The Powell River Historic Townsite is a marvelous step back in
time, a Hollywood set of small town North America in the 1910s. Except it’s alive with real residents
today. Boys and men shoveling snow. Mill workers reporting for work at the paper
mill, the reason why the Townsite was built 107 years ago.
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| Dr. Henderson's House |
I was in the Townsite at least three times. On the second visit, I was taking pictures
outside the 1929 Federal Building. The brick structure housed the Post Office,
Customs and Excise and the Canadian Telegraph operations until 1974. Now it is a brewery, aptly called the
Townsite Brewery. You can sample and buy
their bottles inside. Their Perfect Storm
brew is something to “brew” for!
A lady postal carrier was passing
by and asked if I am looking for a good place to eat. Pleasantly surprised at her friendliness, and
it was lunchtime, I asked stupidly, “Can you tell I am a tourist?”
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| Sharlene - the Friendliest Mail Carrier in the World |
On my third visit, I saw her
again and thanked her for recommending the café inside the 1931 former Bank of
Montreal. By the time you read this, a
yoga studio has replaced the eatery in the spacious (the size of a basketball
court) huge glass windows, high-ceilinged cavity with shiny hardwood floors cased
in by brick walls.
We had a lovely chat and Sharlene
gave more suggestions on what to see in the Townsite. She told me there is a lady who works for the
Rodmay Hotel (first built in 1911 as Powell River Hotel) who may be willing to tour
me inside.
Sharlene was all-smiles, and
unobtrusively helpful. The world needs
more people like her.
Thank you Sharlene and hope we
reconnect when you get a chance to visit Vancouver.
To be continued …
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