As shown in this 1945 photo, Youbou was a thriving community with an ever-expanding lumber mill Industrial Timber Mill (ITM) and large logging operation.
The photo shows just a small segment of the entire community where over half of the homes were privately owned by ITM employees.
Over time, this view had changed dramatically from no development at all to a large industrial complex and community. Over the past decade, the mill and its many buildings have all but disappeared after the mill closed down in 2000 then dismantled in 2001.
What began as a small settlement called Cottonwood — also known as Railway — eventually took on the name of Youbou.
By 1925, steel (the railway) had reached the Youbou mill, Mile 83 on the Canadian National Railway line.
According to the late Lucille Smith of Youbou, the little mill — owned by Empire Lumber Company — was shipping a railcar load of logs a day. There was also rail gas car service from Victoria, which continued on until 1931, when a road (more like a lane) from Lake Cowichan to Youbou was cut through the timber.
By the same year, ITM had taken over the mill and had begun to develop the community further.
ITM donated land and building materials for a school (Yount), a church, community hall and many other community essentials. The townsfolk pitched in volunteering their time to build many of the community buildings, which included a fire hall. The community church was well used, and was the site of “five or more regularly worshipping congregations.”
The community hall was recognized as one of the largest on Vancouver Island and was the perfect spot to hold large gala events such as the annual Snowball Frolic Ball. Featuring fantastic decorations and mountains of food, the ball often attracted over 300 people.
There were many ballparks throughout the community including one in Yap Alley. According to Smith, Yap Alley (a part of Youbou) was the name given to a small settlement at the mouth of Cottonwood Creek.
When the mill yard began expanding in that direction the company discouraged people from living there. As the houses were gradually vacated over the years they were burned down until nothing was left but the remains of gardens.
There are several stories as to how Yap Alley got it’s name. One story was attributed to then tugboat operator Pepper Martin, who said that it got its name “Because that was all those women (who lived there) did.”
According to former Yap Alley resident, Verle Leakey (nee Perkins), after settling into a little house in Yap Alley with her family they learned a little of the history of the “Alley” and how it got it’s name.
It being because “of the habit of wives (of company employees) calling to each other from their float houses and chatting (also known as yapping) away the afternoons over coffee.”
Present day local residents, Eileen Engstrom (nee Ledingham), Verle Leakey (nee Perkins) and Ed Pepin are just three of the many people who once lived at Yap Alley.
Over the years, many sport and community events took place in the community of Youbou. There was basketball, bowling, badminton and even a boxing club. There were card parties, choirs and Christmas concerts.
One could join a First Aid team involving children, men and women, Brownies, Cubs and Boy Scout groups. Sports and Junior Forest Wardens were popular.
There was even a Ground Observer Corps (plane spotting during the Korean War) sponsored by the Royal Canadian Air Force as well as a motorcycle club called the Cowichan Fly by Knights.
The mill had a hockey team; there was a Red Cross group, the soccer league and a Teen Town Club that sponsored dances. A wrestling club, swimming lessons, tennis and model airplane clubs were just a few of the many groups and organizations active in the little town of Youbou many years ago.
