The story of Denman Island coal begins in 1852 when Joseph William McKay visited Denman Island, looking for coal deposits. He stayed overnight at Siklault, the name he recorded for Denman Island, and the Pentlatch settlement at Village Point (now Denman Point). Others including Judge Crease believed there was coal under Denman and bought land here. Exploration for coal gas was promoted by the Province in the 1990’s but underground rights granted at that time were subsequently revoked.
