Our cottage was built about 1919 on a knoll 100 yards behind Karen and Barry Davidsons place. It was 16 ft. by 16 ft. and was built by Mr. Blair and assisted by Bob Simson Sr. and Oscar Marion. In the late 20's, a back porch was added and enclosed to make a kitchen; its floor was made from massive boards salvaged from a barge which had broken up on the west beach. An open front porch was also added to provide sleep­ing accommodation.

 

In 1977, both porches were completely rebuilt, the roof was removed and reoriented to run east west and the cottage was winter proofed. The original 1920 foundation and floor remain which qualifies us for Heritage Status!

 

The original owner was Agnes Mitton, my grandmother. Subsequently, the cottage passed through assorted uncles and aunts finally arriving in my hands in 1964, the year Buccaneer Bay Holdings was established. Thus my grandchildren, Jana, Mark and Scott Ellis are fifth generation campers - not quite a local record but close.

 

My earliest recollections date from the 1930's. At 7 o'clock we would hear the farmers wagon rattling down the farm road. We were his first customers and we purchased fresh milk, vegetables and fruit. Several times a summer, he butchered a steer or a sheep and the various campers had a roast dinner. Until a few years ago, the remnants of the abattoir could be seen beside the path leading from the farmhouse site to farm bay.

 

The store, which is now the McLaughlin cottage provided a remarkable variety of goods and services.  Aside from the expected bread, butter, canned goods and staples, there was pop, candy bars, replacement parts for lamps, coal oil, gasoline and, about once a week, ice cream kept cold by ice shipped from Vancouver. Mail arrived three times a week and was sorted by the store keeper who also collected outgoing mail. It was also his duty to inform the ship's Captain if there were passengers to be picked up; this he did by hoisting a white flag on a pole by the existing playing field.

 

Charlie Summers, the storekeeper, worked incredibly hard for what must have been very little profit. His supplies together with arriving campers were delivered by Union Steamships to the float in the middle of the Bay. Charlie would wrestle the freight, including blocks of ice into a large rowboat, row ashore and transport the lot by wheel barrow up the three plank walk way to the store. His ever present cigar was obviously a source of comfort and, as well, it gave the store a certain atmosphere. He had one fail­ing, however, but people were tolerant of his annual period of over indulgence.

 

We walked to the store through the path way which is now the road to the Leigh and Van Roggen cottages. Besides this path were the privies belonging to the front row of cottages. Quite logically the path was named Lavender Lane.

 

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A sluice gate with a flapper valve had been installed at the end of the slough.  As the tide rose, the valve closed and as the tide fell it opened, draining the meadow. The resulting grassy area pasture for the farmers cattle and a rudimentary golf course for the golfers. This dual tenancy created a different kind of golfing hazard. The meadow was also the site for land events on sports day. Incidentally, prizes were gift certificates for use at Charlie's store.

 

Usually the cattle were restricted by gates from entry to the front beach. On one occa­ sion, however, my mother encountered the bull by the communal water pump.                                                                                                                         She picked up my brother David and scurried to safety. Later, she told Louie Fulton, and he assured her that the bull was as gentle as a lamb.  That winter, Louie was trampled by the lamb and barely escaped with his life!