Crofton, BC

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For road weary travelers there are several services to assist you in Crofton. Many families and retired couples make home on the forested hillsides around the area. Peace and recreation at their doorstep is shared with all that pass through this slumbering little town.

Arriving by pleasure boat or sailboat, visitors will be protected by the bay and find calm waters to overnight. Caution should be taken around the ferry service route. The day time also offers those who take to the water, great ocean fishing with a beautiful view of Salt Spring Island in the distance.

Population: 2,500+

Highlights:
Maple Mountain - hiking
Japanese Garden
Osborne Bay Regional Park
Chemainus - nearby town, famous for its beautiful historic murals
Old School House Museum

History:
An extinct group of Native peoples known as the 'Tliyamen', translated means 'people of the mountain', once hunted, fished and made home in and around Crofton. However, they vanished several hundred years prior to the arrival of the white explorers.

In the mid-1800's, the town saw surges of growth with the introduction of copper mining and paper mill. This homesteading town was built by Australian-born entrepreneur Henry Croft. His interest lay in developing the prosperous Lenora mine nearby. However, Nanaimo and other ports became laden with the forestry supply, thus Henry established Crofton as a location to mill the excess and house his workers.

Climate:
Summer average 18 degrees Celsius
Winter average 6 degrees Celsius