Quadra Island is the largest of all the “Discovery Islands”. It is located between Vancouver Island and the smaller islands of Sonora, Maurelle, Read, and Cortes. Quadra Island’s large timber stands, numerous sheltered bays, and potential mineral resources, attracted loggers and miners to the island during the last half of the19th century. Settlers followed, establishing farms, and as the population increased, the island developed several communities with hotels, post offices, public schools, a mission, and, at first, the only policeman and jail serving the surrounding area.