To locals, the name Garibaldi refers to a lake, a neighbourhood, a mountain, a park and even a movie theatre but how many can claim to know its origin?
Squamish's own expert on the subject, Wolfgang Richter, knows so much about Giuseppe Garibaldi the infamous 19th century Italian military and political hero that he feels safe in claiming a master's degree on the topic, and even intends to write a book on the man.
His passion about the historical figure led him 30 years ago to name a proposed ski development on Brohm Ridge Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS), and this week, it led to a visit from the hero's great-great grandson, Francesco Garibaldi-Hibbert.
The Garibaldi descendant is vice-president of the newly-formed Giuseppe Garibaldi Foundation, which seeks to bring the various pieces of the Garibaldi legacy symbols of which can be seen all over the world in monuments and various organizations under one umbrella.
Garibaldi-Hibbert said the magnificence of the local mountain and park is fitting for such a distinguished historical figure as his ancestor.
"Throughout the world in many countries we see symbolism of his past, of what he achieved, and this is a splendid example," he said.
"His significance is way beyond Italy. What he managed to do in his lifetime is phenomenal for any average [person]. He achieved tremendous goals in his lifetime, which have a universal message in terms of freedom for oppressed peoples. He was driven by ideology and because of this, he had fantastic popularity during his lifetime. And because the printing press at the time was new, he was the first global media phenomenon."
Giuseppe Garibaldi was "the most popular man in the world," according to Richter, when, in 1860, British captain George Richards sailed into Howe Sound waters. It was Richards who first named the tallest peak in sight after the man named "The Hero of Two Worlds" in tribute to his military expeditions in both South America and Europe.
"He unified Italy, he kicked the French out of Italy, the British liked that," said Richter.
In May, Italy celebrates the 150th anniversary of its reunification, which is attributed to General Garibaldi's sailing, with 1,000 men, from Genoa to Sicily, to conquer all of Italy.
"And unlike Napoleon, who put the crown on his own head, he gives the keys to the unified country of Italy to a king from Torino named Victor Emmanuel," said Richter.
But the extraordinary accomplishment of freeing the Italian people from the French and Austrians was only one of many incredible achievements in the man's 75 years.
After studying Garibaldi's history for several years, Richter became so enamored by his legacy that he found a way to connect with his great-granddaughter, Francesco's mother, Anita, who lives in Brazil. Thus a connection to the family was forged.
Garibaldi-Hibbert was in the area for the Games as a guest of Luigi Aquilini, a major shareholder in GAS, and accepted Richter's invitation to visit a plaque dedicated to his ancestor in view of the mountain of the same name, along with Italian television media and Italy's consul-general in B.C.
The plaque was installed on Highway 99 near Murrin Provincial Park by another local Garibaldi fan, Peter Gordon and unveiled among much fanfare in the presence of the Italian counsel general and Veterans on July 4, 1982 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Garibaldi's birthday.
Now plans are in the works to expand the monument and include more information about the man, the mountain the Squamish Nation all of which had been Gordon's original intention for the site.
Garibaldi-Hibbert said he's very proud to see admiration for his great-great grandfather so clearly displayed in the area, and he also endorsed the controversial GAS project itself.
"It will be developed in harmony with the environment and in agreement with local community values," he said.
Richter gave a positive spine to local controversy surrounding the development which has been denounced opposition group Save Garibaldi for the as-yet unanswered environmental challenges over accessing enough water needed for the proposed 5,739 housing units and grounds. He said the feedback is indicative a very knowledgeable public and "construction criticism is always helpful."
He added he feels comfortable the project's outstanding issues can be addressed.
"What we have is a water management problem, and yes we haven't done enough studies yet to comply with regulations," said Richter. "But again at some point in time you've got to kind of fly with it and say 'Yes, there is water in and around Squamish. Yes there's habitat that needs to be protected.' So we have to source that water and we have to store the water. That simple. If we can't do it, we shouldn't build it. So we're going to figure out how to do it. It's an engineering problem."
