Born in Ocean Falls in November 1949. Left with my parents in July 1950. I returned in July 2019 after a dream came true to go back again. Yep, made it back after almost 70 years. This video is something I will cherish until my last breath. Thank you Still North Design and my compliments to the host and production crew (only 2?). Great job!! Totally!!!!
70 yrs old still saying totally lol ,must of spent a little time Cali or the valley at some point very cool story ,should take the ferry out one day 40 sum odd dollars sounds like you would enjoy it 👍
Jett Jo johnson ... I am not sure what lead to your “not relevant” comment. From what I can see, the current number of 101 likes posted in response to my sincere comment of gratefulness far outweighs your insult. I had a dream to go back to my birthplace and I fulfilled my dream after 7 decades. My wife of 45 years accompanied me. Any further insults are not required. Your silence is all that is asked.
Wow you are such a great person and awesome story I would love to go up there and check it out for a while I'm from Los Angeles but I did live in Calgary before
Sometimes the power of the internet really amazes me. It's incredible to hear from people that actually lived there! What an entirely unique way/place to grow up.
People’s comments are absolutely captivating stories about their time in Ocean Falls. From birth to immigrating this town deserves so much more recognition in our history books. Well done Dustin…greetings from ON 🇨🇦
I was born in Ocean Falls and lived here until our family left in 1973. My mother’s mom and dad lived here and my mother was raised here and lived here most of her life until the mill closed. The bowling alley of which you speak was located on the right hand side of the road leading up to the dam. We called the building the “big hall” - it housed a big hall that was used for recreation, the bowling alley and the swimming pool. Across the street and down just a little ways was the movie theatre- these were well used by the residents of Ocean Falls. Our family home was on 5th street at the bottom of the wooden hill - right across from the old elementary school that burned down. It is hard to watch the video of your hometown where you have the fondest memories of your childhood in such disrepair ☹️. I have been back once to see it like this and hope to bring my husband there next year so he can see where our family roots originated from❤️
This is so emotional for me. I lived there 71-73.Just turned 55. Lived in Martin Valley and when my Dad died we moved into that apartment building. Still simply the most beautiful place I ever lived . I have so many vivid memories. We would fly in on a goose or gander or go on the Northland Prince by water. Yes been to Namu too. Loved going way down the docks on Link lake and jumping of the boathouses. I remember the snow going over the windows and the police coming out on their skidoos to bring people to town or bring out groceries. Named my oldest daughter after a older teen girl named April i met and she made an impression on me. Thanks for making me cry.
The best thing about this video is the way it inspired so many people to tell about their and their family's experiences there. That added another dimension to it. Thanks.
I lived in the hotel in 1985 for a year. In those days the town although long since shutdown was far more intact it seemed as though everything thing was in place except the residents. The first room you where in while exploring the hotel was the ball room referred to in my time as the blue room. The second was the bar. The hotel housed the following amenities to name a few morgue, radio station, town hall, library, lion’s club, leather working shop, pottery/ceramics shop, wood working shop, bar, dance hall, bowling alley, dentists office, town office, a bakery ( that once supplied the entire central coast with all things baked) and a huge cafeteria. Thinks for the walk down memory lane.
Canada the most irrelevant country on earth. Simply the 51st state of the United States of Global Terrorism. And these Canadian people can't see what they've all become.
My dad grew up in ocean falls. His dad worked for the mill and managed the bowling alley. Dad worked as a pin setter at the end of the alley. He also worked as a ‘boom’ man running on the log booms. I only recently heard how he worked as a tour guide in the 1950’s too tourists showing them the town and explaining the mill operations Thank you for the tour.
I lived in ocean falls for a few months. My dad was mayor for awhile, and fire chief, it was a truly untouched amazing place. I am glad someone else knows of it.
I just feel a profound sense of sadness watching this. Seeing homes and places where people lived out their day-to-day lives, raised kids, made their special memories... Imagine the city where you were born or your childhood house falling into this kind of decrepitude. All I could think of while seeing the inside of the seaside house was how many birthdays, anniversaries and Christmases that living room might have seen, now slowly rotting away and crumbling into sad, forgotten disrepair.
So true when our homeless population is growing but nobody will help rebuild these towns to help house our homeless so many abandoned buildings across Canada and the government just wants to keep giving the money to refugees from other countries leading us into depression the problem is none of the governments want to help their own communities
@@lukesmith8547is that really what you think the problem is? Like if they just had a roof over their head they would not be addicted to opioids? There's tons of free housing opportunities already but drugs aren't allowed so they don't get utilized lol This was in 2011 I learned this at work. Before the opioid crisis even. There was an entire apartment opened with security on each floor for the homeless. Food and other basic medical and mental health services were given as well. One of many buildings that do this. What ended up happening is they built a homeless camp right outside the apartment property line. Hundreds of tents where they can freely do drugs and then have access during the day to the services for free. The apartment was eventually demolished after about 8 months. That's where I came in for work. Where I live now they repurposed an old hotel for this and it is being understandably petitioned by residents because they don't want to walk their kids to school passed this situation. You don't just give them a house sadly
Thanks for this video. I worked in Ocean Falls in 1956/57. My uncle was a paper maker and lived there many years to its closing. He got me a job there and for a 19 year old city guy, it was quite a adventure. I worked in the power plant for a while but ended up in the Fire Department. Imagine, a 19 year old driving a big fire truck and a Willys Jeep pump unit. What a experience in a fire hall too. I left Ocean Falls for a vacation early 58 and the big city keep me. Always wanted to visit Ocean Falls again for a lot of years but didn’t, happen. It was a great place at the time and seeing it now in your video is very sad to see. Anyways, thanks again, and I will look for more of your videos.
Born there! Never been back and this video is fantastic. Gives me a chance to see it. My dad was an Executive Chef at the hotel back in the day. The stories were that it was incredible.
@@geenaskeena7216 They did make pulp and it burned the foliage around the mill. Later pulp was shipped in in barges and they only made newsprint there with two paper machines.
My dad grew up in Ocean Falls until he was about 13. He talks about being apart of the Rain People and about the town. Even though he was only 13 when him and my grandmother left, he remembers the wooden roads and the town vividly and talks about it all the time.
My parents came over from Switzerland (separately), and met and married in Ocean Falls, where they had lived for a year or two (around 1957). They moved away shortly after, so none of us children grew up there. But I believe my Mom lived in the Hen House, and worked in the Martin Hotel restaurant. One funny story: my Mom flew in on a float plane, but she'd never been on one, and didn't know they landed on water (she didn't know much English at that time). As it was heading down towards the water, she got panicky about what was happening, but when she looked around, none of the other passengers were alarmed, so she stopped panicking, and shortly after the plane landed on the water!
I lived and worked in Ocean falls from 1974 to 1978. There are many stories to tell. Thanks for the video and the memories. Living there changed my life in many positive ways. Many years later I still get excited when I bump into someone else who has been there. To me it is a very special place and none other like it. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for this video. I was in Ocean Falls in 1979 working for a mining company as an exploration geologist. The town was in much better condition at that time, the hotel was still occupied by the owner , there were people still living there. The mill was mothballed but a skeleton crew was still maintaining it.The rcmp detachment was recently closed and the end was near. It was a shame. A lot of the houses were still in liveable condition , I considered buying one and moving there. Hard to believe how much has changed. Too bad you could not have seen it , I will never forget the eerie feeling of walking through the streets , looking at the houses still in fine condition, streetlights still on yet nary a soul. Felt like a living apocalypes movie. Thanks again for the memories.
I must have been there not that long before as a child - we were on our way to Bella Bella to visit a friend of my dad’s who was an RCMP officer there, and we stayed one night with an RCMP officer in Ocean Falls so the detachment was still there then.
My Parents lived in Ocean Falls back in the early 50s. My older sister was born there in 56. My father worked at the mill during the day and then went and built a house in Martin valley. My mother worked at the bank. I grew up listening to many stories of their time there
Another unique history fact. Ocean Falls was the center of the Canadian mens swimming in the 60s and 70s. Multiple Olympians, Olympic medals, world record holders came out of here. They were a powerhouse in the world. There is book by Jack Kelso about it.
