Forbes Landing was created by James Forbes from Wick, Scotland, and he was a saddler by trade. He had lived in the USA and then headed to Vancouver Island, where he did a stint in Victoria before moving to the Lower Campbell Lake area in 1910. James purchased land from the Cudahy Timber Company from their holdings in the area. James worked in the area for the timber company, along with various other jobs.
James settled on this insignificant section of land on the shores of Lower Campbell Lake at the outermost reaches of civilization, alongside a trail that was used by local surveyors to access the outermost reaches of an area that would come to be known as Strathcona Park. It was becoming evident that Strathcona Park was to become a reality; the surveyors and miners who used this trail were joined by potential businessmen looking to invest in resorts and hotels on the edges of the Strathcona Park wilderness. Unknown to James was the potential of his property.
In 1911, he met and married Elizabeth Sutherland. Their life in this wilderness area was rough at best, with the couple beginning their marriage living in a 3 x 4-meter float house on the lake. Whenever one of these surveyors required a place to lay their head, the Forbes family was happy to oblige with an offer of the modest comforts of a wood stove and a clean floor.
Soon, the couple realized that they could not supply accommodation for the volume of men travelling through their property. So, along with the assistance of numerous guests and a few friends, they began to build a lodge on the lake.
The lodge was well underway in 1912, built with logs obtained from the timber company. Lumber was brought to the southern shores of Lower Campbell Lake by horse and wagon and from there to the building site by canoe; slow and tough progress. Three of Elizabeth’s brothers came to the area in 1912 and helped with the building of the new lodge. After helping in the construction of the lodge, the brothers built and operated several tourist cabins on Upper Campbell Lake for many years.
The original Forbes Lodge burned down in the great forest fire of July 1938, and another was built and opened in the spring of 1939. It was moved to higher ground in 1948 when the level of Lower Campbell Lake was raised about 65 vertical feet by a hydroelectric power dam.
In 1972, the Lodge was sold to Jack Slade from Haney, BC and was again destroyed by fire on September 2, 1974, and a well-known historic landmark was lost. As a young man, I used to spend time here; there was a great little bar with shuffleboard and darts, along with awesome vistas.
Today, the foundations of the old lodge can still be seen, with some of Elizabeth’s original rose bushes still in place. Forbes Landing is privately owned and maintains itself as a popular destination for camping, trout fishing and relaxing on the shores of Lower Campbell Lake, surrounded by forest and water on three sides. The site has the feeling of an isolated island in the middle of a lakeside oasis.
There are a few homes here, and over the years, I have had friends and family members live here at Forbes Landing, which still allowed me to enjoy the fishing and views.
I would truly love to see any photos and scans of the Hotel and property. My great aunt was Elizabeth Sutherland (Auntie Lizzie). I heard many stories about the Fishing Lodge at Forbes Landing.
Debora Sutherland
Hi Bud
If you would like to update your photos with the old hotel site I would be happy have you attend Forbes Landing. The pictures posted were of the property to the west of the Forbes Landing Hotel Site.
Hi Ruth, will stop in one day soon.
Hi Darren, we purchased the property in 1987 living on the property and renting the lakefront cabins to guests, along with a few seasonal RV Sites. The cement foundation of the Forbes Landing Hotel is standing strong, and the rose bushes that were on each side of the stairs still bloom every year with the most beautiful pink roses. Lots of people come through the property reminiscing the Hotel especially the “Cougar Room”.
It would be nice to obtain copies of any pictures you may have.
Hi Ruth, I have scans of a post card and a couple of photos you may like from when my aunt, uncle and father stayed there in late August 1942. I have another couple of photos (but no scans yet) of a cow near the shore of Lower Campbell lake, and Elk Falls. Is that nearby? On the back of the post card my aunt wrote “Well, Dad, here we are out for some fish. With three of us fishing at a time we got 21 today. They are nice rainbow trout. Its lovely up here. We are leaving tomorrow morning. The lodge is nice and clean. And the meals very nice. I will write when I get home. Your daughter Irene.
I would love to see those scans, bud
My email is not shown here, but do you see it? Please message me to gmail and I’ll reply with the scans.
I loved the “Cougar Room”. So beautiful and was the inspiration for my own ceiling.
Hi Thanks for the info on the lodge! I lived their as a young boy. My garandparents owned it at the time. (The Sivertsons). I never new who bought it, but do remember hearing the big news that it had burned down. Sure wish Gramma hadn’t sold it!!
Your welcome, my family has lots of history there, l knew your grandparents.
Hello Darrin
My parents(Kelly and Leona Save) purchased the Lodge from your Grandmother in 1972. She was a lovely lady (your Grandfather has passed away)
When we arrived there, I was 16 years old, and in order for me to move there( as I didn’t want to leave my friends in Calgary) I asked my Dad to buy me a St. Bernard puppy ( which were selling for $300. ) I didn’t think he would, I named him Schultz!!!
When we arrived that day your Grandmother had a party, a Welcome to us ,and a goodbye for her. The lodge had a few interesting characters staying there, as well as a mix of Loggers and University dropouts( hippies) renting the 6 cabins.
Once Mom and Dad had settled in, they quickly made friends of the locals, and Friday and Saturday nights were singalong in the Cougar room. My Dad had set the rules that their would be no fighting between the loggers and hippies, some nights we held our breathe. Everyone new my Mom as her signature song was Bill Bailey. So many great times in that Cougar room( I was there, but of course no drinking for me)
On Sundays we hosted AA’s breakfasts, we had our regular fisherman that would come to fish ( from Port Angeles, 2 retired judges) they taught me how to clean fish, then employed me to do that. The pay was pretty good, $1. A fish.
In 1972 my brother who was finishing school back in Calgary, had a terrible car accident. When he was finally able to travel, Mom brought him to the lodge, where he started the healing process. But after a few months he wanted to go back to Calgary, which the family realized it was time to go.
I had the forethought to take a few things as a keepsake from the lodge… a beautiful Etched wall mirror circa 1920. An old school bell, which I’m assuming belonged to the Forbes family, as well as a couple of old barrel shaped bar glasses. Plus a few pictures we took of the people who stayed at the cabins.
Dad sold the Lodge to Jeff Slade, he was only at the lodge for a short time then it mysteriously burnt down. Non of his family were there at the time of the fire.
A real shame!!! I hope you enjoyed my time at the lodge,
I learn lots from the people who stayed there, and have fond memories. I’m Sorry I don’t have any pictures if your Grandmother, but I will tell you this, that we vould tell that night of the party, she was Loved. All the best to you
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie, I am Bud, the creator of gohiking. My brother Joe (logger) and his wife Bunny, and their children lived in one of those cabins back in the early 70s. I, (hippy), visited quite often, lol. When I was old enough, your dad used to let me buy beer on a Sunday (shhhhhh) when I were heading out to fish. I learned the game of shuffleboard in the bar. I have some great memories from those days. I was cowboying up in the interior when the place went up in flames. It broke my heart when the news reached me.