View source for Hernando Island

{{Short description|Island in British Columbia, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Hernando Island
| native_name      = <!-- or local name to remove the "native name:" prefix -->
| sobriquet        = <!-- or nickname -->
| image_name       =
| image_size       =
| image_caption    =
| image_alt        = Map of the Discovery Islands.svg
| image_map         = Map of the Discovery Islands.svg
| image_map_alt     =
| image_map_size    = 250px
| image_map_caption = Location of Hernando Island (bottom right)
| location         = [[Salish Sea]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|49|58|58|N|124|55|08|W|display=inline,title|region:CA-BC_type:isle}}
| archipelago      = [[Discovery Islands]]
| total_islands    = 1
| major_islands    =
| area_km2         = 11
| area_footnotes   =
| rank             =
| length_km        = 5.2
| length_footnotes =
| width_km         = 3.6
| width_footnotes  =
| coastline_km     = 21
| coastline_footnotes =
| elevation_m      = 85
| elevation_footnotes =
| highest_mount    =
| Country_heading  =
| country          = Canada
| country_admin_divisions_title     = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| country_admin_divisions           = [[British Columbia]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1   = [[Regions of Canada#British Columbia|Region]]
| country_admin_divisions_1         = [[Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)|Sunshine Coast]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_2   = [[List of regional districts of British Columbia|Regional district]]
| country_admin_divisions_2         = [[qathet Regional District|qathet]]
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}}
'''Hernando Island''' is one of the [[Discovery Islands]] on the coast of [[British Columbia]], Canada. The isle is in the [[Salish Sea]] between [[Campbell River, British Columbia|Campbell River]] and [[Powell River, British Columbia|Powell River]].<ref>{{BCGNIS|13911|Hernando Island}}</ref>

==Natural features==
The land area is {{convert|2710|acre|km2|0|order=flip}} and coastline is {{convert|21|km|mi|0}}. The island has a [[oceanic climate|temperate oceanic climate]]. The maximum elevation is {{convert|85|m|ft|0}} and mean elevation is {{convert|51|m|ft|0}}. The 92 per cent tree coverage is primarily [[pine]] and [[fir]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://world-islands.net/details/hernando/#geography-and-size |title=Hernando | website=world-islands.net}}</ref>

In the 1890s, Stag Bay was the only good anchorage, being a sandy section along the rocky shore.<ref>{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0063249#p57z-3r0f:%22Stag%22 |p=58 (404) |title=Crown Land Surveys annual report, 1891 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>

==First Nations and explorers==
The traditional territory of the [[Tla'amin Nation]] (formerly called Sliammon) includes the smaller off-shore islands such as Hernando. Underground houses for fortification have been unearthed on the island.<ref>{{cite thesis | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/media/stream/pdf/24/1.0058414/1 |last=Angelbeck |first=William O. |pp=14, 263 (3, 252) |title=They Recognize No Superior Chief: Power, Practice, Anarchism and Warfare in the Coast Salish Past |year=2009 |type=PhD |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Along with the nearby [[Cortes Island (British Columbia)|Cortes Island]], it was named in 1792 by [[Cayetano Valdés y Flores|Valdés]] and [[Dionisio Alcalá Galiano|Galiano]] after [[Hernán Cortés]], the Spanish conqueror of Mexico.<ref>{{Google books| 0gY1AQAAMAAJ | The Year Book of British Columbia 1897 |page=78}}</ref><ref>{{Google books| 9IP4V-Hyt-4C | British Columbia Place Names. 1997 |page=111}}</ref> Although the Spanish never settled the area, these names remained.

==Logging and farming==
Non-native settlers farmed and logged from the 1880s, but most had moved on by the early 1900s. By 1915, [[Michael Manson (politician)|Michael Manson]] had extensive landholdings, and the family managed the Campbell River Lumber Co. operations on the island. In 1912, Locomotive #2, a [[Shay locomotive|Shay]], was bought from the bankruptcy trustee of the [[Leonora and Mt. Sicker Railway|Lenora Mt. Sicker Railway]] (LMSR), and run first at Campbell River, then on Hernando Island. Assumedly, the Shay retained the {{convert|3|ft|m|1|adj=on|order=flip}} gauge of the LMSR. The [[Narrow gauge railways|narrow gauge]] [[Forest railway|logging railway]] transported logs across the island to the Stag Bay pier for dumping into the ocean and towing to a mill. Operating until 1920, the locomotive was wrecked and scrapped. After logging ceased about this time, some family members remained as farmers.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://cortesmuseum.com/museum/pioneer-life-exhibit/logging-on-hernando-island |title=Logging on Hernando Island | website=www.cortesmuseum.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://keeneyeweb.wordpress.com |title=The Railway on Mount Sickler – Part 2 | website=www.wordpress.com}}</ref>