I live in Ontario but I remember hearing about the men's swimming team all coming from Ocean Falls B.C. and I was amazed how such a small town could produce so many world class swimmers.
Lived there in 1976, worked for the Bank of Commerce / CIBC. Loved & hated it. Loved the scenery, the people, the fresh air. Hated the remoteness, the lack of amenities, dreadful TV reception. Thanks for the tour, I would have enjoyed wondering around.
I didn’t have a tv. The TV tower / receiver signal shot over the town of Ocean Falls therefore the tv picture was extremely grainy and not worth watching.
I am retired Alaska Marine Hwy worker. On the Bellingham to Ketchikan run (no stops in between for us), sometimes, when time allowed, we would bypass going through Bella Bella and head up the fjord to Ocean Falls. We would stop in the harbor below the falls, do a looky loo, take a few pix and head back on out. It is a beautiful place and was a nice change for us on the ferry. I have no idea what the few people who lived there thought about us out in their harbor! Nice video and great to see what it looks like up close and learn a bit of history about it
This sounds like the beginning of a horror movie. You do a 23 and me DNA test, and a week later you receive a strange phone call regarding the results of sequencing of your genome. The person on the phone says that some things are still up in the air, but she requires a DNA sample from your mother in order to confirm her findings. We set off on a journey to Ocean falls in search of your Biological mother. However when we get to our destination we find that things aren't as they should be in .... OCEAN FALLS!!!! dunnn duuun duuuunnnnn !!! (p.s. not trying to make fun or anything. Just bored silly)
@@adamgouge9363 Just keep writing. Be a movie before you know it . Mom will step forward out of the shadows just in time to save the adult child's sanity. Blah blah...you're writing it .
My aunt,uncle and cousins moved to Ocean Falls when my uncle left the Royal Marines. His brother had a job in the mill and got my uncle a job as a painter there. When the mill shut they moved to Vancouver Island. My cousins enjoyed their life there, it was completely different from a small English village.
My mother in law use to live in Ocean Falls as a child in the early 50's. Her dad was in the RCMP. It was a pretty happening back then when the mill was in operation...Now, not so much. One of the things she remembers is the rain...the rain, the rain, the rain.
I recognize that hotel in the thumbnail anyday! Ocean Falls, My father was born there. My family worked there years ago. I miss ocean falls, its a wonderful wonderful spot. Haven't been back for over ten years. Thanks for the memories man.
This brings back memories . I lived there from 72 to 78. Moved out when I was 8 years old. Our house over looked the plane ramp and we could see all the ferries come and go. I always felt safe there and everyone knew each other. My dad worked at the mill and really got his start in the trades there. Thank you for the trip back in time.
Here I am ‘catching up’ on checking out so many of your amazing videos. I love how you respectfully visit these remote areas and then explain this journey . Love your work, thanks a million.
This was fascinating to watch and learn about! Thanks for posting ... and also a big thank you to Anne Corke for sharing her old photos of Ocean Falls, they added wonderful context. Ocean Falls is now on my list of places to experience!
I remember Ocean Falls when it was still a thriving little town. The hotel was truly magnificent. The town also had an indoor swimming pool that produced several champions. It also had an RCMP detachment, movie theatre, baseball diamond. All the houses in the main town were heated by steam from the mill. There was a co-op and a Sear catalog store. The Northland Prince used to bring in supplies every couple of weeks. The houses were truly beautiful. The one funny thing was the numbered roads began at tenth. There was another part called martin valley it was a couple of kilometres out of town and it was the suburbs. Almost everyone had a vehicle. The lake above the town IIRC was actually a series of lakes thus the name Link Lakes. My dad was a commercial fisherman and it was one of our favorite stops.
@@DavidSmith-sb2ix I don't recall an old bookshop but there was a great little pub in the hotel, I was to young to get in.....if you know what I mean. All the proceeds from the pub went to building and maintaining the Olympic class indoor pool. They actually had several swimming champions and one that went to the Olympics
@@michaelb9529 Who stayed at the hotel, tourists, factory or maintenance workers? It seems to be a big hotel for a remote place like this. Someone's suggested that the guests were people brought in to do maintenance work at the mill.
Wow! You really a sparkling nostalgic light on this little town... thanks for the post! Do you have any pics from your childhood... be so interesting to see a couple!
Living on the Van Island I’ve not heard of Ocean Falls. Very interesting and thanks for venturing out and opening our eyes! Also... the comments are fascinating with all the posts from former residents and their explanations of how it was in years gone by... thanks for all your posts and memories!
My Uncle worked there as a young man after high school in the early 60s. This is the most I've ever seen of the place. Fascinating. Never knew it had so much in its heyday, nor that it was that 'old' - a 1926 power dam and a Japanese town! Amazing.
Thank you so much for posting this. I was born their in 1964 and left when I was around 3 or 4. Back in 2015 I decided to take my mom who was having memory issues, my godmother and husband their so that I could see it since I did not remember anything about it. We had an amazing journey, the same route that you all took. I had intended on doing a video then but never finished it. This may have been the inspiration I needed :-) Although my videos would never see this much activity. Outstanding job, and thanks again for sharing my birthplace with so many...
So This social distancing thing has shown me. I am pretty happy by myself. So much so that I would willingly become a resident in one of those fixer upper houses. In that abandoned neighborhood section. I have grown a little bit tired of all the opinionated people. I could embrace the hermit life.
I want to know would it be possible to grow or raise livestock and grow a garden and be self-sustaining there because the scenery is beautiful and the clean water is something wow therefore there must be good fish and they must live off Hunting but other than meat what else do they eat just curious
I was born in ocean falls in 1949. My was the youngest of 6 and born there in 1926. Her father was paymaster for cr z and the town photographer. You didn't tell that it had the only Olympic size swimming pool for years. Mark Spitz trained there. My mother made the Olympic diving team but her dad would not let her go. Check any employee records for that time to see if the name Gregor is on it. My dad came there in 1945 at the end of the war. He was the electrical Gorman. He was a Buxton from Victoria, one of 14 . He was born in Fort for hill. We left ocean falls in 1956. This video is the first time I've seen it since other than in family pictures.
Great video. Thanks for uploading. Never been to Ocean Falls but went to school with a buddy who grew up there. Years later I worked with a fellow who had worked at the Ocean Falls pulp mill. The fellow I went to high school with, he and his brother won a medal for saving the life of a boy in a small river- I assume that was in Ocean Falls. They were quite young at the time, but strong swimmers and managed to swim a strong stream go bring the boy to safety at risk to their own lives.Their live-saving deed was so heroic they received a second medal for it, a national medal. Good tour. I've subscribed to your channel. Thanks for uploading.
Ocean Falls in 1962- I was a baby wrapped in a blanket when my mother tripped on one of those old board walks. She said that I went sailing out into the air and landed with a slide across the mud.
When I travelled around Canada, I once stayed with an elderly couple from Surrey. The husband was originally from Germany (like me) bit migrated to Canada (Ocean Falls specifically) because he loved the wilderness up there. He told me lots of super interesting stories about the place but this video is the first time that I actually see what the place might have looked like. Really interesting to watch and now I’m wondering what the guy that I stayed at would feel like if he saw this. Thanks for the great tour of ocean falls!
Canada the most irrelevant country on earth. Simply the 51st state of the United States of Global Terrorism. And these Canadian people can't see what they've all become.
Worlds End Ok and who exactly asked for you opinion? Just shut up nobody cares about your view of Canada. It’s almost objectively one of the most beautiful countries on earth.
My dad bought a cabin in the 90’s in ocean falls I spent a lot of time there. beautiful place great memories. Cool to see a place I know well, on your channel
I was one of the last cooks to work in the hotel before the town was shut down.I have nothing but fond memory's of my time spent there . The rain capital of B.C , but the summer's at Link lake were heaven !
What an incredible video.thank you for making this so that the viewers like me can learn more about some of Canada’s history. So amazing how many people left comments. This made it so interesting. You’re a great documentarian.
