We came across this 1938 advertisement for McLaughlin-Buick, placed by Davis-Drake Motors Ltd., Government Street at Kenneth Street in downtown Duncan.
1938 advertisement for McLaughlin-Buick, from Davis-Drake Motors Ltd., Government Street at Kenneth Street in downtown Duncan.
We are not sure about exactly where Davis-Drake Motors Limited was located at the intersection of Government Street and Kenneth Street but we think it was in what is now the Habitat For Humanity Restore at 251 Government Street.
Here is a map showing the location of 251 Government Street:
Here is a Google Street View image of 251 Government Street:
WE are not sure about exactly where Davis-Drake Motors Limited was located at the intersection of Government Street and Kenneth Street but we think it was in what is now the Habitat For Humanity Restore at 251 Government Street.
Here is a map showing the location of 251 Government Street:
Here is a Google Street View image of 251 Government Street:
While doing some research on various topics, we came across this 1913 advertisement for the subdivision of Corfield Farm, which had been established by George Corfield and, until 1913, had been one of the largest family run farms in the Duncan area.
1913 advertisement for the subdivision of Corfield Farm, along what is now Cowichan Bay Road and Bench Road (Duncan Sightseeing collection),
Using the map in the above advertisement, we have tried to replicate the location on this Google Map by using the South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club, 2290 Cowichan Bay Road, located at the intersection of Cowichan Bay Road and Tzouhalem Road, as a central location since it is located within the area shown in the advertisement map of the Corfield Farm subdivision.
Here is a Google Street View of what the area of Corfield farm looks like today:
Corfield family members Norman Tressidor Corfield and John Frederick Corfield were both instrumental in creating a landmark downtown Duncan building, the Duncan Garage.
In 1913, when the subdivision of their family’s Corfield Farm was being undertaken, Norman Tressidor Corfield was building the Duncan Garage for his automobile dealership and garage business, Duncan Garage Ltd.
1926 advertisement for Dodge Brothers Motor Cars and the Dodge dealer in Duncan, Thomas Pitt (Duncan Sightseeing collection),
In 1929 Thomas Pitt retained architect Douglas James to design and build the present building at 231 Government Street as an offices for Thomas Pitt’s car dealership. Unfortunately, Thomas Pitt’s automobile dealership went bankrupt in the Great Depression.
We think the Thomas Pitt Dodge dealership was located at what is now 231 Government Street and 251 Government Street. Here is a map showing that location:
Here is a Google Street View image of 251 Government Street at Kenneth Street:
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As part of our series on Historic Duncan Advertisements and Historic Duncan Advertisements – Transportation here is a 1940 advertisement for the Salt Spring Island Ferry.
Note that in the days before BC Ferries, it was operated by a private company, the Gulf Islands Ferry Company Ltd.
1940 advertisement for the Salt Spring Island Ferry. In the days before BC Ferries, it was operated by the Gulf Islands Ferry Company Ltd. (Duncan Sightseeing collection)
Note that there were only two sailing per day but no sailings on Wednesday.
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As part of our series on Historic Duncan Advertisements and Historic Duncan Advertisements – Real Estate here is a 1912 advertisement from Abbott & Sutherland, a now defunct Victoria realty company, for Cowichan Lake Gardens, a then new subdivision “on the South Arm of the Beautiful Cowichan Lake with the Robertson River running through the Estate.”
1912 advertisement for the Cowichan Lake Gardens subdivision in Lake Cowichan (Duncan Sightseeing collection)
Note the descriptions of the property: “Best fishing”; “Ask any Victoria man about the hunting”; “the largest and most interesting lake in Vancouver Island”; “unsurpassed as a tourist resort and must become the most popular of western Canada”
Also note the prices: $5.500 to $6,250 for 20 acres of waterfront property.
As part of our series on Historic Duncan Advertisements, here is a 1930 advertisement for Vancouver Island Coach Lines showing the Duncan bus schedules at the time.
“A Streak of Orange…The Staccato Hum of the Exhaust, and It’s Gone!” LOL! It is unlikely any transportation company today would be advertising about “The Staccato Hum of the Exhaust” or “A Streak of Orange”. As for the “Streak of Orange” we are guessing the Vancouver Island Coach Lines buses of the period were painted orange. We are looking for a colour photo from the period to confirm that.
1930 advertisement for Vancouver Island Coach Lines showing the Duncan bus schedules. (Duncan Sightseeing collection)
Vancouver Island Coach LInes is now owned by Wilson’s Transportation.
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As part of our series on Historic Duncan Advertisements, here is a July 1947 advertisement in the Cowichan Leader announcing the opening of Bucky’s Sport Shop, 171 Craig Street, at the corner of Craig Street and Kenneth Street.
Although the Arcade Building mentioned in the advertisement has been demolished, Bucky’s Sport Shop is still in business at the same location.
1947 advertisement in the Cowichan Leader the opening of Bucky’s Sport Shop. (Duncan Sightseeing collection)
