Near Great Central in Alberni-Clayoquot, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

A Versatile Pioneer

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

1. A Versatile Pioneer Marker

Inscription. Sproat Lake is named for Gilbert Malcolm Sproat, scholar, author, anthropologist, businessman, and avid British Columbian from his arrival in 1860. He co-founded Port Alberni's first sawmill in 1861, was British Columbia's first agent-general in London from 1872 to 1876, served on the Indian Land Commission until 1880, and held several offices in the Kootenays until his retirement in 1889.

Erected 1971 by Province of British Columbia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 49° 16.757′ N, 125° 6.838′ W. Marker is near Great Central, British Columbia, in Alberni-Clayoquot. Marker is on Pacific Rim Highway (Provincial Highway 4) 8.6 kilometers east of AW 500, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Great Central BC V0R 1W0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Also see . . . Sproat, Gilbert Malcolm. Dictionary of Canadian Biography entry on the businessman, government agent, Indian reserve commissioner, magistrate and author. (Submitted on February 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

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Gilbert Malcom Sproat (1834-1913) image. Click for full size.

R.H. Trueman via British Columbia Archives A-01770 (Public domain), circa 1870

2. Gilbert Malcom Sproat (1834-1913)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 10, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on February 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and surrounding area in context • Confirm coordinates • Can you help?