Port San Juan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Port San Juan |
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Port San Juan from Port Renfrew
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 Port San Juan
Location in Vancouver Island
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| Location | Vancouver Island, British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 48°33′17″N 124°26′53″W / 48.55472°N 124.44806°W |
| Ocean/sea sources | Strait of Juan de Fuca Pacific Ocean |
| Settlements | Port Renfrew Gordon River 2 |
Port San Juan is a beautiful inlet located on the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. An inlet is like a narrow arm of the sea that reaches inland. This natural harbor was shaped by two large cracks in the Earth's crust, called the San Juan and Leech River faults. The San Juan and Gordon rivers both flow into this inlet from the northeast.
The small town of Port Renfrew is found on the southern shore of Port San Juan. It is located close to where the San Juan River meets the inlet. You can reach this area from Victoria by taking Highway 14. Another way is from Lake Cowichan using the Pacific Marine Circle Road. You can also arrive by boat from the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
History of Port San Juan
Early Spanish Explorations
The First Nations people of Vancouver Island have an old story about a Spanish trading ship. They say it arrived on the island's southwestern coast in 1777. The Spanish sailors anchored their ship in the harbor and traded with the Nitinat Natives.
The Spanish explorers reportedly found gold in the San Juan River. They tried to collect this gold. However, the Nitinat Natives and the Spanish expedition had a conflict. The Spanish expedition was defeated. Two Spanish women were taken by the Nitinat Natives. Later, another Spanish expedition found them and helped them return.
Sadly, the later Spanish visitors accidentally brought a sickness, smallpox, which spread among the Nitinat Natives. There is some evidence that supports parts of this story. Spanish ships, like the Santiago, did explore the west coast in the 1700s. Records also show conflicts between Spanish explorers and First Nations. This story is believed to be the first time gold was discovered in the San Juan River.
