Whonnock History

Behind The Name

Whonnock: From the Halkomelem word meaning “place where there are (always) humpback salmon” (Akrigg: British Columbia Place Names)

The English spelling of Whonnock with “NN” of today was established in the mid-1800s. When the CPR put a station at Whonnock on the new transcontinental line, they called it “Wharnock” and for a few decades the spelling “Wharnock” continued to be used by some. The post office, established in 1885 took the name Whonnock and the CPR eventually followed suit.

In December 1939 the Canadian Permanent Committee on geographical names in Ottawa adopted the writing “Whonock” with one “N” in conformity with the spelling of the name of the Reserve. This now official spelling was subsequently used by the post office and CPR. Many residents refused to follow suit and continued writing Whonnock with the double “NN.”

Early in the 1960s—the war years over—a few residents took action presented a petition for the return to the old spelling to the government in Victoria and Ottawa. Of an estimated population of 644 not less than 603 signatures were collected of which 588 favoured to return to the old name. The petitioners were successful and in 1969 the Committee on Geographical Names, reinstated

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