Douglas Island (British Columbia) facts for kids

Douglas Island is a cool island in British Columbia, Canada. It's about 462 acres big, which is like 350 football fields! You can find it right where two important rivers meet: the Fraser River and the Pitt River. Even though it's a good-sized island, no one lives there. It's an uninhabited island. The government bought Douglas Island for $4.5 million from a company called Canadian Forest Products.

About Douglas Island

Douglas Island is special because of its location. It sits exactly where the mighty Fraser River, one of British Columbia's longest rivers, joins with the Pitt River. This meeting point creates a unique natural area. The island itself is mostly covered in trees and natural landscapes, making it a quiet place. Since no one lives on Douglas Island, it remains a wild and untouched spot in the busy Lower Mainland area.

Who Was James Douglas?

Douglas Island is named after a very important person in British Columbia's history, James Douglas. He was born in 1803 and passed away in 1877. James Douglas played a huge role in shaping early British Columbia. He worked for the Hudson's Bay Company, which was a big trading company back then. He helped found the city of Victoria in 1843, which is now the capital of British Columbia. Later, he became the governor of both Vancouver Island and British Columbia. He was a key leader during the time when British Columbia was becoming a province.

How Did the Island Get Its Name?

The island got its name because James Douglas was interested in it. In 1859, he bought all the land lots on the island from the government in an auction. However, the official ownership papers, called a "crown grant," were given to his daughter, Cecilia Helmcken. She was married to Dr. J.S. Helmcken, another important person in early British Columbia. So, even though James Douglas bought the land, it was officially given to his daughter, and the island still carries his name today.