Hatzic Island
Area description
Hatzic Island is an elongated island in the centre of Hatzic Lake, measuring approximately two and a half kilometres in length and six hundred metres wide, narrowing at the north and south ends. Barely connected to the main island at the southeast end is another low area of land called the Everglades, which is subject to flooding. All of Hatzic Island is located within the Fraser River floodplain, with the majority of land at an average elevation of only six metres.1
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was no access to the island other than by boat. Originally, it was heavily forested and uninhabited, but in 1882 the provincial government subdivided the land into a 143 acre northern parcel and a subsequent southern grant of 40 acres.2 At this time the Everglades was not included, as the area was presumably still underwater and did not appear on maps until the middle of the 20th century.3
In 1887, a pioneer named William George McEwan arrived at the shores of Hatzic Lake and chose the island to be his future home, returning three years later to claim the northern parcel and start a farm.4 He was soon accompanied by Franklin Marlon Shook, who purchased the southern section of the island in 1907 and moved there about three years later.5 Both farmers initially had dreams of dairy and cattle, but discovered that the land was “enriched by successive years of flooding”6 and instead made their living from growing berries. In this way, the island and the district acquired its renowned history of fruit farming, with Shook being nicknamed the “Berry King of B.C.”
Over the years, McEwan and Shook slowly sold off their acres of land and the island became more popular for recreational and residential use. The construction of a bridge and of Shook Road, which extended all the way to the end of the island, facilitated its development. The last of the historic berry farms was sold around 19738 and the island is now densely populated with houses, some small hobby farms, private campgrounds, resorts, and mobile home parks. Some of the more well-known sites are Camp Luther, Swan’s Point, Green Acres, Aqua Vista Estates, and Dogpatch Resort.
Endnotes & Additional Information
