Editor:
We are writing in response to the contributed article ‘Thanksgiving Weekend in Nadina Country’ which appeared in the Jan. 4, 2012 edition of the Lakes District News.
Firstly we appreciate the story that the author, Richard Canon wrote. Richard it was a wonderful article, also for a fabulous turkey dinner, and last, but not least for your tireless efforts in capturing the history of all the Lakes District.
As well, it has come to our attention about some confusion as to the founder of Nadina Lake Lodge, as Richard had written.
To the best of our knowledge, in 1957 James Quilty operated a fuel depot on the present site of Nadina Lake Lodge.
This depot was servicing logging operations on Nadina Lake and possibly the building of the Tahtsa Road for the Kemano project. In August 1958 Joe Gourdeau and his partners, John and Daisy Foster purchased the property and started the lodge naming it Nadina Lake Lodge.
During this partnership our Uncle Joe was the principle member dedicating all of his time during the operating season to developing the lodge and new guiding area.
John and Daisy were active partners for only the first five years of the operation, but played a key role in the development of the business. John and Daisy were residents of Peace River, Alberta and due to work for John in that area, it was Daisy who was the primary contributor of this relationship to Nadina Lake Lodge.
So, James Quilty was on site prior to Joe Gourdeau, but was not operating a lodge.
We do not have a lot of other information on Quilty but if any of your readers do, we would love to hear it.
We are always keen to add information to our Nadina Region history journals.
Hope this helps straighten out any confusion and great job again Richard, we truly enjoyed it.
Brad and Wendy Thompson
Nadina Lake Lodge