Historic Fiddlehead Farm
In the past, many people lived off-the-grid (actually, there was no grid) in Coastal BC. They found locations in the bush to grow fruits and vegetables, raise animals and make a living off the local resources, primarily fishing or lumber. In the 1960s, some of the remote locations attracted hippies. One such location was to become Fiddlehead Farm.
The history of the farm goes back to the days when people could stake a claim to vacant land through the pre-emption process. Most likely, it was farmed and the excess produce was taken to Powell River for sale. That way the land could support the family both directly and indirectly.
By the 1960's, the farm was no longer occupied. An American "hippie" visitor to Canada was looking for a place to get back to the land and focus on a different sense of purpose (that's something that Wayne and I can identify with!). The leader was Mark Vonnegut and he wrote about his love for the land and his ultimate battle with schizophrenia in a book entitled The Eden Express.
Fiddlehead Farm the hostel grew out of this 60's generation. People from around the world came to the remote farm. It was a success for many years, but in 2002 it was again sold. It was subsequently logged and the buildings demolished. But Fiddlehead Farm is more than just a place, it is the memories of those who visited there over the years.
Today, Fiddlehead Farm is a frequent destination for quad riders. The meadow with apple trees still remains and it makes a great lunch stop. In the fall, if you can get to the trees before the local bears, you can get some really tasty treats. As I sit under the trees on a warm sunny day, I can imagine all of the people who have lived and visited this little piece of eden.
Powell Lake is an exciting place. Read more about it in Up the Lake available online at www.PowellRiverBooks.com -- Margy
Labels:
ATV,
Book Reviews,
Coastal BC,
History
Posts
Lovely and very interesting post Margy. It looks like a truly beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteNice location and a very interesting story.
ReplyDeleteDirkjogt, Belgium
Thank you for the trip into an unknown world!
ReplyDeleteThat was a very interesting story. I had never heard of Fiddlehead Farm. Nice posting, I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and beautiful memories. I feel a bit sad that it was bought and logged, but your pictures show that it is still a very pleasant place to visit.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the logging, but a great story nonetheless. Beautiful photos of the apple trees in bloom and the old swing.
ReplyDeleteWell done and thanks for the visit.
Troy and martha
Your story of the "Fiddlehead Farm"
ReplyDeleteis a wonderful history lesson of a not so bygone era.
The photo with the apple tree shows what a peaceful place it was and I imagine still is.
Thank you for sharing this story with us and a big thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog.
Bear((( )))
Such an unusual name! Perfect for F:)
ReplyDeleteTHANKS FOR VISITING MINE
Wish I could have lived there
ReplyDeleteLove the old swing in the tree.
ReplyDelete:-)
What a wonderful and idyllic place!
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous!
The quads look a bit out of place and out of time, though! :)
Cheers, Klaus
Thank you to everyone for visiting my ABC Wednesday post. I enjoyed sharing Fiddlehead Farm with all of you. Betty, I think you would have enjoyed Fiddlehead very much. I never got to see it before the destruction, but I have spoken to several people who did go there. I think I would have enjoyed it as well. - Margy
ReplyDeletethat sounds like it was an amazing place to visit then, and still beautiful today.
ReplyDeleteOh, I loved reading this post! Just think how much has changed since the 60's!
ReplyDeleteLast night we were watching a Paul McCartney concert and he mentioned writing 'Black Bird' and the Civil Rights movement and how they went together, and it staggered me to think that in my lifetime, there were separate bathrooms and drinking fountains and different places on the bus for people. Just people.
We do well to remember the past.
A rural post, loved this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for contributing to ABC Wednesday.
Dx
Very interesting :-) It looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteThings are always changing - at least it is a place to still be enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this little memory trip - I was lucky enough to spend a week at Fiddlehead in 2000 and honestly, it was the most peaceful, magical holiday of my life. Paddling on the lake at dawn to the sound of loons and splashing beavers, lazing on the deck of the old cookhouse drinking coffee, chatting under the apple trees in the late afternoon - and concerts on the dock under the moon. It was an incredibly special place... thanks again for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteI was a guest at the Fiddlehead twice, in 96 and 97 - and even had a birthday party up there. These were good times and are a important part of my personal history. Thank you.
ReplyDeletewas just there this afternoon. picked a bag of apples off the old tree and had lunch. not much left but a small shelter and an outhouse. nice to see the place though and imagine what it was like in it's prime. truly sad that these places disappear to greedy logging companies
ReplyDeleteKarl - I haven't been back to Fiddlehead Farm for several years. I never saw it in its prime, but at least before the logging occurred. It had a very interesting history though. - Margy
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Cris Greenwell. I happened upon this blog today and would love to contribute a brief Fiddlehead experience that I had there. I have enjoyed reading everybody's comments and stories on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI spent a glorious summer weekend there in 1983 or 1984 at a yearly healing gathering at the farm. It was referred to as Powell Lake Farm at the time. It was a brief but significant event for me.
I had noticed a poster for the gathering at the Woodlands restaurant on West 4th in Vancouver. My good friend John Harvey had spent some time at the farm a summer or two previously, building structures there with his friend John Altman. He told me about the farm, about Linda and Peter, and how it had been education facility and destination for eco minded travellers. Me being a young bohemian-minded fellow was excited at the thought of being there for the healing gathering weekend.
I connected with a Rajneesh couple in Vancouver that were heading there. They invited me to catch a ride with them. This was my first time being in Powell River. I enjoyed the ride with them very much and stopped in at Bob's (his last name escapes me) first Small Planet little health food store for some healthy snacks.
It was late in the day when we arrived at the Powell Lake Marina. There were probably 15 or so of us there waiting for the boat from the farm to pick us up for it's last trip of the day. When it arrived it was a long welded aluminum utility boat which managed somehow to get all of us and our backpacks, etc into it. I ended up sitting beside a couple of young women and had a a good chat with them during the slow ride up to the farm.
The weather was very warm and nice that weekend. I found myself in a idyllic farm setting surrounded by probably 40-50 wonderful, gentle, like minded people who cared greatly about the environment, organic food and new age spirituality (which I felt very at home with). I met Linda there of course who was so welcoming. Peter was not well by that time so I didn't get a chance to talk to him unfortunately.
The farm food and healing workshops were amazing. There was Shiatsu, Reiki, meditation, massage, past life regression, and many other healing practices. We would gather in a circle every morning for prayer, led by a very capable and loving woman as moderator (who became a good friend many years later).
I slept in the old cedar building and helped out in the kitchen quite a bit. We would swim in Powell Lake in the afternoon. Clothes were optional the whole weekend. We had a fire circle every evening, courtesy of of master fire builder Peter Light from Roberts Creek.
I met my wife there that weekend (who I had first met on the boat ride up), after which I quit my job in North Vancouver and moved in with her in Gibsons. I also met many people there who became close friends.
The experience was brief but wonderful and transformative for me. Frankly it has always made me yearn for a society that was that loving, open minded and supportive.
I visited the farm a couple of other times hiking and talked to Linda on one of the hikes through. I am so grateful to Linda and Peter for everything they created there.