Parksville History, British Columbia

Parksville is a historical city in the state of British Columbia, Canada. Parksville has been settled a long time ago by the Coast Salish native tribes. In 1791, Spanish were the first who settled in this area. Parksville is situated on an outstanding waterfront and it was originally named McBride Junction.  

In 1870, John Hirst was the first person who visited this area and in the next decade, the settlers from other parts of the country moved into this area to find their settlements. Parksville was named after Nelson Park who was one of the most popular personalities of this area.  Nelson Park was a renowned postmaster and he left his name in the history of Parksville.

John Hirst built a dike near the Englishman River to secure more land. Later the farm was leased to Theophilis Dupuy. John Hirst was the first non-native settler in this area. In 1887, Englishman River Post office was renamed as Parksvill post office. All the mails of Parksville were routed through the Parksville post office.

In 1978, Parksville became a town and after few years it got the status of a city. Due to Parksville’s historical and cultural importance it became a great tourism spot in the British Columbia, Canada.

The area of Parksville was first known as Englishman River. It is said that an Englishman drowned while crossing the unnamed river. In 1855, this area was surveyed by Adam Grant for Hudson Bay Company.

Mary Rath was the first white child born in this area.

In 1889, the boundaries of Parksville River extended from Englishman river to French Creek. In 1890, the community of Errington was established in Parksville.

In 1891, Nelson Park resigned as a postmaster and in 1892 Andrew Hirst was appointed as a new postmaster of Parksville. After the death of Andrew Hirst in 1900, her sister-in-law was made the new postmistress of the town of Parksville.

In 1911, Mr. and Mrs. H. K. Harison established a Harrison's resort and operated it for many years.

In 1975, a free weekly newspaper was started in Parksville. In 1978, Parksville got the status of a city.

In 1983, Craig Heritage Park was started in Parksville. Craig Heritage Park exhibits the monuments of ancient times.

In the 1900s, the area was divided into lots. In 1911, the Merchants Trust and Trading Co. Ltd purchased this land to make it a great tourism center. The Qualicum Beach Inn, golf course, hotels and restaurants were built to make it a wonderful tourism spot.

Parksville has long history, unique culture and traditions. According to a recent consensus, the population of Parksville is more than 11,000 inhabitants. Parksville is located on a scenic highway known as the Oceanside Route and on the north of Nanaimo. Visitors traveling along the Oceanside Route also enjoy the scenic views of Deep Bay, Campbell River, Bouser, Qualicum Bay, Union Bay, Merville, Black Creek and Oyster River.