In 1942, Carlton Stone, of the Hillcrest Lumber Company, was in need of a new mill site. The Sahtlam-based operation had run out of timber and, after some searching, Mr.Stone decided on a tract of land adjacent to the Cowichan Lake Research Station in Mesachie Lake.

It was in the spring of ‘42 that over 100 acres of this land was cleared and the great trek from Sahtlam began.

The mill itself was completely new in design, with more efficient modern equipment. The powerhouse was completed and the generators installed. The powerhouse was able to produce enough power not only for the mill and the community, but on occasion supplied the village of Lake Cowichan when it’s own plant was overloaded or broken down.

The streets for the new town were laid out, water mains and sewers put in and power installations built. Houses from the Sahtlam site were cut in sections, transported, and re-assembled on the new site. Next came the construction of more houses, a church (St. Christopher’s), a community hall, and a school.

Hillcrest Lumber Co. was referred to as a “family operation”. Apart from the fact members of the family were involved, the relations between management and employees was exceptional. A large number of them had a long record of service to Hillcrest. About sixty families lived in Mesachie during this time. The houses were company owned and rented to the workers and their families. The company also took care of maintenance of the town, including rentals of the hall and church. To beautify the new town, Mr. Stone purchased various ornamental trees and had them planted along the boulevards. In 1945, the town’s large East Indian population erected their own Sikh Temple.

In 1968, the Hillcrest Lumber Company was forced to cease operations in Mesachie Lake, due to a dwindling timber supply. On August 6 about 50 of the 250 employees were laid off. The gang mill and barker mill were phased out by mid September. Exactly twenty-five years after the first log was sawn, Hillcrest shut down. The mill was burned in 1970.

In 1982, Camp Imadene bought the old Hillcrest site and moved their camp in a decade later.

Mesachie Lake is still a vibrant community, although the school and church have been moved to Lake Cowichan. The Mesachie Skydome is home to many ball tournaments. The community hall hosts various events throughout the year. The town has it’s own post office and public boat launch. The only businesses in town at present are Mesachie Mini golf , Mesachie Sign Craft and, seasonally, BJ’s Ice Cream, although there is Western Equipment (suppliers to the logging industry) and an office and maintenance yard for the loggers. The original Hillcrest Lumber Co. office is now a private residence.