Category Archives: It’s All There in Black and White

It was all hands on deck for the Comox Valley spring clean-up of 1970 as seen in this March 18 article from the Comox District Free Press.

But, you may be asking, what the heck is SPEC? Why it is the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation of course! Founded in 1969, SPEC’s website identifies itself as the “oldest environmental non-profit in Canada.”

The Comox Valley SPEC group and hundreds of volunteers made our local campaign the biggest in BC that year.

With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.

An important anniversary to note – it has been 50 years since the first credit card was used at Comox Valley businesses. Check out this article from the February 4, 1970 edition of the Comox District Free Press to see merchant reactions.

The Chargex logo from the 1970’s:

With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.

Bit of a surprise to find late night shopping in 1947 but that’s what was happening on 5th Street according to this ad from the January 30 Comox District Free Press.

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With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.

The Comox Valley was really coming into its own with the opening of a cold storage locker plant at the corner of Fitzgerald Avenue and 5th Street in downtown Courtenay. Over 2,000 people attended the grand opening day that was advertised in the Comox District Free Press from December 12, 1946.

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With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.

Blackouts to avoid air attacks during WW II were not limited to Europe. The Comox Valley was also under threat and observed its first blackout in 1941.

This article from the December 11 edition of the Comox District Free Press tells of some successes, a car accident and local first aid stations.

With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.

A reminder to readers that October 6-12 is fire prevention week.

The Duncan family lost a landmark as noted in this October 3, 1935 Comox District Free Press article. Firefighter Cliff Laver sustained an injury and a strange loss that confirmed the intensity of the fire.

With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.

A brush with “celebrity” for Valleyites in September of 1927 when Premier J.D. MacLean officially opened the new consolidated schools. The article from the September 8th edition of the Courtenay Free Press goes on to list some interesting statistics about the growth of education in BC.

With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.

Now there was a innovative use for Lewis Park…car bingo! Loretta Favero (later Loretta Briggs) won a brand new Austin Healey sports convertible as seen in this August 6, 1958 edition of the Comox District Free Press.

With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.

Comox Valley Royal watchers were treated to a personal appearance in 1958. Princess Margaret visited Lewis Park, St. Joseph’s Hospital and the RCAF airport in Comox. This article from the July 23, 1958 Comox District Free Press gives info on everything from what she ate for lunch to who she visited at the hospital!

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With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.

The Courtenay & District Memorial Outdoor Pool officially opened on July 1st 70 years ago. Once the solemn dedication ceremony was completed, there was time for some shenanigans as reported in this Comox District Free Press article from July 7, 1949.

With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.