Fonds consists of photographs of the Gorge Harbour Lodge and Lodge activities, the Corneille and Ballantyne families, and Gladys Ballantyne's house, Gypsy Hill.
Bobby (Elizabeth) Corneille Ballantyne (1914-2009) was born in Vancouver and moved to Cortes Island as a young child. She was 4 years old when her father died suddenly on Marina Island in 1919; she remembers that they had to wait 3 days for a Union Steamship to get the body. Her mother Tena (Sarah Christena) Corneille (1877-1949) bought a tourist lodge at the east end of Gorge Harbour in 1929, and ran it until 1936 with the help of her two teen-age daughters. Gorge Harbour Lodge offered accommodations in the main building or in tents, tennis and badminton courts, and excellent boating, bathing and fishing. Vacationers came up from Vancouver on the Union Steamships for a round-trip ticket price of $6.65. The annual Regatta was the main social event of the season, with people arriving by boat from Cortes and the surrounding islands. It featured boat and swimming races, and a dance in the evening.
Gladys Georgeson Ballantyne (1882-1964), first came to Cortes in about 1910. In about 1920 she bought a property in Whaletown (now 640 Whaletown Rd.) that she called "Gypsy Hill". She was one of the original members of the Whaletown Friendly Circle, later the Whaletown Women's Institute. Gladys, her son Bill, daughter Valerie and her fiance were all on Cortes building a summer cottage when the Depression suddenly hit. Their off-island jobs fell through, and they remained at "Gypsy Hill" for the duration.
Bill Ballantyne (1908-1993) was in the Merchant Marine from 1924-1929. When he was unable to find work on ships during the Depression, he took whatever jobs he could find hand-logging and fishing. Bill and Bobby Corneille were married in 1937. They and other young Whaletown residents formed the Gorge Harbour Dramatic Society to help raise funds to build a community hall, and Bill was the work boss of the building crew for the Gorge Hall. In 1941 they moved to Victoria, and after the war settled in Courtenay with their two sons Peter and Ross. In the late 1950s they returned to Whaletown on Cortes Island where they fished for many years on the gulf troller “Viking”. During that time many young “deckhands” spent time aboard during summer vacations. On retirement, Campbell River became their home.
Custodial History
Electronic records were downloaded in 2012 from an internet address provided by Peter Ballantyne. One photograph was scanned from a photograph temporarily loaned by John and De Clarke.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs of the Gorge Harbour Lodge and Lodge activities, the Corneille and Ballantyne families, and Gladys Ballantyne's house, Gypsy Hill.
Item consists of the continuation of an interview with Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. On Side A, Etta Byers talks about her childhood on Cortes, how she met Clarence and her married life in Seaford, Von Donop, Powell River and Courtenay. On Side B, Clarence talks about when his family moved to Cortes Island, and his experiences logging, starting at age thirteen. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Item consists of the continuation of an interview with Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. On Side A, Etta Byers talks about her childhood on Cortes, how she met Clarence and her married life in Seaford, Von Donop, Powell River and Courtenay. On Side B, Clarence talks about when his family moved to Cortes Island, and his experiences logging, starting at age thirteen. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
This is the continuation (Part 3) of an interview of Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. Clarence talks about his family history; moving to Cortes Island, logging on Cortes in the Von Donop/Blue Jay Lake/Carrington Bay area; road-building; and the arrival of Japanese oysters to Cortes beaches in ca. 1938. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
This is the continuation (Part 3) of an interview of Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. Clarence talks about his family history; moving to Cortes Island, logging on Cortes in the Von Donop/Blue Jay Lake/Carrington Bay area; road-building; and the arrival of Japanese oysters to Cortes beaches in ca. 1938. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Verso: "Truck logging at Seaford, Cortez Isld. Scotty McKenzie with pike pole. Clarence Byers truck driver. Hayes Anderson truck.
Moved to Von Donop Oct 1st, 1939.
Five families:
1. Henry and Ruth Byers
2. Ervin and Florence McKay
3. Clarence and Etta Byers
4. Scotty and Amy McKenzie
5. Ken and Hazel Hansen
Ervin and Florence were parents of Etta and Hazel.
Henry and Ruth were parents of Amy and Clarence.
Verso: "Truck logging at Seaford, Cortez Isld. Scotty McKenzie with pike pole. Clarence Byers truck driver. Hayes Anderson truck.
Moved to Von Donop Oct 1st, 1939.
Five families:
1. Henry and Ruth Byers
2. Ervin and Florence McKay
3. Clarence and Etta Byers
4. Scotty and Amy McKenzie
5. Ken and Hazel Hansen
Ervin and Florence were parents of Etta and Hazel.
Henry and Ruth were parents of Amy and Clarence.
Item is an interview of Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. Etta Byers was a granddaughter of Mike Manson, and she talks about her family history, Cortes people and incidents, and memories of growing up on the island. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Item is an interview of Etta and Clarence Byers by Oonagh O'Connor. Etta Byers was a granddaughter of Mike Manson, and she talks about her family history, Cortes people and incidents, and memories of growing up on the island. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Photo depicts a group of people who lived at the Von Donop creek logging camp (buildings not shown).
Back: Scotty McKenzie, Clarence Byers, Henry Byers, Ken Hansen
Seated: Ervin McKay, Florence McKay, Ruth Byers
End at right: Hazel Hansen, Amy McKenzie
Babies: Irene and Lorraine Byers
Photo depicts a group of people who lived at the Von Donop creek logging camp (buildings not shown).
