Chemainus or Bust: When a town is going bankrupt what do you do?
Tuesday July 12, 2016
Chemainus is one of those Boom & Bust towns that sprang up due to the Logging Boom that got so many communities in British Columbia started. It was a windfall for Chinese immigrants, land owners, logging & supply companies. Once the logging stopped Chemainus faced a daunting problem. Everyone was leaving for work elsewhere. Young people didn't have any interest in sticking around a town without any future prospects so the population was dwindling & Chemainus was looking pretty certain of turning into a ghost town. Then some bright forward thinking individuals got an idea to showcase the towns history & turn it into a tourist town. Throughout the town you will find murals depicting the Chinese, Native, fishing & logging heritage. Now displays & artwork painted on the sides of commercial buildings draw tourists by the bus load to visit beautiful Chemainus.
Chemainus is one of those Boom & Bust towns that sprang up due to the Logging Boom that got so many communities in British Columbia started. It was a windfall for Chinese immigrants, land owners, logging & supply companies. Once the logging stopped Chemainus faced a daunting problem. Everyone was leaving for work elsewhere. Young people didn't have any interest in sticking around a town without any future prospects so the population was dwindling & Chemainus was looking pretty certain of turning into a ghost town. Then some bright forward thinking individuals got an idea to showcase the towns history & turn it into a tourist town. Throughout the town you will find murals depicting the Chinese, Native, fishing & logging heritage. Now displays & artwork painted on the sides of commercial buildings draw tourists by the bus load to visit beautiful Chemainus.