I worked on the other side of the river, and spent a good amount of time taking pictures of ocean falls. but I took two ferries a plane and a water taxi boat to get there instead of the ferry. that room you were in was a banquet room, The bowling alley was below the main floor where i am not sure you went too. along with a pool ( i believe). there are tons of VERY cool places that you might of missed or left out of editing. a room with glass jars with bones in them, the abandoned mini green house in the top floor of a house that looked like it was used for drugs. baby bears would walk down the roads. , The most beautiful sunsets would great you. I sailed around the world and back and besides being in the middle of the atlantic ocean this place had one of the best sunsets you will ever see in your life.
Great video and the weather was with you ! Wish I was 20 again with better knees , your travels make me feel like I’m there with you ! Don’t stop your adventures , take more videos / pics and only leave your foot prints . The very best ! Bob 😊😎
Thanks a lot for sharing that video. I lived in Ocean Falls from 1974 until the mill closed in 1980. Some of my fondest memories are from the time I spent there. There's no other place like it. I lived in the hotel for a couple of years and attended many a legendary party in the Blue Room. I got married by a JP in the old hospital. Total cost of the wedding, $8.00. I've only been back once since we left, just a brief stop when the ferry went in there. I'd love to go back again for a longer stay sometime. The words of Joni Mitchell have never been more appropriate than about Ocean Falls. "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got til it's gone."
awesome, I'm so glad you made this video. I explored Ocean falls a few times while I was flying seaplanes in and out of there about 10 years ago. I remember exploring the old hotel. and I guy that was living there gave me a tour of his house. Enjoyed reliving that in your video.
I was in Ocean Falls for a few days in the summer of 1978. Spent my last 10 dollar travellers cheque on a bottle of rum at the liquor store by the hotel.The mill and the town were very busy at that time. We were hand logging a few inlets away from Ocean Falls. We left our house boat and log boom to go to Bella Bella for supplies one weekend. When we returned we found our houseboat was set adrift and log boom cut open. Found out later it was people from Ocean Falls and Martin River didn’t want us logging in that area and tried to run us out. Well, it didn’t work!! My relatives ended up living in Ocean Falls in the early 80’s for a couple of years....
Dustin, this is an amazing adventure to watch. Thank you for taking us back to a time when the world was simple. My Grandparents, Mother and Aunt lived in Ocean Falls in the 40s. Was a hive of activity. My Grandfather worked in the pool, taught swimming, and a lifeguard. I remember his many tales and stories. Thank You Dustin, and friend...
Only 5th and 10th street were wooden. Lived in Ocean Falls as a child in the 70s and remember it well. It was an interesting place to live. I recall Soviet freighters coming in to pick up bulk rolls of paper and the crew having shore leave. They bought shopping carts of ice cream and chocolate bars and we helped push them to the ball field that was up by the top of the damn. What you called the old park looks like what we called the burned down school. The area you call the VIP houses were only regular houses . I lived in one of them. Each year the town did a clean up, the Sharks, Barracuda and Killer Whales were the teams. The winner had the biggest garbage pile from cleaning the town. As kids, age 5, 6 we had run of the town, except on the occasions where grizzlies were coming down into the town. Some changes to garbage pike up and security resolved that. I have an old post card of Ocean Falls some place.
Thanks for sharing your experience there...it helps bring a bit of life back into the place. I'm interested because I live in mining country in Northern Manitoba...and there are a couple of towns around that are headed the same way as Ocean Falls because the mines closed up. Lynn lake is one...Sherridon and Leaf Rapids are a few more.
@@markanthony3275 Small isolated towns with one sustaining industry and not a hub for travel are challenged with urbanization and the economics of sustaining the town. Some places may have a natural draw and who knows, post CV19 people might be looking for some remoteness. Another memory from OF - each year spring kicked off with a rally to clean the town. There were three groups, Sharks, Barracuda and Killer Whales. Each group assembled garbage collected in the parking lot and the biggest pile won. I also recall the movie theatre being $1. Fifty cents got you in and the .50 got you pop and popcorn.
Liked the video, brought back a number of memories! Lived there for three years s a kid in the early 80's. The pump house was were they added the chlorine, that's when my dad didn't turn it off. He was the townsite plumber. lol
Wow...I was in Ocean Falls back in the 70's when I worked for BCFP at Crofton Pulp&Paper...got to go up for a tour with my Dad...it looked a LOT different then...lol...great video guys...all your stuff is awesome...keep it up and thank you...
My Mother lived in Ocean Falls when she was first married.She told me it rained so much that she would cry longing to be back in Victoria where there was some sunshine.Thanks for sharing this video
Considering the cloudiness and rainfall Victoria has, this must be pretty rainy, all right! The whole coast gets tons of rain. I've been to Prince Rupert 6 times on my way to Haida Gwaii, and it's been raining each time.
Family lived in Ocean Falls in mid 70s. We were first housed in the hotel, then Garden Apts., finally bought a house in the Valley ... like a suburb a few kms from the main town site past the slide area. Is it still accessible? In the hotel, the tile area surrounded by carpet was a dance floor in the pub. Popular hang out.
My uncle is the man in this video and I lived there for just over a month with him in the old bank inn. Such an amazing place and there is not a lot to do........ but yet everything in world to do! Most amazing place. I loved seeing this Thanks man.
Great video, thanks for posting. Also, you found a sunny day in Ocean Falls. Well played. Spent some time there a few years ago. Went into every building I could find that was open. Martin Inn - the bowling alley was in the basement. Super dark, collapsing roof pouring water. Scary, but cool to see that bit of history. Lots of great stuff in the rooms upstairs. Old Boy Scout hall, sewing club, Rotary club, and 100+ hotel rooms. I’ve also been in the Boralex buildings across the river. The infrastructure that was left behind is staggering. Would’ve been looted decades ago if it was accessible. Crazy time capsule in the nether-regions of the coast. Recommended to all.
Having done urban exploring for a few decades, I always get nervous when I hear "Oh, the floor is quite spongy". Been in many buildings over the years where you don't commit all your weight on either foot in case one goes through the floor. Great video...excellent narration and appreciate the historical research ya's did.
This brought back many memories. I have a picture of my dad playing pool in the hotel pool hall. We lived on Falls Street, alongside the dam. There was a schedule and sirens to warn of the opening of the gates. We used to picnic on the massive boulders. I haven't been back since leaving in 1970. There are those who say it's worth the trip, others who say remember it as it was. I'm leaning towards making the trip :)
When the mill shut down a lot of people came to Powell River to work in the paper mill there, that's where I met some of them and listened to there stories of living in Ocean Falls. They had a big swimming pool for a rec center and a lot of Canada's top swimmers came from there. Sad to see the place rotting away. Another great video. thanks
I live in Alberta and often venture into B.C. Love your channel. Keep up the good work. Some of your adventures look like a lot of fun! You open my eyes to places I would love to see!
I was hoping that you would make your way to Ocean Falls......A lot of people moved from Ocean Falls to Kitimat after Papermill closed. I went through school with a few kids whose parents relocated to Kitimat after the mill closure. My Dad was part of a group that flew into OF to interview and recruit mill workers to come to Eurocan Pulp and Paper in Kitimat......sadly the weak US dollar back in 2010 resulted in the mill in Kitimat closing. Ocean Falls produced some very good swimmers a few coached the swim club in Kitimat back in the 70's. Another challenging place along the BC coast: Surf Inlet!
I lived in Kitimat as a kid but we lived there before our move to Ocean Falls. Actually lived in Guelph Ont before the move to OF. Kitimat is still my parents favourite and most memorable place they lived...and we lived in a lot of towns.
My Canadian wife and I went there around 1979 to visit her childhood friend Karen and her husband Mike. They worked for the mill in some capacity. All very active at that time. Enjoyed being there very much.
I've spent 3 days in Ocean Falls back in 2016, it was awesome. Home of the rain People. I really really loved it; the only thing that prevent me from buying a home there is the fact I'm alergic to fixing stuff/do renovation, and outsourcing renovations(they come in with barges) come with a very high price. Else I'd be living there now. I remember speaking with the gentleman resident featured in this video. Thank you for sharing this exploration.
Just found you, wow, such natural beauty!! I am from Idaho in the US, which is also beautiful~~~~~~~but Canada is also glorious! Thank you for showing me Ocean Falls!