Back: Scotty McKenzie, Clarence Byers, Henry Byers, Ken Hansen
Seated: Ervin McKay, Florence McKay, Ruth Byers
End at right: Hazel Hansen, Amy McKenzie
Babies: Irene and Lorraine Byers
Fonds consists of photographs and records of the Cortes Walking Group. Photographs depict walks and social activities and are arranged in two albums and one printed photo book. Textual records include two small notebooks with notes of walk routes, times and participants; membership lists; and accounts of activities with associated photographs, including a history of the Walking Group. A copy of the cerlox-bound "Listings of the Cortes Island Cemeteries" contains annotations up to 2020, mostly concerning the Mansons Landing cemetery.
The Cortes Walking Group was started in September of 2000 when Ann Dewar and Gail Ringwood decided to meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 AM to walk and put up a sign announcing their intention. The days were changed to the still-current schedule of Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and soon incorporated a visit to a coffee shop following the outings.
Walking Group activities are ongoing (2024). Walks leave from the parking lot at Manson's Hall at 9 AM sharp and are open to everyone. The route is decided just before the walks, which last anywhere from 45 minutes to 4 hours, but are usually one to two hours long.
Custodial History
The photo albums were mostly assembled by Gail Ringwood using photographs taken by Richard Trueman, Jurek and Gina Trzesicka and other group members. They were kept in the Pioneer Room at Manson's Hall and then at the Co-op Cafe. They were donated to the Museum by Sue Ellingsen and Myrna Kerr, members of the Walking Group, in 2022.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs and records of the Cortes Walking Group. Photographs depict walks and social activities and are arranged in two albums and one printed photo book. Textual records include two small notebooks with notes of walk routes, times and participants; membership lists; and accounts of activities with associated photographs, including a history of the Walking Group. A copy of the cerlox-bound "Listings of the Cortes Island Cemeteries" contains annotations up to 2020, mostly concerning the Mansons Landing cemetery.
L to R: Art Hayes, Nerine Hayes, Frank Hayes, Florence McKay, Gwen Campbell, Fraser Campbell.
Front: Bobby Hayes, Irene Hayes, Clarence Byers and Queenie the dog.
L to R: Art Hayes, Nerine Hayes, Frank Hayes, Florence McKay, Gwen Campbell, Fraser Campbell.
Front: Bobby Hayes, Irene Hayes, Clarence Byers and Queenie the dog.
Recording is an oral history interview of Duncan Robertson by Oonagh O'Connor (Part 2 of 2). Topics covered include Dunc's children Ann (Dewar) and Lynn (Summers); oysters; the Whaletown store; early telephone system; mining; the Robertson family; the ferry; changes in wildlife population he has observe over the years; and logging practices. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Duncan Robertson by Oonagh O'Connor (Part 2 of 2). Topics covered include Dunc's children Ann (Dewar) and Lynn (Summers); oysters; the Whaletown store; early telephone system; mining; the Robertson family; the ferry; changes in wildlife population he has observe over the years; and logging practices. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
DVD of a short film directed and shot by George Sirk at the Cortes Recycling Center and footage shot by Sirk of a performance by the Cortes Theatre Group.
Copyright George Sirk; to be used for display and research purposes only.
Copied from George Sirk's VHS tapes with his permission to use the contents for display and research purposes.
Scope and Content
DVD of a short film directed and shot by George Sirk at the Cortes Recycling Center and footage shot by Sirk of a performance by the Cortes Theatre Group.
Copyright George Sirk; to be used for display and research purposes only.
Recording is an oral history interview of May and Elmer Ellingsen by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include how Elmer came to the island and met May; logging experiences; Cortes roads and telephone system; and living at Von Donop Inlet. Several humorous stories are related. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of May and Elmer Ellingsen by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include how Elmer came to the island and met May; logging experiences; Cortes roads and telephone system; and living at Von Donop Inlet. Several humorous stories are related. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of May Ellingsen by Oonagh O'Connor. May traces her family history and then talks about her childhood on Cortes and Hernando Islands; meeting and marrying Elmer; living in a float house at logging camps in Loughborough Inlet, Phillips Arm and Von Donop Inlet; and moving the house to Hague Lake in 1952. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of May Ellingsen by Oonagh O'Connor. May traces her family history and then talks about her childhood on Cortes and Hernando Islands; meeting and marrying Elmer; living in a float house at logging camps in Loughborough Inlet, Phillips Arm and Von Donop Inlet; and moving the house to Hague Lake in 1952. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Dolly (Jeffery) and Harold Hansen by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include the Jeffery family history; how Harold came to Cortes; logging; picking salal; and raising eight foster children. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording is an oral history interview of Dolly (Jeffery) and Harold Hansen by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered include the Jeffery family history; how Harold came to Cortes; logging; picking salal; and raising eight foster children. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording consists of a round-table discussion, held to gather information for the "The Von Donop Creek Story" exhibit. Participants were [CHECK] (See 1999.004.048 for Part 3)
Recording consists of a round-table discussion, held to gather information for the "The Von Donop Creek Story" exhibit. Participants were [CHECK] (See 1999.004.048 for Part 3)
Recording consists of a round-table discussion, held to gather information for the "The Von Donop Creek Story" exhibit. Participants were [CHECK] (see 1999.004.047 for Parts 1 and 2)
Recording consists of a round-table discussion, held to gather information for the "The Von Donop Creek Story" exhibit. Participants were [CHECK] (see 1999.004.047 for Parts 1 and 2)
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