imagine being here

Ocean Falls was formerly a seasonal village used by the Kwakwa and Nuxalk and was known as Liak, meaning 'falls', the Bella Coola Pulp and Paper Company acquired the surrounding land in 1906, having identified the impressive potential of hydro power generation

from the large water falls, where Link Lake emptied into Cousins Inlet. Building housing, a sawmill, school and hospital in the years running up to completion of the dam, Ocean Falls became an operational company town in 1912 and home to the largest pulp and paper mill in

British Columbia for many years to come.

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Ocean Falls quickly became a thriving town, boasting one of the largest hotels (and swimming pools) in the province and a population that had grown to 3500 by the 1950's. Eventually though, the rising costs of the modern world made a remote company town inefficient to run and the latter day owners ceased operating it as such in the 70's, with the provincial government keeping the mill operational until 1980. Today the population has trimmed down somewhat...to less than 50 people.

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However, elements of the towns productive history still stand proud and 'Company House' which was built in 1917 to accommodate visiting company officials, directors and dignitaries in its four private suites has continued to be lovingly cared for across the last century and still exudes, the character, charm and style of the era and folk for which it was designed.