A Walk Through Bowser B.C.

Bowser (Population 131), is a community on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island located approximately 66 km north of Nanaimo and is situated in a region which is informally known as Lighthouse Country. Bowser's local hotel was famous in the 1930s for a dog trained by his owners to deliver beer bottles to tables, receive the payment, and deliver change. This was cited in, "Ripley's Believe It Or Not." The community was named after William J. Bowser, Premier of British Columbia from 1915 to 1916.
The town of Bowser is just a 10 minute drive north of us and is the "go-to" spot for spur of the moment needs. It has a Legion Hall, a gas station, a grocery store, a hardware store and a plaza with gift stores, a coffee shop, the library, a clothing store and a gym. Oh, and can't forget the Georgia Park store (which is like a 7-11 with the addition of a post office and a liquor store) and Nicholini's pizza. Who could ask for more?


Welcome to Bowser. This is lighthouse country and the lighthouse theme is repeated everywhere.


We recently joined the Bowser legion and have been known to attend the meat draws and quaff a few brews with friends and neighbors. "Meat Draw" you ask, "what is that?" Well, it's a fund raising thing out here. You buy tickets, the draw is made and you win....meat. Our kids are horrified, but on a Friday night in Bowser it's the only show in town and always fun especially if you take home the bacon...or chicken, or steak....


Magnolia Court which houses many of the local amenities including the Library where I spent so much time using there reference books, magazines and Internet connection.


Tomm's food village (complete with palm trees) and the local garage/gas station.


The Irly Builder Supply where we have an account and are on a first name basis with the owners and staff, and the Georgia Park Store: one stop groceries, post office and liquor store.


If there is a landmark, it is this antique & gift store with this eye-catching and memorable loon.

It takes about 2 minutes to drive through Bowser and you may not even notice it. And so it is with all of the small communities that dot the east coast of Vancouver island. Small close-knit towns have been known to be hard on strangers, slow to accept outsiders. That is so NOT true here. This town and the people here have accepted and embraced us. We feel as if we have always been here when we are out and about and are greeted and called by name, a wave and a smile. We're living in a very small town and loving it.