Memories and Recollections of Cowichan Bay

I have gotten a lot of nice stories and pictures from others about the early days of Cowichan Bay. So, this page is a place where folks can send me their stories and pictures. I hope you all enjoy it and I look forward to hearing your stories. If the name is highlighted it means you can email them. Perhaps we might also put some old timers in touch with each other...

I am getting to know a number of "Old Timers" and am looking forward to the stories. One of the ladies here in my building used to own most of what is the Broadway Marina. As well, Al Falt (who owned the little harbour tugs) has promised me some stories and recollections. I have promised a number of folk information on changes in the area, so the task keeps growing. Maybe folks reading this section might be able to help me out. I have made the contributors here clickable so folk can email them directly, but don't forget to clue me in as well. I am eager to learn all I can and pass it on to others. The book is still in the works, but meantime I want to pass on as much information as I can.

Brian Peck sends this story and pictures....

"The pictures were taken by my father, Wilf Peck, in 1965. The occupants of the canoe were a Coast Salish couple, his name, Abel Charlie, who was believed to be 103 at the time of the photo. The woman's name, Josie Lemo, who was believed to be 98, or possibly older.
They lived over on Mayne Island. I forget the name of the point that there cabin was on, but it is the land that lies between Village Bay, Mayne Island, and Active Pass. About once a month or so, depending on the weather, they would arrive at the marina, purchase a few canned goods and head out again for the trip back to Mayne." (Note by Tom... Brian's folks owned the store at the marina)

Brian's dad had this comment about the early fire department

My son Brian has passed on your request for info on fire dept. history. I was resident at Cowichan Bay from 1951 until 1967 while my father, Donald Peck, lived there from the 1930's until about 1960. Dad's store and marina building was burned out twice by fire spreading from the adjacent property - at that time fire protection consisted of a portable pump which, through poor maintenance, couldn't be started on either occasion. The first fire truck was acquired from the Oak Bay Dept. and was a supperannuated machine. I believe this was in the late 1950's. Shortly after that the fire dept was formallly organized.

Dave from Seattle sent me this post card and the note:

" I'm 49 y/o. I was there in the late 50's, early 60's. The back of the (my) card say's: "4cents Canadian Postage". The Govmt. Dock is on the left in your card. To the left of that would be The Cowichan Bay Inn - although I don't recall if the Inn was next door to the dock - There may have been a dwelling or shop between them.

The photo I sent you - on the left is a smaller 4plex with a float/dock in front which was all part of the Inn. That's where we usually stayed as my grandparents lived in a small house in back of (there), across a alley, lane. They'er landlady was Mrs Stewart who lived in a larger home on the property.

Moving to the right in the (my) photo is the shuffelboard, flagpole, and pool. I recall the pool (not) being a salt water pool as my hair alway's turned extra blonde from the chlorine(sp). The back of my card mentions, "heated swimming pool". A banner on the beach read's COWICHAN BAY INN.

I had many fine day's digging clam's on "The Indian Beach" - we alway's had permisson. One Summer a woman made me a custom Cowichan Bay Sweater - we all wore them on chilly day's. I recall seeing a few GIANT salmon being weighed at the dock. There used to be a small grocery store by the dock -called- Peck's? One Summers day I rowed to an old tramp freighter docked at the end of the bay. A young kid my age came to the rail and invited me onboard, which I did. He spoke with an Irish accent - said he had stowed away. He was the "Boat Boy". We spent the whole afternoon hanging-out on the ship - the thought crossed my mind of leaving with them the next day..... (Note from Tom... Dave refers to a post card picture I have traded him)

Cathy sent this little story:

" My name is Cathy Hutchinson, my mother is the one whose paternal grandparents and father lived in the area from about 1890 to early 1930's. My husband and I took my Mom on a Spring Break "Road Trip" through Duncan and Cowichan so she could look for some familiar sights.Her grandparents lived in Duncan and at Maple Bay, the ladies at the musuem were very helpful with some directions. (Mom had pictures and was looking for things) We started with the last address with was the "Hincks-Parry" road, but could not find it. Ms. Davis at the musuem thought it was now the Cherry Point Rd. which makes sense as the road goes out to the Bay and the pictures I have of the house there, overlook water. On the map, it shows the Kingscoat Rd next to Cherry Pt. Rd. and Mom remembers friends of her grandparents who were the Kingscoats. They had the next farm over. I have been helping my Mother organize some of her Duncan photos and have promised to send copies to Ms. Davies at the musuem, if you like I can send copies to you. I have photos of the Cowichan Motors garage on opening day,I understand it was torn down a few years ago. My great-grandmother owned it and leased it out from what I understand and that provided her with an income to live in Victoria in her later years. Our interest in the cups from the Regatta,plus my mother's interest in her family sparked a lot of this. Her father was a provincal policeman and they moved around a lot. This was where her father grew up and where they would always come for a visit, it was a consistent place in her childhood."

and subsequently this note....

"I'm doing a search for my Mom, her father's family lived at Maple Bay and Cowichan Bay, possibly Cherry Point area, at the turn of the 1900's. She has two trophies from the Cowichan Bay Regatta, a small one with three handles,dated 1909 and a rather large one dated 1911. The large one was for a motorized boat race. There may be more, she is unpacking boxes that were put in the basement after my gradmother passed away. She doesn't now know if they belong to her father or grandfather, the last name is Parry. Any way I find out more about them, any links to go to?"

Dr. Gunn tells the story of Joe Dougan (Dougan's Lake, etc). Seems the hotel in town had a jail for some of the unruly guests. Joe and a girl friend got roaring drunk and landed in the jail. Around about 2:00 am they were turned loose and sent home. Well, along the way Joe's wife caught up with them. Joe fell victim to a case of "Lead Poisoning". The court case that followed ruled Joe's death accidental...

On the subject of the Hotel, and booze... Bob Vey tells about a trapdoor in the back of the bar in the Columbia Hotel (now The Masthead). The local natives would row the canoe up to the back at high tide and rap on the door. The bartender lowered the appropriate libation down to them by rope.