[[File:Hernando Island 2018.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Northeastward view of Hernando Island, 2018]]

==Community==
During 1893–1899, the post office operated<ref>{{cite web |url=https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=posoffposmas&IdNumber=27969 |title=Postmasters (Hernando) |website=www.bac-lac.gc.ca}}</ref> and the school was open.<ref>{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0063607#p4z-3r0f:%22Hernando%22 |p=5 (508) |title=Public Schools annual report, 1892–93 |website=library.ubc.ca}}<br />{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0063354#p1z-3r0f:%22Hernando%22 |p=2 (630) |title=Applications for New School Districts, 1892–93 |website=library.ubc.ca}}<br />{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0064017#p9z-3r0f:%22Hernando%22 |p=10 (230) |title=Public Schools annual report, 1898–99 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>

In 1962, Prince Wilhelm zu Wied of Koblenz on the Rhine paid $80,000 for the island.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-province-german-prince-the-buyer/145265354 |p=23 |title=Province |date=23 Aug 1968 | website=www.newspapers.com}}</ref> but sold it to a syndicate in 1972.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/whitehorse-daily-star-whitehorse-daily-s/75031919 |p=2 |title=Whitehorse Daily Star |date=23 Aug 1972 | website=www.newspapers.com}}</ref> The ownership company was bought by 50 shareholders in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vancouver-sun-john-nichol/145266635 |p=6 |title=Vancouver Sun |date=25 Oct 1975 | website=www.newspapers.com}}</ref>

The property title for owners is represented by shares in the co-operative. A specific lot is attached to each of the 52 shares. The island has a resident caretaker, dock, [[helipad]], community garden, and tennis and basketball courts.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://stubell.com/listings/exclusive-opportunity-on-hernando-island |title=Ownership Interest in Hernando Island |website=stubell.com}}</ref>

==Transportation==
A weekly [[steamboat]] service commencing in the early 1890s<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/daytele/1.0078877#p1z-3r0f:%22Cortez%22 |p=2 |title=Daily Telegram |date=9 Nov 1893 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> lasted until around 1910.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://bccd.vpl.ca/title/1910/Henderson%27s_BC_Gazetteer_and_Directory_Part_1.html |title=1910 BC Directory |website=www.bccd.vpl.ca}}</ref>

During 1895, the {{convert|665|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} government wharf was built.<ref>{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0063737#p48z-3r0f:%22Hernando%22 |p=49 (401) |title=Commissioner of Lands and Works, 1895 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> When beyond repair,<ref>{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0064237#p163z-3r0f:%22Hernando%22 |p=F164 |title=Commissioner of Lands and Works, 1901–02 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref> this wharf at Stag Bay was replaced in 1903 by a floating {{convert|450|ft|m|0|adj=on|order=flip}} one.<ref>{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0384215#p124z-3r0f:%22Hernando%22 |p=E125 |title=Commissioner of Lands and Works, 1902–03 |website=library.ubc.ca}}</ref>

Nowadays, scheduled summer services for passengers and freight from Campbell River are provided by Way West Water Taxis<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.waywest.ca/souther-scheduled-runs |title=Qaya Way West Transportation |website=www.waywest.ca}}</ref> and Discovery Launch Water Taxi.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://discoverylaunch.com |title=Discovery Launch Water Taxi |website=discoverylaunch.com}}</ref> CorilAir operates [[floatplane]]s.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.corilair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Directions-for-Hernando-Is.-2022.pdf |title=CorilAir: Hernando Island Customers |website=www.corilair.com}}</ref>

{{Commons category}}

==Nearby islands==
Due north are [[Cortes Island]] and [[Twin Islands (British Columbia)|Twin Islands]]. Southwest is [[Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park|Mitlenatch Island]]. Southeast is [[Savary Island]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DiscoveryIslands}}

[[Category:Islands of the Discovery Islands]]
[[Category:Spanish history in the Pacific Northwest]]
[[Category:Defunct British Columbia railways]]
[[Category:Narrow-gauge railways in British Columbia]]