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Holberg
Holberg is located 42 km (26 miles) west of Port
Hardy near the north-western tip of Vancouver Island.
Baron
Ludwig Holberg
Holberg was named after Baron Ludwig Holberg, a Danish aristocrat,
(1684-1754) who was made famous for his love for drama and history.
Holberg was originally founded by Danish immigrants in 1907 and
later had the distinction of having the world's largest floating
logging camp, now all gone. Rayonier Canada later established Holberg
Camp and was a major employer in the area during the 1960's.
CFS
Station Holberg
Holberg became CFS Holberg, a Royal Canadian Air Force base, part
of the Pinetree Line warning radar systems, during the Cold War.
Operating from 1954 to 1991, CFS Station Holberg had both an operation
site on top of Mount Brandes and civilian quarters located just
west of Holberg. Today there is nothing left of CFS Station Holberg
with all buildings either being demolished or moved - the majority
to Port Alice.
Forest
Service Road
To get to Holberg, you take the turnoff approximately 1 km (.6 mile)
south of Port Hardy. The paved Holberg Road quickly changes to a
gravel road and travels along an active forest service road so speed
and caution have to be respected at all times, especially for wildlife
and remember to expect the unexpected.
Travelling
Here
The gravel road though into Holberg is well-marked and is maintained
both by highways and the forestry industry. It passes through various
logged-out sections and through thick mountain forests past Kains
Lake and, later, Nahwitti Lake. The trip in takes at least an hour
travelling from Port Hardy to Holberg under normal conditions and
depends on how many graders are working, plus weather and road conditions.
Shoe
Tree
Along the way into Holberg near the east side of Kains Lake, you'll
pass an old Cedar tree snag with a large amount of shoes draped
over it. Nicknamed the 'Shoe Tree,' it was first started in the
early 1970's but has really progressed since 1989 as a joke by local
resident, Tracey Anonson. The Shoe Tree now has hundreds of shoes,
boots, runners and sandals placed on it by passing travellers.
2,000
People
The community of Holberg in its heyday of Rayonier Canada and the
Royal Canadian Air Force had a population of up to 2,000 people.
Today Holberg is quite small, especially since the decommissioning
of CFS Holberg on 17 January, 1991. Most of the 200 or so inhabitants
work directly in the forestry industry or by servicing it. The residents
either live in a section of town called the 'Suburbs' or past 'Downtown'
in a group of company-owned buildings.
The
Scarlet Ibis Pub & Restaurant
If you are looking for entertainment, meeting the locals or finding
a place to eat, the only option is the Scarlet Ibis Pub & Restaurant.
Situated on the edge of Holberg Inlet, the Scarlet Ibis is conveniently
located on the way to Winter Harbour
or Cape
Scott Provincial Park. The pub makes a place to enjoy a much-needed
meal and celebration, especially if you have just completed a hike
into Cape Scott Provincial Park and are craving a change from campground
food.
Holberg
Services
For other services in Holberg, there are the Holberg Medical Clinic
and post office located near the logging operation buildings on
the west side and the Holberg Store, situated near the entrance
of the village, which advertises gas and diesel fuels, fishing charters,
B&B and tourist information. For accommodation try the Holberg
Motel.
- Holberg
Motel - Telephone: 1-250-288-3410
Bear
Country
Just remember if you are enjoying the countryside around Holberg,
please remember this is Bear Country as is the rest of BC. Try to
avoid the rivers during heavy salmon spawning times unless you feel
comfortable with bears around. There is also the possibilities of
encounters with wolves or cougars so please play it safe and practice
good outdoor wildlife procedures.
Information on Holberg
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