(with files from “Green Branches and Fallen Leaves”, Vancouver Sun, Victoria Daily Times)
As often happens in a small community, events are locally chronicled as being “before” or “after” some momentous or disastrous happening. “It” happened at Shawnigan shortly after noon on April 2nd, 1930, when fire completely destroyed the whole of the commercial village (SLAA Hall, McLaren’s Store, Post Office, McLaren building and barn, and the water tank along the tracks).
“Men from the Shawnigan lake Mill, neighbourhood stores and boys from the Lonsdale school fought the conflagration. They were handicapped, however, by the lack of water supply and the presence of a high wind.” Losses were estimated at $40,000 ($1.5 million today).
In November 1930, court heard from numerous victims of the fire in a special hearing at Shawnigan Lake. Margret Clay, Victoria Public Library Librarian testified to the value of the lost books. A H Killan of the Provincial Library testified that the Shawnigan Lake Library had been kept in better shape than most libraries in the province.
Justice W A Macdonald found the E&N Railway Company liable for the damage because of negligence in starting the fire on the right-of-way under dry climatic conditions at the time (there had been no rain for over a week at the time)
Almost a year after the court trial, on October 10,1931, the new community hall opened with grand ceremony:
The new hall erected by the Shawnigan Lake Athletic Association to replace the one destroyed by fire was officially opened Saturday evening.
C. H. Dickie, federal member for the district, performed the ceremony and accompanying him was Mrs. Dickie, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers by the ladies of the committee.
(from the Daily Times - October 14, 1932)
After making a tour of the building, Mr. and Mrs. Dickie were escorted to the stage in company with S. J. Heald, president; F. T. Elford, vice-president; Mrs. F. T. Elford, Mrs. A. I. Dyson and Mrs. F. M. Gannon. The president introduced Mr. Dickie to the 250 assembled guests.
In a happy little speech Mr. Dickie recalled the many pleasing events that have taken place in the old hall. He complimented the directors for their unselfish work, and stated that in his opinion the new hall was second to none on the Island. It was admirably planned, well-constructed, and was a standing monument to what could be accomplished with united effort. He urged the district to rally around the management and make it a true centre of community life and effort.
Following the formal opening a dance took place to music supplied by a five-piece orchestra.
The hall is equipped with every modern convenience, and is a third larger than the old hall.
H. E. Hawking and F. T. Elford acted as masters of ceremonies. The supper and arrangements were in the hands of Mrs. A. Kingsley and a group of Shawnigan ladies. They transformed the dining-room into a bower of autumn foliage and flowers, and served a dainty supper.
Those attending came from all parts of the district and also Victoria.
The “new” Community Hall was sold to a private owner around 1990 to help pay for the Community Centre, now in Elsie Miles Park. It was bought back again in 2015 by the CVRD as. Part of the Elsie Miles Park expansion.
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