Just 50 families resided in the northern Vancouver Island region by 1950 following the closure of
several World War II military bases. Boats were the primary means of transportation. Cars utilized a
private logging road only accessible to non-commercial vehicles from dusk to dawn. The forestry and
fishing industries were leading employers along with the Island Copper Mine, the third largest copper
mine in Canada until its closure in 1995.

Repeatedly politicians promised construction of an island highway and residents of the northern end of
the island were feeling that they had that carrot dangled in front of them long enough. They were
frustrated with waiting for the fulfillment of the promise of a proper highway connecting them with the
rest of Vancouver Island and in the 1970's undertook a campaign to hold the provincial government
accountable. The campaign was a success, and there is now a good highway, encouraging tourism and
making residents lives much easier. Saluting this victory, residents erected a large carving of a half-
chewed root vegetable in downtown Carrot Park. Its signage reads: "This carrot, marking the northern
end of the Island Highway, is a symbol of government road-building promises, dangled in front of north
island settlers since 1897." ~ http://www.hellobc.com/port-hardy/culture-history.aspx

To see more of our 'Signs: Past and Present' click HERE