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Quathiaski Cannery | Pidcock | Anderson’s

Blue building with two rows of large windows facing the water. Fishing boats in the foreground.

Seine Loft at Quathiaski, 1982, Image 2001 34 3-435 courtesy of the City of Richmond Archives

Quathiaski Cannery's story is an excellent example of how canneries contributed to the growth of communities in remote areas along the B.C. Coast.

1904-1909 and 1910-1941

50°03’03.7″N 125°13’19.8″W

The Quathiaski Cannery was the first cannery in the Campbell River area when it was built in 1904 by the Pidcock brothers on Quadra Island. Although it was originally a small operation, it supplied much needed jobs to the First Nations and Europeans in the area. It was originally named Pidcock but was renamed Quathiaski by W.E. Anderson and W.H. Malkin when they bought it in 1908. In 1909 the cannery burned down and was rebuilt the following year. This rebirth under Anderson’s management helped the community of Campbell River grow and prosper by providing a strong local industry.

The plant was sold to BC Packers Ltd. in 1938 and it burned down in 1941. Although the cannery was not rebuilt, it operated as a fishing camp and net loft afterwards.

Group of men and women posing in front of the Quathiaski Canning Co. store. Signs above the door read: "Quathiaski Canning Co. Limited" and "Telegraph Office."

Anderson's Cannery General Store at Quathiaski Cove. Image C-05586 courtesy of the Royal BC Museum and Archives.

Scale drawing of the Quathiaski Cannery site. It reads: "Quathiaski Cannery- Valdez Island B.C.- Survey Sept. 12, 1923 Plan Dept. British Columbia Fire Underwriter's Association."

Fire plan for the Quathiaski Cannery complex from 1923, with buildings and watersources identified. The family homes of cannery management have been added in with a pencil. Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society Archives G2009.016 Plan 56

Cannery complex and the pilings beneath the buildings are visible at low tide.

Quathiaski Cannery c. 1923 Image B-04111 courtesy of the Royal BC Museum and Archives.