Brian Bidiuk That would have been around the same time as me,and the same age. What I remember is wooden roads,always dressing in yellow rain gear. Rain. And more rain. Also I think the gas station having a fishing tournament for kids and my brother catching a fish at the lake.
Thanks for this, and all your other videos, Dustin. I discovered your channel a week ago through this video and binge watched all the ones before it. Great stuff! I've been to Ocean Falls 15 years ago via a 40 foot boat my Buddy owns. We came up from North Vancouver in it and toured all over the BC Coast. Ocean Falls was in marginally better shape than you found it, but not much. I have dozens of photos of it. When I was at UBC, one of my Dormmates was from Ocean Falls and he used to tell me stories about living there; so I always wanted to see it. I never found out much more until decades later when I met an Electrical Foreman (Dave Owen) at the Crown Zellerbach (Fletcher Challenge) Mill in Campbell River (which is also closed down now) who was born and raised there. He worked at the Mill until it closed and then moved to their Campbell River operation. He told me about fishing for oodles of trout behind the dam, the power station and all kinds of stuff. I had to post to thank you for the memories, before I started checking out the rest of your videos.
I lived in Bella Coola for more than 30 years; my kids grew up there. Beautiful country!! I spent the night on a boat in Ocean Falls but never got to wander around. The mill was still running when I first moved there. Thanks for the video. Have you ever been to Namu? Another out of the way place but there's probably nothing much left there now. I was there about 30 years ago for about a week or so. There was still some old cabins there where the Chinese people lived who worked in the cannery.
Just commenting to save time stamp 4:16 because omg the scenery is beautiful! 😍 I've watched it a few times and got friends and family to watch that part too! I'm not a fan of snow or being cold but that would be so amazing to see in person!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
So sad to see such a beautiful place falling apart. Ocean falls would make such a wonderful destination place to people, but it takes someone with lots of money and onsite. Thanks for sharing this with us. BC
I was thinking that doing a video about Ocean Falls would be right up your alley. I want to really thank you for doing this as I was born in Ocean Falls way back in 1964. My dad worked at the mill for about 6 months, and then we moved back to Vancouver Island. While I was born there, I have never been back since my parents left. I often tell friends that I was born in a ghost town. Watching your video allows me to experience my place of birth, since I suspect that I won't be able to make a trip out this way. I also wanted to point out that this is the second video that you have made with a personal connection. You also did the one on Vernon Pick's mansion near Lillooet, where my dad worked for a while, and I was there when his house was being built. Thanks again for your awesome videos.
This was very informative. I am gald you didn't just walk around showing stuff with little knowledge. You had someone who knows the town talk about it. I also appreciated the amount of caution you took going through each building. It's nice to see an explorer be responsible.
Seems like a good place to be right now. Thanks for making this episode. I've never been to Ocean Falls, but always found it's history fascinating. Beautiful landscape. And the bears were probably still asleep, lol.
I very much appreciate this video. I don't know why, but my emotional response to this is just... staggering. I am almost at the point of weeping. Any sort of crying is a good thing in my estimation, so this is a weird catharsis, as if i can feel the dashed hopes of those lives that transpired here. Really amazing, spooky, beautiful, stuff, which would not be available if not for you, who made this video, and posted it.
Not dashed hopes. It is a town that gave a unique experience and upbringing for many, myself include. The memory of Ocean Falls left a deep mark on me.
@albert speer-bear Crying is Nature's tension release valve which for far too long has been denied to men by ignorant societies. Trying to shame a man who shows a sensitivity towards others makes you and others like you the real wimps cuz you're afraid to cry. Manly men have the guts to defy the dictates of ignorance
My Dad worked at the mill his first job outside of Quebec. I wasn't born when he was there. I have heard him speak of Ocean Falls often growing up, he has a special place in his heart for it!
Born in Ocean Falls in November 1949. Left with my parents in July 1950. I returned in July 2019 after a dream came true to go back again. Yep, made it back after almost 70 years. This video is something I will cherish until my last breath. Thank you Still North Design and my compliments to the host and production crew (only 2?). Great job!! Totally!!!!
They have no roads because they are lazy.
I like this.
70 yrs old still saying totally lol ,must of spent a little time Cali or the valley at some point very cool story ,should take the ferry out one day 40 sum odd dollars sounds like you would enjoy it 👍
Jett Jo johnson ... I am not sure what lead to your “not relevant” comment. From what I can see, the current number of 101 likes posted in response to my sincere comment of gratefulness far outweighs your insult. I had a dream to go back to my birthplace and I fulfilled my dream after 7 decades. My wife of 45 years accompanied me. Any further insults are not required. Your silence is all that is asked.
Wow you are such a great person and awesome story I would love to go up there and check it out for a while I'm from Los Angeles but I did live in Calgary before
Sometimes the power of the internet really amazes me. It's incredible to hear from people that actually lived there! What an entirely unique way/place to grow up.
Ocean Falls is great for children to grow up in. I lived there from age 3 (1960) to age 10 (1967). I still miss it to this day.
People’s comments are absolutely captivating stories about their time in Ocean Falls. From birth to immigrating this town deserves so much more recognition in our history books. Well done Dustin…greetings from ON 🇨🇦
I was born in Ocean Falls and lived here until our family left in 1973. My mother’s mom and dad lived here and my mother was raised here and lived here most of her life until the mill closed. The bowling alley of which you speak was located on the right hand side of the road leading up to the dam. We called the building the “big hall” - it housed a big hall that was used for recreation, the bowling alley and the swimming pool. Across the street and down just a little ways was the movie theatre- these were well used by the residents of Ocean Falls. Our family home was on 5th street at the bottom of the wooden hill - right across from the old elementary school that burned down. It is hard to watch the video of your hometown where you have the fondest memories of your childhood in such disrepair ☹️. I have been back once to see it like this and hope to bring my husband there next year so he can see where our family roots originated from❤️
Hey. We lived at 525 5th St., right at the waterfront end with a view of the harbour. My dad was the town dentist from 1958 to 1967.
hey at least you came from a really nice area I perish the thought if bringing anyone back to where I grew up its not a nice place at all
Hi Jill, would you happen to have known Diane Sandiford?
Corey kishman Sorry no that name is not familiar to me.
A beautiful place to grow up. Despite the buildings, the scenery never changes. It must get really cold though. A lot of snow and ice?
This is so emotional for me. I lived there 71-73.Just turned 55. Lived in Martin Valley and when my Dad died we moved into that apartment building. Still simply the most beautiful place I ever lived . I have so many vivid memories. We would fly in on a goose or gander or go on the Northland Prince by water. Yes been to Namu too. Loved going way down the docks on Link lake and jumping of the boathouses. I remember the snow going over the windows and the police coming out on their skidoos to bring people to town or bring out groceries. Named my oldest daughter after a older teen girl named April i met and she made an impression on me. Thanks for making me cry.
robynn ballard so happy I could bring this moment back to you.
I was there for something less than a year in 1970-71. Left on the Northland Prince in 1971.
robynn ballard that’s a great story. Thanks for sharing.
awesome story
It's amazing how quickly mother nature reclaims things left behind in places like this
The best thing about this video is the way it inspired so many people to tell about their and their family's experiences there. That added another dimension to it. Thanks.
I lived in the hotel in 1985 for a year. In those days the town although long since shutdown was far more intact it seemed as though everything thing was in place except the residents. The first room you where in while exploring the hotel was the ball room referred to in my time as the blue room. The second was the bar. The hotel housed the following amenities to name a few morgue, radio station, town hall, library, lion’s club, leather working shop, pottery/ceramics shop, wood working shop, bar, dance hall, bowling alley, dentists office, town office, a bakery ( that once supplied the entire central coast with all things baked) and a huge cafeteria. Thinks for the walk down memory lane.
Abundant hydro power, a pottery shop, a remote wilderness setting, and no people? Sign me up!!
Canada the most irrelevant country on earth. Simply the 51st state of the United States of Global Terrorism. And these Canadian people can't see what they've all become.
Worlds End LOL 😂, You Are An Amusing Conspiracy Theorist
@@worldsend9659 --> WTF are you babbling about??! Better keep your tinfoil hat on a little tighter bud!!
