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.
Recording consists of oral history interviews of Doreen (Huck) Thompson and Wilfed Freeman by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered in Thompson's interview include Huck family history on Cortes; medical emergencies; gardening; fishing; hunting; logging. Topics covered in Freeman's interview include reminiscences of the island in 1927; roads; transportation. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording consists of oral history interviews of Doreen (Huck) Thompson and Wilfed Freeman by Oonagh O'Connor. Topics covered in Thompson's interview include Huck family history on Cortes; medical emergencies; gardening; fishing; hunting; logging. Topics covered in Freeman's interview include reminiscences of the island in 1927; roads; transportation. There is a short summary of the interview, written by May Ellingsen, in the cassette case.
Recording consists of interviews with Fred Reedel and Frank Tooker, done to gather information for the "Windows on Whaletown" exhibit. (see also 1999.004.034, for Part 2)
Recording consists of interviews with Fred Reedel and Frank Tooker, done to gather information for the "Windows on Whaletown" exhibit. (see also 1999.004.034, for Part 2)
Recording consists of an interview with Frank Tooker, done to gather information for the "Windows on Whaletown" exhibit. (see also 1999.004.033, for Part 1)
Recording consists of an interview with Frank Tooker, done to gather information for the "Windows on Whaletown" exhibit. (see also 1999.004.033, for Part 1)
Scan of Cortes Marketer 2011 containing Advisory Planning Commissions (APC) for local land use management; agenda from SRD Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) meeting; and local advertisements on back
Scan of Cortes Marketer 2011 containing Advisory Planning Commissions (APC) for local land use management; agenda from SRD Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) meeting; and local advertisements on back
DVD with footage shot by George Sirk of Carlberg General Merchants before it closed in May, 1987.
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 with footage shot by George Sirk of Carlberg General Merchants before it closed in May, 1987.
Copyright George Sirk; to be used for display and research purposes only.
Note: Two separate folders for 1960s-1990s and 2000-present. Info on, first ferry service to Cortes in 1969, service fares, routes, schedules, and controversies. Folder with old ferry tickets (1960s-1990s). Full issues of "BC Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement," 2012; "BC Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement: Feedback," 2012; and "Common Ground: Ferry Tales," 2015.
Note: Two separate folders for 1960s-1990s and 2000-present. Info on, first ferry service to Cortes in 1969, service fares, routes, schedules, and controversies. Folder with old ferry tickets (1960s-1990s). Full issues of "BC Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement," 2012; "BC Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement: Feedback," 2012; and "Common Ground: Ferry Tales," 2015.
Strathcona Regional District Official Community Plan and open letters to the Cortes Island community, 2011-2012. Additional documents relating to the Official Community plan, 2009-2012.
Strathcona Regional District Official Community Plan and open letters to the Cortes Island community, 2011-2012. Additional documents relating to the Official Community plan, 2009-2012.
Clippings, emails, and written info on history, people, events, placenames, schools, post offices, libraries, churches, parks, SRD updates, and businesses in Whaletown, info from 1867-2018. Additional keywords: Columbia Coast Mission; Whaletown Commons; Trude's Cafe; Wee Park; WNE. Excerpt from Phillip Major's Diary, 1948. Excerpts from Chalkdust & Outhouses, West Coast Schools 1893-1950, Barbara Ann Lambert, and The Log of the Columbia, 1947-1950. A Tour Guide to Whaletown, K. Pemberton, 1999. Letters to Doreen Thompson from Mary M. McMillan, Etta Byers, D. Henderson, McKay, and Peggy Munro Anderson, 1999. Photos (copies) from Norma DeWolfe of Whaletown store, dock, post office, ferry, 1970s.
Clippings, emails, and written info on history, people, events, placenames, schools, post offices, libraries, churches, parks, SRD updates, and businesses in Whaletown, info from 1867-2018. Additional keywords: Columbia Coast Mission; Whaletown Commons; Trude's Cafe; Wee Park; WNE. Excerpt from Phillip Major's Diary, 1948. Excerpts from Chalkdust & Outhouses, West Coast Schools 1893-1950, Barbara Ann Lambert, and The Log of the Columbia, 1947-1950. A Tour Guide to Whaletown, K. Pemberton, 1999. Letters to Doreen Thompson from Mary M. McMillan, Etta Byers, D. Henderson, McKay, and Peggy Munro Anderson, 1999. Photos (copies) from Norma DeWolfe of Whaletown store, dock, post office, ferry, 1970s.
Clippings, emails, and additional info on history of whaletown dock including government issued certificates, land registries, and subdivisions, 1903-2019.
