Thetis Island (population: 350) is an island off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is one of the Gulf Islands. The island was named in 1851 after HMS Thetis, a 36-gun Royal Navy frigate commanded by Captain Augustus Leopold Kuper (after whom Kuper Island is named). The ship was named after the Nereid Thetis from Greek mythology. Thetis was first settled in 1874 but permanent settlement took hold in the 1890s and 1900s.
One of the first settlements on Thetis Island were the Hunter family. They homesteaded the greater portion of the island including the northern half. They still own some parts of Thetis and the Hunters continue to live on the northern coast of the island.
Among the homes and seasonal cabins of Thetis Island are three Christian organizations: Capernwray Harbour Bible School, Pioneer Pacific Camp and Camp Columbia. There are also a harbour, restaurant and pub, a small convenience store and at least one bed and breakfast. Thetis Island is also home to one of the only one room schoolhouses left in Canada.
Thetis Island has a mild climate experiencing less rainfall than the eastern coast of Vancouver Island because it lies in the Strait of Georgia in the rainshadow of Vancouver Island. Vegetation on the island includes many Arbutus, Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar.
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