My dad grew up in ocean falls. His dad worked for the mill and managed the bowling alley. Dad worked as a pin setter at the end of the alley. He also worked as a ‘boom’ man running on the log booms. I only recently heard how he worked as a tour guide in the 1950’s too tourists showing them the town and explaining the mill operations
Thank you for the tour.
You have a story to tell....tell us.
@donfs S my dad set pins in the 50s. When did you? Did you know the Mcleans?
I lived in ocean falls for a few months. My dad was mayor for awhile, and fire chief, it was a truly untouched amazing place. I am glad someone else knows of it.
And 700k of us do too
Damn, mayor and fire cheif
I remember the fire truck. If you needed your boat pumped out the fisherman would just go and grab the fire truck and job done
@@yahstino ... like most small towns. The guy just turns his hat around and the other title is on the other side!
I just feel a profound sense of sadness watching this. Seeing homes and places where people lived out their day-to-day lives, raised kids, made their special memories... Imagine the city where you were born or your childhood house falling into this kind of decrepitude. All I could think of while seeing the inside of the seaside house was how many birthdays, anniversaries and Christmases that living room might have seen, now slowly rotting away and crumbling into sad, forgotten disrepair.
So true when our homeless population is growing but nobody will help rebuild these towns to help house our homeless so many abandoned buildings across Canada and the government just wants to keep giving the money to refugees from other countries leading us into depression the problem is none of the governments want to help their own communities
"Don't be sad that it's over, be glad that it happened"
Nature reclaims! THAT is beauty and hope.
@@lukesmith8547you really don’t get economics or free will.
@@lukesmith8547is that really what you think the problem is? Like if they just had a roof over their head they would not be addicted to opioids? There's tons of free housing opportunities already but drugs aren't allowed so they don't get utilized lol
This was in 2011 I learned this at work. Before the opioid crisis even. There was an entire apartment opened with security on each floor for the homeless. Food and other basic medical and mental health services were given as well. One of many buildings that do this. What ended up happening is they built a homeless camp right outside the apartment property line. Hundreds of tents where they can freely do drugs and then have access during the day to the services for free. The apartment was eventually demolished after about 8 months. That's where I came in for work.
Where I live now they repurposed an old hotel for this and it is being understandably petitioned by residents because they don't want to walk their kids to school passed this situation.
You don't just give them a house sadly
Thanks for this video. I worked in Ocean Falls in 1956/57. My uncle was a paper maker and lived there many years to its closing. He got me a job there and for a 19 year old city guy, it was quite a adventure. I worked in the power plant for a while but ended up in the Fire Department. Imagine, a 19 year old driving a big fire truck and a Willys Jeep pump unit. What a experience in a fire hall too. I left Ocean Falls for a vacation early 58 and the big city keep me. Always wanted to visit Ocean Falls again for a lot of years but didn’t, happen. It was a great place at the time and seeing it now in your video is very sad to see. Anyways, thanks again, and I will look for more of your videos.
Born there! Never been back and this video is fantastic. Gives me a chance to see it. My dad was an Executive Chef at the hotel back in the day. The stories were that it was incredible.
My parents met there in 1963 when they both worked for the pulp mill.
Cool where they met,
And cool that you know,
There has NEVER been a pulp mill there ???
@@geenaskeena7216 if you’re questioning if there was ever a pulp mill in Ocean Falls, let me assure you that there was.
@@geenaskeena7216 They did make pulp and it burned the foliage around the mill. Later pulp was shipped in in barges and they
only made newsprint there with two paper machines.
Mine lived there too ! And my daughters grandpa . My family has huge history in this town . I have furniture !
My dad grew up in Ocean Falls until he was about 13. He talks about being apart of the Rain People and about the town. Even though he was only 13 when him and my grandmother left, he remembers the wooden roads and the town vividly and talks about it all the time.
My mom was born there too! not sure how old she was when they left.
My parents came over from Switzerland (separately), and met and married in Ocean Falls, where they had lived for a year or two (around 1957). They moved away shortly after, so none of us children grew up there. But I believe my Mom lived in the Hen House, and worked in the Martin Hotel restaurant. One funny story: my Mom flew in on a float plane, but she'd never been on one, and didn't know they landed on water (she didn't know much English at that time). As it was heading down towards the water, she got panicky about what was happening, but when she looked around, none of the other passengers were alarmed, so she stopped panicking, and shortly after the plane landed on the water!
Where were they from in Switzerland?
(I’m from the Monthey district )
@@RebinRed21 Lucerne area.
Ya know how remote it is when abandoned places are nearly completely free of graffiti... very refreshing. Thank you for sharing. Keep safe.
no thanks to the bears ?
@@laszlozoltan5021 th-cam.com/video/kBnnon_iZOM/w-d-xo.html
Thought the same thing about the graffiti
Now that you mentioned it, it’s going to be tagged, thanks.....😒Doh!
Not free of vandalism though!
I lived and worked in Ocean falls from 1974 to 1978. There are many stories to tell. Thanks for the video and the memories. Living there changed my life in many positive ways. Many years later I still get excited when I bump into someone else who has been there. To me it is a very special place and none other like it. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for this video. I was in Ocean Falls in 1979 working for a mining company as an exploration geologist. The town was in much better condition at that time, the hotel was still occupied by the owner , there were people still living there. The mill was mothballed but a skeleton crew was still maintaining it.The rcmp detachment was recently closed and the end was near. It was a shame. A lot of the houses were still in liveable condition , I considered buying one and moving there. Hard to believe how much has changed. Too bad you could not have seen it , I will never forget the eerie feeling of walking through the streets , looking at the houses still in fine condition, streetlights still on yet nary a soul. Felt like a living apocalypes movie. Thanks again for the memories.
isnt it difficult to live in a place where you cannot buy things? what if you suddenly need something? youd have to wait a week or two?
Did you find the garnets?
mike rapchuk thank you for enjoying my video. I wish I could have seen and experienced it during your time as well
Do you have any photos from inside the hotel back then?
I must have been there not that long before as a child - we were on our way to Bella Bella to visit a friend of my dad’s who was an RCMP officer there, and we stayed one night with an RCMP officer in Ocean Falls so the detachment was still there then.
My Parents lived in Ocean Falls back in the early 50s. My older sister was born there in 56. My father worked at the mill during the day and then went and built a house in Martin valley. My mother worked at the bank. I grew up listening to many stories of their time there
Any paranormal activity over there ?
Another unique history fact. Ocean Falls was the center of the Canadian mens swimming in the 60s and 70s. Multiple Olympians, Olympic medals, world record holders came out of here. They were a powerhouse in the world. There is book by Jack Kelso about it.
I live in Ontario but I remember hearing about the men's swimming team all coming from Ocean Falls B.C. and I was amazed how such a small town could produce
so many world class swimmers.
Where would they practice swimming? The ocean?
Lived there in 1976, worked for the Bank of Commerce / CIBC. Loved & hated it. Loved the scenery, the people, the fresh air. Hated the remoteness, the lack of amenities, dreadful TV reception. Thanks for the tour, I would have enjoyed wondering around.
I didn’t have a tv. The TV tower / receiver signal shot over the town of Ocean Falls therefore the tv picture was extremely grainy and not worth watching.
I really enjoyed this, well produced! Keep it up!
Holy smokes DDE, huge fan of the channel. Really stoked to see this comment. Thanks so much for watching and for the support.
I am retired Alaska Marine Hwy worker. On the Bellingham to Ketchikan run (no stops in between for us), sometimes, when time allowed, we would bypass going through Bella Bella and head up the fjord to Ocean Falls. We would stop in the harbor below the falls, do a looky loo, take a few pix and head back on out. It is a beautiful place and was a nice change for us on the ferry. I have no idea what the few people who lived there thought about us out in their harbor! Nice video and great to see what it looks like up close and learn a bit of history about it
My dad was born there in 1947, my grandmother was a nurse there and my grandfather worked at the mill, I’ve never been there but I will one day.
i feel like my family might know yours. my grandfather and greatgrandfather worked at the mill in the same time frame
I'm adopted, on my Birth record my Mother listed Ocean Falls as her birthplace. Never met her but still, neat.
