Lund

from Coast Salish roots to Swedish settlement to present day eclectic

Lund is located at the end of Hwy 101 and at the gateway to world famous Desolation Sound.

Lund as seen from the north entrance to the Harbour

Lund Hotel from water (click to enlarge)

The Dome Wilderness Getaway (click to enlarge)

Sevilla Island Resort (click to enlarge)

Content courtesy of The Lund Hotel except where otherwise noted

The area now known as Lund was previously “Gl'amin”  to the Coast Salish people and was a year round village site of the Sliammon and neighboring Klahoose and Homalco peoples. Gl'amin was attractive as a permanent residence for a variety of reasons. The area was accessible by land and sea and its strategic location allowed the residents to detect travellers early and determine what action was appropriate; greeting or defence. The close proximity to many traditional land and sea resources made day to day life convenient. The short paddle to Áyhus (Savary Island) and Tuxwnech (Okeover Inlet), where shellfish, salmon and land mammals were abundant, made for efficient gathering, fishing and hunting. The area itself provided ample fresh water and its significant amount of cedar was an important resource for the production of tools, shelter, clothing and more.

Gl'amin was also a site of many cultural and spiritual activities and occasions for the Coast Salish peoples. Ceremonies that included dances and songs were attended by the local family groups as well as by other nations from the southern coast and Vancouver Island. Some of the events were social and recreational in nature, allowing the young people of the different family groups to meet. Gl'amin was also a meeting place where important issues with the potential to affect the daily life of Coast Salish communities were discussed.

In the later years of the 19th century however life changed forever for the Coast Salish as the forest industry, probing ever further into the fjord-like reaches of the BC Coast brought with it European settlers. One of these was Frederick Thulin, a 16 year old Swedish emigree who was travelling by tugboat to Pendrell Sound where his brother Charlie worked as a logger. Fred saw the protected cove and mentally filed it away, logging with Charlie for the remainder of 1889 before returning to present day Lund in late December, where he named it after the Swedish city known for its university, cultural museums and heritage. Thus began the intertwining of historical roots from the Salish and Swedish cultures that makes Lund still unique in modern-day British Columbia.

Fred and Charlie worked hard to develop Lund into a thriving coastal waypoint. Their experience as loggers proved valuable - they logged the forest behind them to gain the lumber and building materials for the first wharf, which soon became regularly used by logging company tugs looking for a convenient drop-off location for mail and supplies for forestry workers in the vicinity. By 1892 Lund was one of only two certified post offices operating north of Vancouver, and the advent of scheduled steamship delivery service from Vancouver put to rest the daunting hardship of rowing to the city. A store and additional buildings added to the community's growing commercial core.

One of the most ambitious developments to occur at Lund was the building of the original Lund Hotel in 1895... a coup for the coastal BC community as it was the first hotel permit issued anywhere north of Vancouver. Other firsts followed, such as obtaining the first liquor licence issued north of the Burrard Inlet. And just in case the locals or visiting loggers got out of hand after imbibing the now readily-available liquor, alternative accommodation was to be found in the  hotel's on-site "jail cell" in the basement of the building.

A second hotel, the Malaspina, was built in 1905 and was later renamed the Lund Hotel after the first and original property was destroyed by fire in 1918. A boat-building business added to the bustle of activity around the harbour, and soon the Thulin's tugs, scows and gas boats were in active use around the region.

Today Lund is still a hub of coastal activity. The bustling harbour is home to a fleet of commercial prawn boats, sail boats, recreational motor vessels, and the barge and water taxi services that deliver people and goods to Savary Island, known for it’s friendly summer residents and white sandy beaches.  The small community of Lund is a destination in and of itself for nature enthusiasts who want to discover Desolation Sound, coastal inlets and islands. Services include several boat charters and excursions, guided and bareboat kayak rentals and lessons, scuba diving, snorkeling, bicycle rentals, interpretive hikes and more.  Nancy's Bakery is famous for delicious breads and incredible sticky buns. The Boardwalk restaurant offers a great view over the harbour, unique decor and great casual food.

The regentrified historic Lund Hotel remains the heart of this small community. Restored in stages since new ownership took over in 2000, it now features 31 fully renovated guestrooms including a new wing of boutique style oceanfront rooms, a restaurant, pub, meeting facilities, general & liquor store as well as art gallery. On a sunny day the decks of the Lund pub and restaurant become a favorite perch for locals, guests and boaters passing through.  The SunLund RV park offers well groomed tent and RV sites as well as several cottages.

Lund also allows access to the back country. Beautiful lakes invite for an afternoon swim and back country hiking on the Sunshine Coast offers some of the most beautiful scenery on the coast.

Water taxi is popular for Savary Island jaunts and
supply and service runs to outlying boat-access only areas