Texada Island Quarries

Nearby Texada Island is well known for its rock quarries.

My quarry photos come from Texada Island, just off the coast from my home in Powell River, BC. Texada is the largest island in the Strait of Georgia running from Powell River south to the Sechelt Peninsula. It is 50 kilometres (31 mi) long and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) wide. The west side of the island forms the border of the Malaspina Strait, a popular passage for boaters heading for the anchorages of Desolation Sound.

Texada was named by José María Narváez during the Spanish explorer's expedition of 1971. In fact, there are many Spanish place names in our area. In 1876 iron ore was discovered on the island, followed by copper in 1898. In 1910, the Pacific Lime Company and BC Cement started limestone quarries on the island.

High quality marble from Texada went into building construction here in Canada and in the States. You will find marble quarried on Texada on the facing of the Vancouver Post Office. There are still active quarries on Texada including the Blubber Bay Quarry, Imperial Limestone Company and Texada Quarrying. Limestone is used in aggregates, cement grade limestone, agricultural lime and many other products.

Texada Island is more than just quarries. It is a quiet, rural destination for residents and visitors alike. Take a ferry from Powell River to discover the historic villages of Van Anda and Gillies Bay, the wonderful campground at Shelter Point, and many hiking and ATV accessible back roads, and over 100 kilometres of pristine coastline to explore. -- Margy