This sounds like the beginning of a horror movie. You do a 23 and me DNA test, and a week later you receive a strange phone call regarding the results of sequencing of your genome. The person on the phone says that some things are still up in the air, but she requires a DNA sample from your mother in order to confirm her findings. We set off on a journey to Ocean falls in search of your Biological mother. However when we get to our destination we find that things aren't as they should be in .... OCEAN FALLS!!!! dunnn duuun duuuunnnnn !!! (p.s. not trying to make fun or anything. Just bored silly)
@@adamgouge9363
Just keep writing.
Be a movie before you know it . Mom will step forward out of the shadows just in time to save the adult child's sanity.
Blah blah...you're writing it .
Adam Gouge 20 residents.. or so we had thought. 🔥🔥🔥
Heather Elliott U Need 2 Nuke Your Imagination Bro, Wheeeew
@@adamgouge9363 riveting!
My aunt,uncle and cousins moved to Ocean Falls when my uncle left the Royal Marines. His brother had a job in the mill and got my uncle a job as a painter there. When the mill shut they moved to Vancouver Island. My cousins enjoyed their life there, it was completely different from a small English village.
My mother in law use to live in Ocean Falls as a child in the early 50's. Her dad was in the RCMP.
It was a pretty happening back then when the mill was in operation...Now, not so much.
One of the things she remembers is the rain...the rain, the rain, the rain.
I recognize that hotel in the thumbnail anyday! Ocean Falls, My father was born there. My family worked there years ago. I miss ocean falls, its a wonderful wonderful spot. Haven't been back for over ten years. Thanks for the memories man.
“Bowling shoes! That is so cool!!!” Omg I laughed but I absolutely love the enthusiasm. You can tell that they love what they do. Great videos!
The "Hen House" was called Kimsquit Lodge when I lived there 58 to 72.
This brings back memories
. I lived there from 72 to 78. Moved out when I was 8 years old. Our house over looked the plane ramp and we could see all the ferries come and go. I always felt safe there and everyone knew each other. My dad worked at the mill and really got his start in the trades there. Thank you for the trip back in time.
Here I am ‘catching up’ on checking out so many of your amazing videos. I love how you respectfully visit these remote areas and then explain this journey . Love your work, thanks a million.
Fascinating. How sad, once a place filled with life. People's homes, their lives.
This was fascinating to watch and learn about! Thanks for posting ... and also a big thank you to Anne Corke for sharing her old photos of Ocean Falls, they added wonderful context. Ocean Falls is now on my list of places to experience!
That place has sooo much potential. If I had the money I'd develop ocean falls.
I remember Ocean Falls when it was still a thriving little town. The hotel was truly magnificent. The town also had an indoor swimming pool that produced several champions. It also had an RCMP detachment, movie theatre, baseball diamond. All the houses in the main town were heated by steam from the mill. There was a co-op and a Sear catalog store. The Northland Prince used to bring in supplies every couple of weeks. The houses were truly beautiful. The one funny thing was the numbered roads began at tenth. There was another part called martin valley it was a couple of kilometres out of town and it was the suburbs. Almost everyone had a vehicle. The lake above the town IIRC was actually a series of lakes thus the name Link Lakes. My dad was a commercial fisherman and it was one of our favorite stops.
Thanks for the information about this trully beautiful place
Add an old bookshop and a quiet little pub and that sounds like my kind of place.
@@DavidSmith-sb2ix I don't recall an old bookshop but there was a great little pub in the hotel, I was to young to get in.....if you know what I mean. All the proceeds from the pub went to building and maintaining the Olympic class indoor pool. They actually had several swimming champions and one that went to the Olympics
@@michaelb9529 Who stayed at the hotel, tourists, factory or maintenance workers? It seems to be a big hotel for a remote place like this. Someone's suggested that the guests were people brought in to do maintenance work at the mill.
Wow! You really a sparkling nostalgic light on this little town... thanks for the post! Do you have any pics from your childhood... be so interesting to see a couple!
Living on the Van Island I’ve not heard of Ocean Falls. Very interesting and thanks for venturing out and opening our eyes! Also... the comments are fascinating with all the posts from former residents and their explanations of how it was in years gone by... thanks for all your posts and memories!
Cool adventure!! I used to work on a commercial fishing boat and we went by Ocean Falls all the time but never stopped for a visit!!
Interesting tidbit....current BC Premier John Horgan worked at this paper mill when he was a university student.
My Uncle worked there as a young man after high school in the early 60s. This is the most I've ever seen of the place. Fascinating. Never knew it had so much in its heyday, nor that it was that 'old' - a 1926 power dam and a Japanese town! Amazing.
Thank you so much for posting this. I was born their in 1964 and left when I was around 3 or 4. Back in 2015 I decided to take my mom who was having memory issues, my godmother and husband their so that I could see it since I did not remember anything about it. We had an amazing journey, the same route that you all took. I had intended on doing a video then but never finished it. This may have been the inspiration I needed :-) Although my videos would never see this much activity. Outstanding job, and thanks again for sharing my birthplace with so many...
So This social distancing thing has shown me. I am pretty happy by myself. So much so that I would willingly become a resident in one of those fixer upper houses. In that abandoned neighborhood section.
I have grown a little bit tired of all the opinionated people. I could embrace the hermit life.
Same
People have become insufferable. So fake, everyone for themselves.
Same. I'm an introvert that loves camping so this would be like the ultimate camping experience for me.
And that's your opinion!
I want to know would it be possible to grow or raise livestock and grow a garden and be self-sustaining there because the scenery is beautiful and the clean water is something wow therefore there must be good fish and they must live off Hunting but other than meat what else do they eat just curious
The photography is strong in this one. Crisp image and bright colors. Wonderful
I was born in ocean falls in 1949. My was the youngest of 6 and born there in 1926. Her father was paymaster for cr z and the town photographer. You didn't tell that it had the only Olympic size swimming pool for years. Mark Spitz trained there. My mother made the Olympic diving team but her dad would not let her go. Check any employee records for that time to see if the name Gregor is on it. My dad came there in 1945 at the end of the war. He was the electrical Gorman. He was a Buxton from Victoria, one of 14 . He was born in Fort for hill. We left ocean falls in 1956. This video is the first time I've seen it since other than in family pictures.
My grandfather lived here and has told me lots of stories about it! Very very cool! Thank you
I grew up here from 1952-1956 it was a pulp and papermill town built in the twenties by Crown Zellerback
It was called Pacific Mills back then
Pacific Mills before Crown Zellerbach
Great video. Thanks for uploading. Never been to Ocean Falls but went to school with a buddy who grew up there. Years later I worked with a fellow who had worked at the Ocean Falls pulp mill. The fellow I went to high school with, he and his brother won a medal for saving the life of a boy in a small river- I assume that was in Ocean Falls. They were quite young at the time, but strong swimmers and managed to swim a strong stream go bring the boy to safety at risk to their own lives.Their live-saving deed was so heroic they received a second medal for it, a national medal. Good tour. I've subscribed to your channel. Thanks for uploading.
This weather, isolation, natural beauty is the DREAM OF MY ABSOLUTE LIFE.
Whoa like absolutely literally no freaking way!!
💯
Ocean Falls in 1962- I was a baby wrapped in a blanket when my mother tripped on one of those old board walks. She said that I went sailing out into the air and landed with a slide across the mud.
Wow!
Did you slide on your chin? And was that the first adventure, of Mr. Chin?
That explains a lot about you Mr. Chin. If that is your real name.
I remember the boardwalk,
Going to school at the fire hall,
Coach Tebor from Swim team,
Sneaking into the Movies
Did you survive?
When I travelled around Canada, I once stayed with an elderly couple from Surrey. The husband was originally from Germany (like me) bit migrated to Canada (Ocean Falls specifically) because he loved the wilderness up there. He told me lots of super interesting stories about the place but this video is the first time that I actually see what the place might have looked like. Really interesting to watch and now I’m wondering what the guy that I stayed at would feel like if he saw this. Thanks for the great tour of ocean falls!
Canada the most irrelevant country on earth. Simply the 51st state of the United States of Global Terrorism. And these Canadian people can't see what they've all become.
