The Town of Ladysmith, with funding assistance from the Canadian Millennium Partnership Program embarked on a presentation of a "Heritage Artifact Route". This project resulted in a living illustration of the Mining, Logging, Marine and Railroading history of The Town.

Artifacts are on display all through the town allowing you to explore a real "hands on" tour of all the facets of the history of Ladysmith. Climb on a tractor, pull at the track switch handles. Experience the history by actually seeing and touching the things that contributed to the town's history. Most of the artifacts can be found along First Avenue, but if there are specific instructions to location they will be with the pictures following this.

On this page small thumbnail pictures appear in this "virtual tour". Clicking on any of them will open a large screen picture. Use your back icon which will return you right back here. For a quick tour of the town you can click on the individual letters on the map above. Move your pointer over the letter and when it changes to a hand left click. This will bring the picture of the item. Just use your "back" icon to return to the map. Please, enjoy your tour!

A: SHIP ANCHOR
Located in the centre of the traffic roundabout, it was retrieved from Ladysmith Harbour in 1962 by employees of Crown Zellerback. It is thought to have been from an early sailing vessel. It does not show, but there is also a nice fountain spray making it a very interesting entry to The Town.

B: LADYSMITH FAIRGROUNDS SIGN
The concrete Recreational Fairgrounds sign was originally placed over a gate at this corner to mark the Agricultural Hall built in 1922. For many years this was the fairground. It is located in the field above the Aggie Hall.

C: FORDSON TRACTOR
Henry Ford after selling his car company moved to England where he built the "Fordson" tractor. He could not use the Ford name, so Fordson was a contraction of Ford & Son. In the late 1920's this tractor although originally designed for farm purposes was used for hauling logs.

D: THE DIAMOND RAIL SWITCH MACHINE
All the logging and mining companies used a private railway to the docks. These tracks had to cross the E&N railway. They waited for the "switch man" in his tower to set the switch machine allowing them to cross the tracks. The tracks formed a "diamond" so the name stuck. It was the place last place the miners could board the train to the Extension Mines. A small community, and a fire hall that still stands were there. The Society has the actual "blue print" and radio that the switchman used to do his job.

F: FORDSON DONKEY
Donkey engines came in many forms. Originally used on shipboard and referred to as "the donk" they were adapted and renamed "Donkeys". This one is a modified Fordson tractor. It was used in logging and to repair rail bridges. It is interesting to note that is was capable of hauling itself on and off rail cars where it was moved to various work sites.

G: CATERPILLAR TRACTOR
This tractor was used by the Comox Logging Company in Ladysmith in the early 30's. It mainly hauled logs for loading on rail cars.

H: 49TH PARALLEL CAIRN
As Ladysmith is located on the 49th parallel this cairn marks the location. It was dedicated in 1958 and signifies the change of Ladysmith from a municipality to a Town. Located in front of the Post Office.

I: MINE ORE CAR
In 1902 a copper smelter was built on Mt. Sicker (8 miles SE). This car, and cars of this type were used to haul the ore out of the mines. It is filled with original ore from the mine. The rails are small gauge and the car can be turned and dumped from either side. They were hauled out of the mines by horses or donkeys. The job of handling the horses was usually given to boys. Located beside the CIBC Bank.

J: KNIGHT'S CLOCK
This clock was originally mounted on Knight's Hardware Store. Until a fire the store stood near this exact location. For many years it served as the official time and meeting place for the residents of Ladysmith.

K: METAL COLLAGE
Pictures on this collage depict the history of Ladysmith. Metal artifacts represent the mining, logging and railway in the region. Pictures are courtesy of the Ray Knight collection. It was prepared by the Ladysmith Revitalization Advisory Commission and built by the students of the then "Malaspina College" (now Malaspina University College). Located in front of the Royal Bank.

L: OLD HIGHWAY SIGN
The restored highway sign gives a brief insight to the establishment of Ladysmith. An interesting aside is the fact that up until 1922 we drove on the left side of the road. When it was changed many "keep to the right" signs had to be placed on the highway. We have pictures of Ladysmith showing cars parked on the left side of the road.

M: WATER PUMP
This one cylinder gasoline water pump was built by Fairbanks Morse, patented in 1860. It was used to provide water from small streams to Steam Donkey Engines located up to 5 miles away. It developed 6 horsepower, less than a modern lawn mower. Located off the highway beside the City Hall. The engine part is on right, the pump is on the left.

