Adopted 5 April 1921 as recommended by Provincial Minerologist Mr. Fleet Robertson. Also Gwillim River.

Source: BC place name cards, files, correspondence and/or research by BC Chief Geographer/Geographical Names Office.

After John Cole Gwillim (1868-1920), professor of mining at Queens University, who conducted surveys in the region in 1919 with his partner, E.M.Speiker. Resulting plan 4T246, Geology and Structure of a Portion of the Peace River District, 1920. Gwillim had been Mining Engineer at Slocan in 1896, and is the namesake of Gwillim Creek in that district.

Source: BC place name cards, files, correspondence and/or research by BC Chief Geographer/Geographical Names Office.

"In memory of the late Professor John Cole Gwillim (1868-1921?) Gwillim was born 25 August 1868 at Clifford Herefordshire and came to Canada when 13 years old. His family settled near Winnipeg in which city he attended St. John's College. Was graduated from McGill University with a BA (Honours) in Natural Science, 1895. Married to Miss Jane Birch in Vancouver. Member of the Geological Survey of Canada 1899-1903(?), engaged in field work with Messrs Tyrrel and Bowling. In 1903 Gwillim was appointed professor of mining at Queen's University at Kingston. His summers were usually spent in the field, mainly exploring the coal lands, and later the oil fields of Alberta for the CPR. His last field work was for the British Columbia government in the Peace River country, 1919. Professor Gwillim was a member of many technical societies in Mining and Metallurgy and he was held in the highest esteem for his professional work and personality." (letter from F. Robertson, 24 February 1921, file 93P).

Source: BC place name cards, files, correspondence and/or research by BC Chief Geographer/Geographical Names Office.