In Memoriam: Judy Hagen
The Courtenay and District Museum Society lost a long-time leader and friend with the passing of Author, Researcher, Judy Hagen on July 24, 2026.
From the Archives: Photo of the Month August 2026
Gordon McLean (left), two unidentified young men and Dusty d’Esterre (front right) enjoy a sunny day at Williams Beach. S.B.W. (Dusty) d’Esterre photograph. This photo and its caption appear on page 139 of Step Into Wilderness: A Pictorial History of Outdoor Exploration in and around the Comox Valley.
From the Archives: Photo of the Month July 2026
The Sutherland and Fairbairn girls ready for a swim in the Courtenay River. Left to right: Saxon and Agnes Sutherland, Gwen, Jean, Dorothy and Kay Fairbairn, with Lewis Park in the background, ca. 1920. This photo and its caption appear on pg. 118 and 119 of Step Into Wilderness: A Pictorial History of Outdoor Exploration in and around the Comox Valley.
100 Years of Legions
The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League united numerous Veterans groups and societies together as one national entity. Over 160 Legion branches were founded that first year of 1926. This included Courtenay Branch #17 which was followed locally by Cumberland Branch #28 and later by Comox Branch #160 in 1939.
From the Archives: Photo of the Month June 2026
Long-time Courtenay meter reader Billy Hayman with a good catch, ca. 1920. This photograph appears on page 168 of Step into Wilderness: A Pictorial History of Outdoor Exploration in and around the Comox Valley.
Hot Chocolates Turns 40 Years Old
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Hot Chocolates opening for business in downtown Courtenay. The newspaper ad seen here, celebrating one year in business, appeared in the June 12, 1987 edition of the Comox District Free Press. Note the original shop location on Duncan Avenue where the Backdoor Gallery & Studio is today.
Driftwood Mall Turns 50 Years Old
For the community, this was front page news on May 5, 1976 in the Comox District Free Press newspaper: “The ribbon has been cut and the doors are officially open at the new shoppers’ mall in Courtenay.”
From the Archives: Photo of the Month April 2026
Here a four-horse team driven by Mr. Edwards and Tom Idiens works on ploughing the fairway of the recently formed Comox Golf Club, April 1924. This S.B.W. (Dusty) d’Esterre photograph appears on page 136 of Step into Wilderness: A Pictorial History of Outdoor Exploration in and around the Comox Valley.
From the Archives: Photo of the Month March 2026
Local members of the British Columbia Women’s Service Corps display plums picked for the “Jam for Britain” campaign, ca. 1941. Left to right: Pam Harvey, Mrs. Lucy Muir, Mrs. Clive, Mary Bell.
New Exhibit at the Comox Museum
The Comox Archives and Museum Society just opened their new exhibit, 80 Years Ago: A Comox Time Capsule. This display highlights a pivotal time in Comox — where the community rallied together after the war, pushed for incorporation, and even endured the island-shaking 1946 earthquake.