Worlds End Ok and who exactly asked for you opinion? Just shut up nobody cares about your view of Canada. It’s almost objectively one of the most beautiful countries on earth.
My dad bought a cabin in the 90’s in ocean falls I spent a lot of time there. beautiful place great memories. Cool to see a place I know well, on your channel
Thanks for the update. I spent two yrs there around 15 yrs ago! Very cool to see the sights again! Cheers
I was one of the last cooks to work in the hotel before the town was shut down.I have nothing but fond memory's of my time spent there . The rain capital of B.C , but the summer's at Link lake were heaven !
So do you know why they had wooden roads?
I did the elevators in June/July 1980 . Remember a young blonde guitarist at the lake . Could that be yo Don ? Have to dig up picture.
@@terrymcareavy6816 I'll bet you it was me ,I had a white canoe
Don Wilkie found some pics Don . How do I share with you ? Loving your vids
@@terrymcareavy6816 hi Terry I am at. lonesomedonwilkie@gmail.com
What an incredible video.thank you for making this so that the viewers like me can learn more about some of Canada’s history. So amazing how many people left comments. This made it so interesting. You’re a great documentarian.
I worked on the other side of the river, and spent a good amount of time taking pictures of ocean falls. but I took two ferries a plane and a water taxi boat to get there instead of the ferry. that room you were in was a banquet room, The bowling alley was below the main floor where i am not sure you went too. along with a pool ( i believe). there are tons of VERY cool places that you might of missed or left out of editing. a room with glass jars with bones in them, the abandoned mini green house in the top floor of a house that looked like it was used for drugs. baby bears would walk down the roads. , The most beautiful sunsets would great you. I sailed around the world and back and besides being in the middle of the atlantic ocean this place had one of the best sunsets you will ever see in your life.
Have you posted your photos anywhere?
Thanks. My grandfather was born there around 1915.
Great video and the weather was with you !
Wish I was 20 again with better knees , your travels make me feel like I’m there with you !
Don’t stop your adventures , take more videos / pics and only leave your foot prints .
The very best ! Bob 😊😎
What a great adventure!
Nice to see some Canadian content on utube😊
Thanks a lot for sharing that video. I lived in Ocean Falls from 1974 until the mill closed in 1980. Some of my fondest memories are from the time I spent there. There's no other place like it. I lived in the hotel for a couple of years and attended many a legendary party in the Blue Room. I got married by a JP in the old hospital. Total cost of the wedding, $8.00. I've only been back once since we left, just a brief stop when the ferry went in there. I'd love to go back again for a longer stay sometime. The words of Joni Mitchell have never been more appropriate than about Ocean Falls.
"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got til it's gone."
awesome, I'm so glad you made this video. I explored Ocean falls a few times while I was flying seaplanes in and out of there about 10 years ago. I remember exploring the old hotel. and I guy that was living there gave me a tour of his house. Enjoyed reliving that in your video.
I was in Ocean Falls for a few days in the summer of 1978. Spent my last 10 dollar travellers cheque on a bottle of rum at the liquor store by the hotel.The mill and the town were very busy at that time. We were hand logging a few inlets away from Ocean Falls. We left our house boat and log boom to go to Bella Bella for supplies one weekend. When we returned we found our houseboat was set adrift and log boom cut open. Found out later it was people from Ocean Falls and Martin River didn’t want us logging in that area and tried to run us out. Well, it didn’t work!! My relatives ended up living in Ocean Falls in the early 80’s for a couple of years....
Oh jeeze. Friendly folks
I was born in Ocean Falls in 1961, it was really Awesome to see this. My dad was Bill Donald and I am Elizabeth (Liz) Donald.
Liz Dell I was Elizabeth Blezard,I lived there too about 60 years ago,my Dad worked at the mill , I have a few memories though.
Dustin, this is an amazing adventure to watch. Thank you for taking us back to a time when the world was simple. My Grandparents, Mother and Aunt lived in Ocean Falls in the 40s. Was a hive of activity. My Grandfather worked in the pool, taught swimming, and a lifeguard. I remember his many tales and stories. Thank You Dustin, and friend...
Only 5th and 10th street were wooden. Lived in Ocean Falls as a child in the 70s and remember it well. It was an interesting place to live. I recall Soviet freighters coming in to pick up bulk rolls of paper and the crew having shore leave. They bought shopping carts of ice cream and chocolate bars and we helped push them to the ball field that was up by the top of the damn. What you called the old park looks like what we called the burned down school. The area you call the VIP houses were only regular houses . I lived in one of them. Each year the town did a clean up, the Sharks, Barracuda and Killer Whales were the teams. The winner had the biggest garbage pile from cleaning the town. As kids, age 5, 6 we had run of the town, except on the occasions where grizzlies were coming down into the town. Some changes to garbage pike up and security resolved that. I have an old post card of Ocean Falls some place.
CdnX690 --- Cool stories!
Thanks for Sharing.
Enjoy
Thank you. That's a true piece of history.
Thanks for sharing your experience there...it helps bring a bit of life back into the place. I'm interested because I live in mining country in Northern Manitoba...and there are a couple of towns around that are headed the same way as Ocean Falls because the mines closed up. Lynn lake is one...Sherridon and Leaf Rapids are a few more.
@@markanthony3275 Small isolated towns with one sustaining industry and not a hub for travel are challenged with urbanization and the economics of sustaining the town. Some places may have a natural draw and who knows, post CV19 people might be looking for some remoteness. Another memory from OF - each year spring kicked off with a rally to clean the town. There were three groups, Sharks, Barracuda and Killer Whales. Each group assembled garbage collected in the parking lot and the biggest pile won. I also recall the movie theatre being $1. Fifty cents got you in and the .50 got you pop and popcorn.
Liked the video, brought back a number of memories! Lived there for three years s a kid in the early 80's. The pump house was were they added the chlorine, that's when my dad didn't turn it off. He was the townsite plumber. lol
Great video Dustin! My wife grew up on Denny Island and we spend our summers there. We do a day trip to Ocean Falls every year
Both Ocean Falls and your video are beautiful. Your video is like a documentary, and I like it.
Wow...I was in Ocean Falls back in the 70's when I worked for BCFP at Crofton Pulp&Paper...got to go up for a tour with my Dad...it looked a LOT different then...lol...great video guys...all your stuff is awesome...keep it up and thank you...
Love this bro
Moved there with my family when I was 1, my Dad worked in the Mill for Crown Zellerbach
1965 until 1970
My Mother lived in Ocean Falls when she was first married.She told me it rained so much that she would cry longing to be back in Victoria where there was some sunshine.Thanks for sharing this video
Stephen McCabe i believe it gets the most annual rainfall in Canada, not my kinda place!
Considering the cloudiness and rainfall Victoria has, this must be pretty rainy, all right!
The whole coast gets tons of rain. I've been to Prince Rupert 6 times on my way to Haida Gwaii, and it's been raining each time.
I lived there from 72 to 78 and the rain didn't bother me at all. I remember always being outside playing as a kid there.
@@JonathonV I know. I live in Prince Rupert. We know that there is a sun. We even get to see it a couple of times a month.😂
Family lived in Ocean Falls in mid 70s. We were first housed in the hotel, then Garden Apts., finally bought a house in the Valley ... like a suburb a few kms from the main town site past the slide area. Is it still accessible? In the hotel, the tile area surrounded by carpet was a dance floor in the pub. Popular hang out.
Peaceful and safe, love the outdoors and being away from all the people 😊
"50k people used to live here...now it's a ghost town"....that place looks like a mini Chernobyl....perfect location for a movie
This is where I was born in 1963. I unfortunately have never been back. Thanks for the tour.
My uncle is the man in this video and I lived there for just over a month with him in the old bank inn. Such an amazing place and there is not a lot to do........ but yet everything in world to do! Most amazing place. I loved seeing this
Thanks man.
Funny enough I helped open the ice cream shop, and lived in the shop for that time too😂
What's his name? The video unfortunately doesn't say who he is, but he looks really familiar. Just wondering if I knew him back in the day.
Great video, thanks for posting. Also, you found a sunny day in Ocean Falls. Well played.
