Latest News
Courtenay Courthouse’s First Inmate
The front page of the Argus newspaper from April 9, 1952 spilled the beans with the headline ‘Smoky’ Johnson In Cells. “Mr. Anton “Smoky” Johnson, chimney sweep, was the first customer of the RCMP at their shining new quarters at the Court House. He over-stepped the mark too often and when he came before Magistrate Pidcock for making a nuisance of himself in a public place he got a sentence of $50 and costs. He hadn’t the coin so he is now in Oakalla and will be there for the next 60 days.”
It’s All There in Black and White: Courtenay’s Court House 1952
Courtenay's Court House officially opened on Monday, March 31, 1952. The building housed provincial government departments as well as the RCMP. This article from the April 3, 1952 Comox District Free Press gives all the details right down to the coal mixture used for heating (that's 50% Cumberland coal, in case you were wondering). With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
So Long Comox Creamery
Creamery booth at fair, 1920s. CDM 988.225.14. The Comox Co-operative Creamery Association reaches the end of a 118 year long story with the imminent closing of the Courtenay Saputo dairy processing plant. But it’s not the end for the Valley’s dairy farmers whose milk will now be hauled to the Island Farms plant in Victoria. "Smaller farms, with lower quantities of milk, could not always justify investing in a [cream] separator. Unless they worked co-operatively, they would retain a small share in the market. They had only a few cows to compete, and could not put as much to market as the [...]
Spring Fling and Easter Things
Mark Saturday, April 6 on your calendar as our annual family event is scheduled from 11am to 2pm here at the museum. Lots of new activities in store as well as some tried and true favourites (petting zoo alert!). Click for More Info
Courtenay’s Puntledge Elasmosaur Receives the Most Votes!
Thank You to All of Our Supporters! On November 23, 2018, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development closed its voting period for designation of a Provincial Fossil. Courtenay’s Puntledge elasmosaur, discovered by Mike Trask in 1988 was included as one of seven important fossils from around the province. Today we have the results with the elasmosaur having received forty eight percent of the votes. Thank you to the Ministry for seeking input through this process and to the British Columbia Palaeontological Alliance for its initiative. Thank you and congratulations to all who voted and to the City of Courtenay [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: Comox in 1959
In 1959 Comox was growing and on the move! Writer Ted Gaskell penned this inventory for a February 4 article in the Comox District Free Press. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
February 2019 Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image and quote from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Photo credit: Picking up the pieces after Courtenay's devastating 1916 fire. King Studio photograph. CDM 972.54.5 Page 113. Photo caption: "In [July] 1916, a devastating fire destroyed a city block, and the residents had only a bucket brigade with which to fight it. Joseph McPhee went to work once more to persuade his fellow citizens that the city should be in the water business." Page 113.
Merville – 100 Years and Counting Part 2
Merville was originally founded as a farming community, a government initiative for returned WWI veterans to settle on their own plot of land. It soon became apparent that land quality was questionable and people had to turn elsewhere for income to make ends meet. Here's a look back at the folks who made up Merville in 1941. Many loggers and farmers are noted but you'll also find a maid, a school teacher, an artist and even a Fuller Brush dealer! This listing is from the British Columbia and Yukon Directory for 1941.
Periodical Wisdom: February 2019
Nothing says "February romance" like the sniffles! Take heart cold sufferers and read on to find out how to get the better of "Winter's Special Beauty Problem." This entertaining column is from the February 17, 1938 edition of The Lady. It is one more example of the type of helpful hints that can be found in periodical magazines in our archival collection.
February 2019 Gift Shop News
Callling Local Artisans! The museum gift shop is looking for 2-3 new artisans willing to sell their items on a consignment basis. Items should be: locally crafted giftware suitable for the local and tourist market size appropriate (not too big or heavy) retailing for a maximum $50. Please note that the split for items sold under consignment is 60% to the artist and 40% to the museum. If you are interested, email details and photos of your wares to gmiller@courtenaymuseum.ca.
Heritage Week 2019
Photo credit: CDM 972.55.18 The ladies tug of war was reported to be a very amusing innovation. And talk about “the tie that binds”…they’re using actual rope! This year's BC Heritage Week (February 18-24) theme is "The Tie That Binds." One way to interpret that theme is "those who play together, stay together." Whether it was a picnic or dance party, celebrating together connected people. A notable example from the Valley's past was the May 24, 1916 festivities at Comox Goose Spit prepared by the 102nd Battalion. The Courtenay Review newspaper of May 25 recounted that the soldiers decorated the grounds, provided [...]
Lecture: Henry & Self
Time and Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum Speaker: Kathryn Bridge Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public (plus GST). Advance tickets strongly recommended as lectures frequently sell out. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 5. In recognition of International Women's Day, author Kathryn Bridge speaks about the life of Sarah Crease, a remarkable woman who lived through nearly a century of British colonial history. Continue Reading This presentation is made possible with financial assistance from The Canada Council for the Arts through The Writers' Union [...]
January 2019 Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image and quote from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Photo credit: The Island Realty Company, ca. 1911. Left to right: Unknown, Billy (William) Miller, P. Leo Anderton. CDM 991.164.1. Pages 72-73. Photo caption: "In 1911, Peter Leo Anderton was one of the young businessmen who saw great potential in the new commercial district forming on the west side of the Courtenay River. Always known as P.Leo, he began as a notary public, working from his home, and then added insurance as well as real estate sales. He [...]