Nanaimo, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

Wellington

B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), June 15, 2016

1. Wellington Marker

Inscription. In 1869 Robert Dunsmuir discovered coal in this area. The settlement of Wellington developed after 1871 when coal was transported first by wagon and later by rail to wharves at Departure Bay. When the mines closed in 1900, many of Wellington's buildings were moved to Ladysmith, which had been developed by the Dunsmuir interests as a shipping point.

Erected 1966 by Province of British Columbia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 49° 12.537′ N, 124° 1.28′ W. Marker is in Nanaimo, British Columbia. It is on Island Highway N 0.4 kilometers north of Norwell Drive, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at Long Lake Boat Launch. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nanaimo BC V9T V9T, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: No. 1 Mine (approx. 7.9 kilometers away); Harry Manson (approx. 8.7 kilometers away).

Also see . . . Hidden history of African American settlers in Wellington, B.C. uncovered. Archivist Christine Meutzner found at least 70 black settlers were living in the old mining town

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in 1890s. (Canadian Broadcasting Corp., posted June 17, 2015) (Submitted on February 21, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

The Wellington Inn image. Click for full size.

Unknown via Vancouver Island University (Public domain), 1889

2. The Wellington Inn

The town of Wellington was originally located farther north and west of the present community. When the Wellington mine closed in 1900, most of the buildings including houses, stores, churches, and a large hotel were transported by rail to Ladysmith. The Wellington Inn is still located north of Nanaimo and is one of the oldest pubs and hotels on Vancouver Island.

The Wellington Mine image. Click for full size.

Unknown via Vancouver Island University (Public domain), 1883

3. The Wellington Mine

Robert Dunsmuir began building his fortune after he discovered coal at Wellington in 1869. Three Royal Navy officers provided the capital to develop the mine. By 1883, the Wellington Mine pictured here was producing so well that Dunsmuir bought out his partners for $800,000. Although the mines were very productive and were known for a number of important mining improvements they were the scene of labor strife and several mining disasters. In 1887, striking miners seeking a 20 cents an hour raise were evicted by the militia from their company-owed homes. Dunsmuir broke the strike by using Chinese laborers as strike-breakers. In January 1888, an explosion at the mine killed 77 men.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 629 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3. submitted on February 21, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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