February Watershed Moments

Here now is an image and quote from the museum’s award-winning book Watershed Moments – A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Enjoy!

Photo credit: View of original 5th Street bridge in Courtenay, ca. 1895. CDM 972.69.4. Page 46.

Photo caption: “Settlement on the west side of the Courtenay River can trace its roots back to Pidcock’s mill and to Joseph McPhee, who in 1888 hired George Drabble to survey and divide ten acres of land he held with Pidcock. Businessmen, speculators and settler families soon began to buy the lots. In 1894, McPhee opened his general store just west of the Courtenay River Bridge.” Page 56.