Partner City
Ucluelet
Hard to Pronounce, Harder to Forget
Ucluelet sits on a narrow inlet on Vancouver Island's jagged and storm-wracked west coast. The sheltered harbour has for millennia been an oasis of calm for the Nuu-Chah-Nuulth people, and so the word 'Ucluelet' in their language means 'People of the safe harbour.' Since the 1870s European and Japanese settlers have been drawn to the great abundance of fish and trees that surround it and a small, hardy community has developed. As those industries have wound down, it is the region's spectacular beauty itself that now draws people here from all over the world.
This project is a partnership with Tourism Ucluelet. We also owe thanks to the generous support of the Ucluelet and Area Historical Society.
We respectfully acknowledge and respect the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ on whose traditional territories Ucluelet stands.
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Ucluelet
Then and Now Photos
Emily Carr's Sketch
1898
A sketch of the Nuu-Chah-Nuulth village across the inlet from Ucluelet made by Emily Carr during her visit here.
The Princess Norah
1930s
The Princess Norah, which serviced Ucluelet from the 1920s to the 1950s, is turning around in Ucluelet harbour.
Towards the Lyches
1900s
A view across a tidal area towards the distinctive white Lyche house. The area has since been filled in to make room for the Ucluelet Harbour Seafoods terminal. You can learn about the Lyches in the People of the Safe Harbour tour.
Maquinna at Dock
1920s
The SS Princess Maquinna moored at Ucluelet's Government Dock.
Maquinna and Lyche Island
1910s
The SS Princess Maquinna can be seen here through the stumps and shrubs moored at the Government Dock. Behind it is Lyche Island.
Passing Port Albion
1910s
A little boat emits a plume of smoke as it chugs past Port Albion and Lyche Island.
Mount Ozzard
1900s
Looking past the Tugwell house towards Mount Ozzard in the distance.
Winter on Main Street
1940s
People standing on Main Street by their cars during wintertime.
