Our story
History of Queest Village
Built by its owners, a dock plank and a work bee at a time.
The land
Shuswap Lake sits within Secwepemcúl’ecw, the traditional territory of the Secwépemc (Shuswap) people, who have lived on and cared for these waters and mountains for thousands of years. The lake’s four long arms meet at the Cinnemousun Narrows. The quiet northern reach of Anstey Arm, below Queest Mountain, is one of its most remote corners, with forested slopes, a cold clear creek and a broad sandy beach.
Logging and backcountry use shaped the area long before cabins arrived. The 4x4 logging road that still winds down to the village is a reminder of those days.
Becoming a village
Queest Village was established as a bare-land strata community, Strata Plan K611. Owners hold their own lots and share the beach, docks, water system, road and common areas. From the start it was meant as a recreational family retreat, not a resort. The people who own it look after it.
Milestones
Along the way
- Early years
Strata Plan K611 is created
The first owners arrive by boat and backroad. Early cabins and trailers go up as families settle into lake life.
- 1987–1988
The first village bylaws
Owners register bylaws on garbage, use of common property, and finishing permanent buildings within three years, setting the standards that still guide the village.
- Over the years
Docks, beach and creek water
Volunteer work bees build and maintain the docks and a creek-fed water system for the lots, and the beach becomes the heart of village life.
- 2008
Water season and fair fees
New bylaws set the water system’s operating season (April 15 to October 31) and the rules for strata fees and levies.
- 2011
The water system project begins
Council starts work to bring the village water supply into line with BC drinking water regulations.
- Recent years
New docks and a written vision
Owners and contractors rebuild the dock system with new floats and pilings. Council writes down the village’s vision, mission and guiding values.
- Today
A growing community
New owners and long-time families keep Queest a place of sunsets, swims and shared work.
Help us tell the story
Our history lives in the memories, photos and logbooks of owners and their families. If you have stories about the early days, old photos, or know when something first happened, we’d love to hear from you.
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