Hernando Island facts for kids
Hernando Island, seen from air
|
|
Location of Hernando Island (bottom right)
|
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Salish Sea |
| Coordinates | 49°59′N 124°55′W / 49.983°N 124.917°W |
| Archipelago | Discovery Islands |
| Total islands | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Regional district | qathet |
Hernando Island is a beautiful island located in British Columbia, Canada. It is part of a group of islands called the Discovery Islands. You can find it close to the town of Powell River.
Naming the Island
Hernando Island got its name a long time ago, in 1792. Two Spanish explorers, Valdés and Galiano, likely named it. They probably chose the name after Hernán Cortés. He was a famous Spanish explorer who conquered Mexico. The nearby Cortes Island was also named around the same time.
Island History
In the 1920s, Hernando Island was a busy place for logging. A special type of train track, called a narrow gauge logging railway, was used there. These tracks are narrower than regular train tracks. They helped move cut trees from the forests. This was an important way to get wood out of the island.
Modern Ownership
Today, most of Hernando Island is privately owned. This means it belongs to a group of people who bought large parts of the land. In the 1960s, the entire island was valued at about $55,000. This might sound like a small amount now, but it was a significant sum back then. The island is a quiet place, enjoyed by its landowners.
