Kains Island Light Station

The first light station was established at Kains Island, at the mouth of Quatsino Sound in 1905.  At the time the Inlet was becoming a bustling centre of industry and the site of numerous homesteads, pre-emptions, and settlements. At times the mouth of the Sound was easy to pass by, as was evidenced by Captain Vancouver's early charts which missed identifying Quatsino Sound completely. The initial light station was unmanned.

VPL Accession Number: 14135

A more permanent light was established in 1910, and Quatsino Sound resident Nels C. Nelson and his wife moved in as the first resident light keepers.

This photo includes Mr & Mrs Nelson in 1911.

VPL Accession Number: 14154

An excellent account of the history of the Kains Island Light Station is provided on the Lighthouse Friends website: http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=1195 .