Duncan ‘Dunc’ Woods (1859-1936) was one of Summerland’s first pioneers.
By 1888 he had pre-empted the southern half of Trout Creek. In 1899 he staked out the Mascot Fraction at the Hedley mines.
He sat on his claim, refusing to deal with the big mining companies, for 33 years.
His mine would later produce in excess of seven tonnes of gold.
Some of his eccentric behaviours included not bathing, refusing to use automobiles and no photography.
There are only two photos of Woods, and this is the better one.
When he died, his sister was given $150,000 and the rest of his estate went to the province. Summerland acquired some land from the Duncan Woods estate, which would later become our Powell Beach.