Tofino and Clayoquot in the 30s, 40s, & 50s

These three decades marked an important turn in Tofino. War time efforts were acutely felt along the west coast with the construction of a Royal Canadian Air Force right next to Long Beach and the 1942 forced displacement and subsequent internment of Tofino’s Japanese-Canadian residents.

They also marked the beginnings of a more substantial community living of white and Japanese settlers on the mainland and in today’s Tofino.

View of Opisaht and Lone Cone from the water, William Mitchell, 1949 [TCHM-P 97]

View of Opisaht and Lone Cone from the water, William Mitchell, 1949 [TCHM-P 97]

Clayoquot, Stubbs Island, Dawley's General Store visible in the centre, photographer unknown, 1930s [TCHM-P 259]

Clayoquot, Stubbs Island, Dawley's General Store visible in the centre, photographer unknown, 1930s [TCHM-P 259]

Postcard from Chesterman Beach, photographer unknown, 1940 [TCHM-P 363]

Postcard from Chesterman Beach, photographer unknown, 1940 [TCHM-P 363]

Ed Morrison, telegraph operator and his catch of the day, photographer unknown, 1945 [TCHM-P 365]

Ed Morrison, telegraph operator and his catch of the day, photographer unknown, 1945 [TCHM-P 365]

Destruction of the Tofino Imperial Oil dock, photographer unknown, 1938 [TCHM-P 380]

Destruction of the Tofino Imperial Oil dock, photographer unknown, 1938 [TCHM-P 380]

Sports Day at Clayoquot, photographer unknown, c. 1935-1945 [TCHM-P 460]

Sports Day at Clayoquot, photographer unknown, c. 1935-1945 [TCHM-P 460]

Dawley's General Store at Clayoquot, photographer unknown, c. early 1930s [TCHM-P 484]

Dawley's General Store at Clayoquot, photographer unknown, c. early 1930s [TCHM-P 484]

Jacob and Johanna Arnet in front of their home in Tofino, photographer unknown, c. late 1930s [TCHM-P 591]

Jacob and Johanna Arnet in front of their home in Tofino, photographer unknown, c. late 1930s [TCHM-P 591]

CF-FZX Helicopter on the beach in the Tofino harbour, surrounded by onlookers, photographer unknown (possibly Harold Monks), 1948 [TCHM-P 607]

CF-FZX Helicopter on the beach in the Tofino harbour, surrounded by onlookers, photographer unknown (possibly Harold Monks), 1948 [TCHM-P 607]

Musketeer Mining Camp along the Bedwell River, photographer unknown, c. 1940 [TCHM-P 656]

Musketeer Mining Camp along the Bedwell River, photographer unknown, c. 1940 [TCHM-P 656]

Tofino's Lifeboat the Ottawa, photographer unknown, 1953 [TCHM-P 951]

Tofino's Lifeboat the Ottawa, photographer unknown, 1953 [TCHM-P 951]

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1920s
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1960s & 70s