Clippings, emails, and additional info on history of whaletown dock including government issued certificates, land registries, and subdivisions, 1903-2019.
Fonds consists of the records of the Cortes Island Ratepayers Association, an organization of the property owners and residents of Cortes Island from 1963 to 1984. They include administrative documents such as the constitution and membership lists, minutes of CIRA meetings, annual reports, newsletters to members, correspondence and materials related to the provision of services, land use planning and other issues of island concern.
The fonds is composed of the following series: Administrative Documents; Minutes; Financial; Newsletters and Notices; Correspondence; Subject; Community Planning and Land Use (Advisory Planning Commission); Clippings; and Maps and Plans.
The Cortes Island Ratepayers Association (CIRA) was an association of property owners and residents formed in 1963 to "further the development of the island and to have a representative body in dealing with the Provincial government."
The first activity initiated by CIRA was to lobby the provincial government for the provision of electricity and ferry service to Cortes Island. Their efforts met with success. Electricity was brought to the island in 1970 and ferry service from Quadra Island to Cortes Island began in 1969. CIRA also became an important forum for the discussion of other important services on Cortes Island, including roads, fire protection, garbage disposal, water quality, rural mail delivery and library facilities.
As a result of CIRA's efforts to bring electricity to Cortes Island, in 1967 the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Dan Campbell, designated Cortes Island a Local Improvement District. This made Cortes Island into a legal entity for the purpose of negotiating with the province for electrical power. In that same year, Minister Campbell invited CIRA to participate in discussions and committee work on the formation of a regional district level of government.
In 1968, Cortes Island was designated 'Electoral Area I' in the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona (RDCS) with an elected director. Under this system, a Regional Director is elected who in turn sits on the Board of the RDCS. Each Regional Director appoints an Advisory Planning Commission (APC), a committee of island residents who advise the Director on matters of island concern. In 1968, CIRA determined that the elected members of the executive of CIRA would form the APC for Cortes Island. This arrangement lasted until the dissolution of CIRA in 1984. The first zoning by-law was completed in 1970 and an Official Settlement Plan and zoning by-law in 1979.
In 1982, CIRA initiated a court case against Raven Lumber for non-compliance with the Cortes Island Official Settlement Plan and zoning by-law. CIRA won the case upon appeal, but in 1984 an Order in Council allowed Raven Lumber to proceed with their development. The court case had absorbed a great deal of CIRA energy and fund raising effort over a four year period. At the General Meeting in November, 1984 there were no candidates willing to stand for the executive. CIRA was declared inactive at that meeting and was never reactivated.
Custodial History
During the term of the last president of CIRA, the records were kept in the Gorge Harbour Community Hall on Cortes Island. After the dissolution of the CIRA in 1984, the records continued to be stored in the hall. The records were transferred to the Cortes Island Museum and Archives by the Whaletown Community Club (owner of the hall) in 2000.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the records of the Cortes Island Ratepayers Association, an organization of the property owners and residents of Cortes Island from 1963 to 1984. They include administrative documents such as the constitution and membership lists, minutes of CIRA meetings, annual reports, newsletters to members, correspondence and materials related to the provision of services, land use planning and other issues of island concern.
The fonds is composed of the following series: Administrative Documents; Minutes; Financial; Newsletters and Notices; Correspondence; Subject; Community Planning and Land Use (Advisory Planning Commission); Clippings; and Maps and Plans.
Regional Director of Electoral Area I (Cortes Island) fonds
Gilean Douglas fonds
Finding Aid
File list available
Arrangement
Materials were received in their original file folders, however the files were not in any discernible order. In the absence of original order, materials were arranged by function and subject at the series level and chronologically within series.
Series consists of CIRA general correspondence and APC general correspondence, as well as CIRA correspondence on specific issues, including ferry service, electrical and telephone service, the Regional District system of government, medical services, parks, wharves, environmental concerns, tax assessments, log dump and beach salvage, predators (wolves and cougars), oyster poaching, the road network, garbage collection and disposal, historic sites, library services, emergency response and policing, and the Raven Lumber subdivision proposal and ensuing court case.
Series consists of CIRA general correspondence and APC general correspondence, as well as CIRA correspondence on specific issues, including ferry service, electrical and telephone service, the Regional District system of government, medical services, parks, wharves, environmental concerns, tax assessments, log dump and beach salvage, predators (wolves and cougars), oyster poaching, the road network, garbage collection and disposal, historic sites, library services, emergency response and policing, and the Raven Lumber subdivision proposal and ensuing court case.
