Thetis Island facts for kids
Thetis Island is a small island and community in British Columbia, Canada. It has about 389 people living there. The island is located between Vancouver Island and Galiano Island. It is also very close to Penelakut Island. Thetis Island is part of a group of islands called the Gulf Islands.
The island covers about 2,560 acres (10.4 square kilometers). It is about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) wide and 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) long. Thetis Island has two main hills. Burchell Hill is 591 feet (180 meters) above sea level. This is the highest point on the west side. Moore Hill is 585 feet (178 meters) above sea level. It is the highest point on the east side.
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Island Name History
Thetis Island got its name in 1851. It was named after a ship called HMS Thetis. This was a large 36-gun ship belonging to the Royal Navy. Captain Augustus Leopold Kuper commanded the ship. Another nearby island, Penelakut Island, was once named Kuper Island after him. The ship itself was named after Thetis, a sea goddess from ancient Greek mythology.
Island History
Before Europeans arrived, two Cowichan Tribes lived on Thetis Island. These tribes were the Yekolaos and the Lilmalche. They were the original inhabitants of the island.
Europeans first tried to settle on Thetis Island in 1874. However, people started living there permanently in the 1890s and early 1900s. The Hunter family was one of the first families to settle on the island. In 1891, Peter and Joseph Hunter bought land there. Today, some of Peter Hunter's family still live on the northern part of the island.
Services and Activities
Thetis Island has homes and cabins for people who visit in different seasons. There are also three Christian organizations on the island. These include Capernwray Harbour Bible School and Pioneer Pacific Camp.
The island also has two marinas where boats can dock. Telegraph Harbour has a small restaurant. The Thetis Island Marina has a restaurant and a pub. There is also a small store with a post office. Many bed and breakfast places offer rooms for visitors. Thetis Island is special because it still has one of the few one-room schoolhouses left in Canada.
Island Climate and Nature
Thetis Island has a mild climate. It gets less rain than the west coast of Vancouver Island. This is because Vancouver Island creates a "rain shadow." This means it blocks much of the rain.
The island is home to many types of trees. You can find arbutus trees, Douglas fir trees, and western red cedar trees. Pilkey Point is a popular spot on the island. From there, both islanders and visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the ocean.
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