Spent some time there a few years ago. Went into every building I could find that was open.
Martin Inn - the bowling alley was in the basement. Super dark, collapsing roof pouring water. Scary, but cool to see that bit of history. Lots of great stuff in the rooms upstairs. Old Boy Scout hall, sewing club, Rotary club, and 100+ hotel rooms. I’ve also been in the Boralex buildings across the river. The infrastructure that was left behind is staggering. Would’ve been looted decades ago if it was accessible.
Crazy time capsule in the nether-regions of the coast. Recommended to all.
Having done urban exploring for a few decades, I always get nervous when I hear "Oh, the floor is quite spongy". Been in many buildings over the years where you don't commit all your weight on either foot in case one goes through the floor. Great video...excellent narration and appreciate the historical research ya's did.
This brought back many memories. I have a picture of my dad playing pool in the hotel pool hall. We lived on Falls Street, alongside the dam. There was a schedule and sirens to warn of the opening of the gates. We used to picnic on the massive boulders. I haven't been back since leaving in 1970. There are those who say it's worth the trip, others who say remember it as it was. I'm leaning towards making the trip :)
When the mill shut down a lot of people came to Powell River to work in the paper mill there, that's where I met some of them and listened to there stories of living in Ocean Falls. They had a big swimming pool for a rec center and a lot of Canada's top swimmers came from there. Sad to see the place rotting away. Another great video. thanks
I live in Alberta and often venture into B.C. Love your channel. Keep up the good work. Some of your adventures look like a lot of fun! You open my eyes to places I would love to see!
Yes, I knew a fantastic senior swimmer from there who, at age 17, won silver at the 1948 British Empire Games in Auckland.
I was hoping that you would make your way to Ocean Falls......A lot of people moved from Ocean Falls to Kitimat after Papermill closed. I went through school with a few kids whose parents relocated to Kitimat after the mill closure. My Dad was part of a group that flew into OF to interview and recruit mill workers to come to Eurocan Pulp and Paper in Kitimat......sadly the weak US dollar back in 2010 resulted in the mill in Kitimat closing. Ocean Falls produced some very good swimmers a few coached the swim club in Kitimat back in the 70's. Another challenging place along the BC coast: Surf Inlet!
Greg Neufeldt yo I read half way but I heard kitamat that’s bang I was going to live there but a bunch of stuff happend
I lived in Kitimat as a kid but we lived there before our move to Ocean Falls. Actually lived in Guelph Ont before the move to OF. Kitimat is still my parents favourite and most memorable place they lived...and we lived in a lot of towns.
My Canadian wife and I went there around 1979 to visit her childhood friend Karen and her husband Mike. They worked for the mill in some capacity. All very active at that time. Enjoyed being there very much.
I've spent 3 days in Ocean Falls back in 2016, it was awesome. Home of the rain People. I really really loved it; the only thing that prevent me from buying a home there is the fact I'm alergic to fixing stuff/do renovation, and outsourcing renovations(they come in with barges) come with a very high price. Else I'd be living there now.
I remember speaking with the gentleman resident featured in this video. Thank you for sharing this exploration.
I wonder if they allow shipping containers to be converted into houses?
Just found you, wow, such natural beauty!! I am from Idaho in the US, which is also beautiful~~~~~~~but Canada is also glorious! Thank you for showing me Ocean Falls!
Great job on this video. I was curious about this place. Thanks for showing us all what is there and what isn't.
Man cool that they still have cell service and internet service there. Someone was blowing up your phone when you were in that hotel.
😂
Cool. I lived there when I was about 3 or4 years old. (1964ish)
We lived right next to the slide. Boardwalks for roads almost everywhere.
Brian Bidiuk That would have been around the same time as me,and the same age. What I remember is wooden roads,always dressing in yellow rain gear. Rain. And more rain. Also I think the gas station having a fishing tournament for kids and my brother catching a fish at the lake.
Thanks for this, and all your other videos, Dustin. I discovered your channel a week ago through this video and binge watched all the ones before it. Great stuff!
I've been to Ocean Falls 15 years ago via a 40 foot boat my Buddy owns. We came up from North Vancouver in it and toured all over the BC Coast. Ocean Falls was in marginally better shape than you found it, but not much. I have dozens of photos of it. When I was at UBC, one of my Dormmates was from Ocean Falls and he used to tell me stories about living there; so I always wanted to see it. I never found out much more until decades later when I met an Electrical Foreman (Dave Owen) at the Crown Zellerbach (Fletcher Challenge) Mill in Campbell River (which is also closed down now) who was born and raised there. He worked at the Mill until it closed and then moved to their Campbell River operation. He told me about fishing for oodles of trout behind the dam, the power station and all kinds of stuff.
I had to post to thank you for the memories, before I started checking out the rest of your videos.
I lived in Bella Coola for more than 30 years; my kids grew up there. Beautiful country!! I spent the night on a boat in Ocean Falls but never got to wander around. The mill was still running when I first moved there. Thanks for the video. Have you ever been to Namu? Another out of the way place but there's probably nothing much left there now. I was there about 30 years ago for about a week or so. There was still some old cabins there where the Chinese people lived who worked in the cannery.
Just commenting to save time stamp 4:16 because omg the scenery is beautiful! 😍 I've watched it a few times and got friends and family to watch that part too! I'm not a fan of snow or being cold but that would be so amazing to see in person!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
So sad to see such a beautiful place falling apart. Ocean falls would make such a wonderful destination place to people, but it takes someone with lots of money and onsite. Thanks for sharing this with us. BC
talking to the locals was good, good reasearch too, not just walking abandoned. nice vid
OH YEAH BIT COM MY ASS BIT CON .
I was thinking that doing a video about Ocean Falls would be right up your alley. I want to really thank you for doing this as I was born in Ocean Falls way back in 1964. My dad worked at the mill for about 6 months, and then we moved back to Vancouver Island. While I was born there, I have never been back since my parents left. I often tell friends that I was born in a ghost town. Watching your video allows me to experience my place of birth, since I suspect that I won't be able to make a trip out this way. I also wanted to point out that this is the second video that you have made with a personal connection. You also did the one on Vernon Pick's mansion near Lillooet, where my dad worked for a while, and I was there when his house was being built. Thanks again for your awesome videos.
This was very informative. I am gald you didn't just walk around showing stuff with little knowledge. You had someone who knows the town talk about it. I also appreciated the amount of caution you took going through each building. It's nice to see an explorer be responsible.
I lived in OF as an infant and visited as a teen. It makes me sad to see it so run down.
the climate, the mountains the ferry ride it looks alot like Norway.
It's probably along similar latitude lines. It's the pacific northwest of Canada.
I'm surprised this guys channel isn't bigger. These vids are amazing. sub'd and liked.
Seems like a good place to be right now. Thanks for making this episode. I've never been to Ocean Falls, but always found it's history fascinating. Beautiful landscape. And the bears were probably still asleep, lol.
I very much appreciate this video. I don't know why, but my emotional response to this is just... staggering. I am almost at the point of weeping. Any sort of crying is a good thing in my estimation, so this is a weird catharsis, as if i can feel the dashed hopes of those lives that transpired here. Really amazing, spooky, beautiful, stuff, which would not be available if not for you, who made this video, and posted it.
Not dashed hopes. It is a town that gave a unique experience and upbringing for many, myself include. The memory of Ocean Falls left a deep mark on me.
I'm gunna have to agree with @albert speer-bear you better lay off the soy milk bro
@albert speer-bear Crying is Nature's tension release valve which for far too long has been denied to men by ignorant societies. Trying to shame a man who shows a sensitivity towards others makes you and others like you the real wimps cuz you're afraid to cry. Manly men have the guts to defy the dictates of ignorance
@@TeamStruggleBunny Exactly! Ruined buildings don't mean ruined lives.
I left my heart in Ocean Falls.
This looks like a great place to hunker down during Covid lockdowns
My Dad worked at the mill his first job outside of Quebec. I wasn't born when he was there. I have heard him speak of Ocean Falls often growing up, he has a special place in his heart for it!
The closest thing we have in Tennessee that I know of is Pressman's Home. This is a great video and the land is gorgeous.