Duncan

Duncan is the administrative center in Cowichan Valley on the southern half of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The town area covers a small downtown with shops, offices and residential streets between forested hills and the Cowichan River.

William Chalmers Duncan arrived in the region during the 1860s and the railway company later named a station after him. The settlement gained city status in 1912 and remained a trade and administrative point for the valley.

The town carries the nickname "City of Totems" and the carved cedar poles line sidewalks and squares throughout the center. Visitors can view the carvings along self-guided walking routes, with each pole telling a different story from coastal tradition.

The Trans-Canada Highway runs directly through the town area and connects the center with other communities along the island's east coast. Parking spaces are found near the main street and the center can be explored on foot.

The Cowichan River flows through the surroundings and draws fly fishers in autumn who watch salmon during migration runs. The riverbank offers shaded trails under tall conifers that form a cool retreat on warm days.

Location: Cowichan Valley Regional District

Elevation above the sea: 20 m

Shares border with: North Cowichan

Website: https://duncan.ca

GPS coordinates: 48.77861,-123.70806

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:52