What's with all the Spanish place names on the west coast?
Vargas Island, Flores Island, Estevan Point, Juan de Fuca Strait, Alberni Inlet… even the town of Tofino! Have you ever wondered why there are so many Spanish names here?
Few Canadians today are aware of how strong the Spanish presence was, here on the west coast, just over 200 years ago. The Spanish were actually the first Europeans to make contact with the First Nations people here - four years before the arrival of Captain Cook.
In 1774, a frigate under the command of Juan Pérez was dispatched from the Spanish naval base of San Blas (in Mexico) to explore the coast to the north. In August of that year, the ship sailed into a small cove on the west coast of the Hesquiaht Peninsula, about halfway between Clayoquot and Nootka Sounds. Although none of the Spaniards went ashore - a strong westerly wind pushing them towards the rocky coast forced them to weigh anchor and depart - some of the Hesquiaht natives paddled out to the ship before it left. Contact was made, and gifts were exchanged.