Coombs, British Columbia

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Coombs is a small community on Vancouver Island in the Regional District of Nanaimo, British Columbia, situated on provincial highway 4A approximately Template:Convert west of Parksville. According to the 2021 census, Coombs is home to 1672 people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Coombs is known for its Old Country Market (also known as Goats on the Roof, which features a family of goats living on the roof), Butterfly World (which includes a small indoor tropical rainforest), the 106 year old Coombs Fall Fair, and the Coombs Bluegrass Festival <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> held at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds every B.C. Day weekend.

History

The area was historically inhabited by the Coast Salish peoples, including the Snuneymuxw First Nation, who have lived in the region for more than 5,000 years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Etymology

Coombs was established as a settlement in the late 19th century. The settlement of Coombs began to grow during the early years of European colonization. The area was named after Commissioner Thomas Bales Coombs, head of the Salvation Army movement in Canada in the early 1900s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Salvation Army honoured Coombs' retirement in 1911 by naming the new colony after him. Commissioner Coombs never visited the area.

European Settlers

In 1908, Walter Ford built a log house that is still standing today on the Alberni Highway.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The community was established in 1910 under a Salvation Army emigration plan, in which people were relocated from crowded cities in Great Britain to Canada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Walter Ford, of Ford Logging from Duncan, and his brother-in-law John West, were tasked with preparing Errington for the arrival of the newcomers from England.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The newcomers were led by Ensign Crego. Crego was trained in farming skills.

In 1911, the General Store was built, which also served as the Post Office. This building functioned as a general store until 2021, and is now a store selling Dutch products.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1910, a log cabin that had previously been the residence of Willian Buss was used as the first school house.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1912, the French Creek School opened at the request of the Coombs' Salvation Army Colony. The school was the first government built school in the area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The school closed in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1913, the first annual Fall Fair was held in neighbouring Hilliers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1921 the Coombs Community Hall opened.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1923 the Fall Fair was moved to Coombs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Climate

Under the Köppen climate classification, Coombs is located at the northernmost limits of the cool dry-summer subtropical zone (Csb) or cool-summer Mediterranean climate, due to its dry summers.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

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