N: COMOX LOGGING LOCOMOTIVE #11
Built in 1923 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works Eddystone, PA. The Comox Logging Company purchased it in 1937 and used it continuously hauling logs from the Nanaimo Lakes. It was retired in 1961. Overhauled for display it was given to Ladysmith in 1962. Technically it is a 2-8-2 (based on the wheel grouping) and was called a Mikado as many of that design were sent to Japan. The lights and Maker's Plate have been removed for security, however there will soon be a secure enclosure to protect it. To find it go to Oyster Bay Road, best found off the road to Transfer Beach.

O: HUMDIRGEN
This interesting piece of logging equipment was built and used in Ladysmith. It was self propelled and used to unload logs off logging cars into Ladysmith harbour. It started off as a "Shay Locomotive", the same type that is on display at the Forest Museum in Duncan . The hook was used to push the logs off the log cars into the water. Similarly a chain could be used to lift the logs off as well. The stairs and walkway were added for display purposes to allow visitors to "get up close and personal". Located next to Number 11 above.

P: TUBE TUMBLER
Locomotives and Donkey Engines used pipe tubes to heat the water in the boilers. Carbon would build up, so periodically the tubes were removed for repair. This machine rotated the tubes to allow carbon to be removed from the outer surfaces. Stones, bits of metal and all sorts of things were in a drum and literally knocked the carbon off the tubes. Located next to the Humdirgen.

Q: WEIGH SCALES
Coal cars arriving at the harbour had to be weighed. This mechanism was located on the rails and allowed cars passing over to be weighed before being unloaded. Purely mechanical the "weigh master" would record the weight of each car at the weigh station. Located on the road to Transfer Beach.

R: STEAM DONKEY
Water was pumped from nearby streams and wood was burned to fuel the boiler. Steam donkeys were a huge improvement over the oxen and horses that were previously used to haul logs to the loading areas. In the early 1900 many areas had "skid roads" which were used to drag the logs down. An aside is Seattle Washington had one right through the middle of the town. After the logging boom the area was taken over by the derelict part of society and the phrase "living on Skid Road" was coined. It was contracted to "Skid Row". We are also quite fortunate to have had an association with probably the last steam inspector in British Columbia. Robert W. Swanson. He was the inventor of the whistle used on most locomotives and boats was a patron of our original Ladysmith Railway Society. Located on the road to Transfer Beach.

S: BOOM BOAT
These little boats, often called "West Coast Sidewinders" were developed here in BC specifically to move logs in the water to create "booms" The propeller was right in the middle and the operator could turn a complete circle without moving an inch. That is why they are called "sidewinders" as they actually can move sideways. Heavy plating and design made them virtually unsinkable. Expo '86 featured a ballet in the harbour of a half dozen of these little boats. On the sand of Transfer Beach. Children love to play on it.

T: HARPOON GUN
Technically not a Ladysmith artifact as we did not participate in whaling. But the ship this gun came from a vessel that operated out of Ladysmith Harbour, so it is a relic of other enterprises than logging and coal mining that worked from our area. Located at Transfer Beach

U: MARITIME ARTIFACTS
The Ladysmith Maritime Society on the waterfront has assembled many artifacts of our maritime history. Just one of many is the mast and anchor from the "Rivtow Lion". This vessel spent many years working convoy duty during the Second Word War. New docks and display facilities offer displays and tours of our harbour. This can be hard to find. When you are at the Number 11 locomotive take the dirt road down to the Maritime Society Dock. They have a sign directing you to "Sailing Lessons".

NOT SHOWN ON THE MAP: THE LADYSMITH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The archive is located at #4 622 First Avenue and is open Tuesday and Thursday. They are eager to research and preserve the history of Ladysmith. Located in the building immediately to the north of the Post Office.

Acknowledgements:

A lot of details and the map is from a brochure created by the Town of Ladysmith
in partnership with the Canadian Millennium Partnership Program.

Many volunteers and organizations are responsible for the acquisition, placing and maintenance of these artifacts.

Map is by Catwalk Design.

Photographs are by Thomas Wagner and Historical Society collections.

Original copyright, The Town of Ladysmith.

Updated June 26, 2007 by Thomas Wagner