Cumberland’s Japanese Town and Coal Creek Historic Park

By Keith and Heather Nicol

Heather at the main interpretative sign

About 2 weeks ago we headed to this area just outside Cumberland to see what bird life and plant life we could find (see: http://keithnicol.blogspot.com/2019/04/checking-out-cumberlands-coal-creek.html ). This time we wanted to see if the cherry trees were blooming at the historic Japanese town which was located on the outskirts of Cumberland and was occupied from 1893-1942. There is interpretative information about the Japanese who lived here and worked in the coal mine. Evidently up to 36 homes and businesses were built in this area and they lived separately from the Chinese who lived a short distance away and the “white” community of Cumberland which was about 2 km away. Once World War 2 broke out there properties were confiscated and they Japanese were interned in other communities on central BC. In 2009, to symbolize the 31 families who were forcibly removed in 1942,  31 cherry trees were planted in the area of their townsite. 

Heather along a walking path flanked by cherry trees in bloom

    No buildings remain today but this part of Coal Creek Historic Park is well worth visiting to see

Wood ducks can be seen here

the cherry trees which are now starting to bloom and to walk on the paths. To get here drive through the community of Cumberland toward Comox Lake. Next drive past Jumbo’s cabin (on the left) and  park at the Japanese town parking lot (coordinates 49 37.165 N , 125 03.483 W) where there is space for at least a dozen cars. Once you walk through the 200-300 meters of trails through the old townsite, be sure to head along the nearby Wellington Colliery Trail toward the Chinatown Interpretative site. Shortly you will arrive at some ponds and wetlands and on this most recent visit we saw a colourful wood duck, a red headed sapsucker and some hooded mergansers. This area is rich in bird life so is well worth a visit. We also some trillium still in bloom so bring your camera and binoculars. For more information on Cumberland’s Coal Creek Park  see: https://cumberland.ca/coal-creek-historic-park/ 

Hooded Mergansers in the small pond