Chemainus, tucked in the heartland of the Cowichan Valley, was once primarily a mill town, and home to the largest covered-in sawmill in North America.
In 1983, after operating for 120 years, the mill closed. Almost 700 people became unemployed in a community of just under 4,000 people.
Residents rallied and they continued to beautify the downtown core, trying to promote the logging theme.
Businessman and Chemainus resident, Karl Schutz, came up with the concept of painting history on the walls of Chemainus.
The paintings are images of real people, and life in the early years.
Chemainus is known world-wide as the world's largest outdoor art gallery, draws approximately 400,000 visitors annually.