Once on board, we will venture through the Quatsino Narrows to Quatsino. Quatsino is a special place, filled with friendly people who enjoy living in an isolated community. The oldest building on the North Island is also located in Quatsino, a woodland chapel called St. Olaf's Anglican Church, a popular site for weddings. It was built in 1897. Quatsino was originally settled by Norwegian farmers from North Dakota who arrived via steam ship in 1894 when they answered the call to colonize, homestead and farm thirty 80-acre (320,000 m2) lots offered free through Crown Grants- publicized at the Chicago World Exposition of 1893. Soon freight service to Victoria was established, along with a post office and customs office and a government wharf. The area grew as resources were developed and the area boasted numerous mines, canneries, general stores, rental cabins, a hotel, a saloon, telegraph office and an Imperial Oil fuel station. The village was a thriving community up until the 1940s. The post office is still in operation and two cemeteries mark the history of the community. Located approximately one mile north of the community is Colony Lake, a favorite swimming spot and a popular destination for canoeing and lake trout fishing.
