Ladysmith Travel & Tourism, Accommodations, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants & Information

Ladysmith Travel & Tourism

Ladysmith has had it share of personalities over the years. On July 1, 1967 Pamela Anderson was born and became Canada's Centennial baby. Pamela went on to star as C.J. Parker in the TV show: Baywatch. Her family roots run deep in Ladysmith.

Edward Arthur Willson had a vision to form a utopian settlement at Cedar, just north of Ladysmith. He started the Aquariah Fundation and got a lot of people helping him and donating funds. He became somewhat infamous as Brother XII. When the wheels came off, he left Vancouver Island apparently with a lot of wealth.

Arthur James Williams operated the Institute of Mycology just outside of Ladysmith. It was dedicated to mushroom research, however the police were constantly investigating his operation as they suspected a drug ring. Returning on his plane from Vancouver, the plane vanished. No trace has ever been found. He is remembered as the Wizard of Ladysmith.

James Dunsmuir who created a fortune by mining coal, was the founder of Ladysmith. He was elected as Premier of BC and later served as the Lieutenant Governor from 1906-1909. The E&N Railway was built by his father, Robert..

	Ladysmith Travel & Tourism Ladysmith has had it share of personalities over the years. On July 1, 1967 Pamela Anderson was born and became Canada's Centennial baby. Pamela went on to star as C.J. Parker in the TV show: Baywatch. Her family roots run deep in Ladysmith. Edward Arthur Willson had a vision to form a utopian settlement at Cedar, just north of Ladysmith. He started the Aquariah Fundation and got a lot of people helping him and donating funds. He became somewhat infamous as Brother XII. When the wheels came off, he left Vancouver Island apparently with a lot of wealth. Arthur James Williams operated the Institute of Mycology just outside of Ladysmith. It was dedicated to mushroom research, however the police were constantly investigating his operation as they suspected a drug ring. Returning on his plane from Vancouver, the plane vanished. No trace has ever been found. He is remembered as the Wizard of Ladysmith. James Dunsmuir who created a fortune by mining coal, was the founder of Ladysmith. He was elected as Premier of BC and later served as the Lieutenant Governor from 1906-1909. The E&N Railway was built by his father, Robert..
A Steam Donkey at Transfer Beach Ladysmith British Columbia Picture by Lisa Cole
The "Steam Donkey" replaced the donkey for dragging logs out of the woods. A "line horse" would carry the cable out to a log in the woods. The cable would be attached, and, on signal, the steam donkey's operator (engineer) would open the regulator, allowing the steam donkey to drag the log towards it. The log was taken to a mill or for shipment by rail, road or river. In some cases logs were loaded onto boats or floated directly in the water. Donkeys were moved by attaching a cable to a tree, a stump or something very secure and then the donkey would drag itself to a new location. Logging is a big part of Ladysmith's history.