The Village c 1960

By Mary Hopson

The center of Shawnigan village is at the intersection of Mill Bay Road and Old Victoria Road. Most of the local "stores" are located here.

• Cudlip & Cann built a stucco terrace of five shops decades ago. The central shop has long been empty, the old post office is vacant, and the remaining are:

  • Byman's Coffee-shop

  • Cudlip & Cann’s Hardware

  • The barbers

    
    
    
    

• Aitken's and Fraser’s General Store:

  • Large white clapboard building with a shingled roof and front verandah.

  • Interior redesigned as a mini-supermarket.

  • Stocks: detergents, canned foods, frozen dinners, ice cream, baby clothes, seasonal items.

  • Staff: Archie & Verna Aitken, assisted by Betty Moon, Judy Tait, and Edie Edgson.

    
    
    
    

• Gibson’s Store: Sells sporting goods and does saw sharpening. Usually closed; Eric Gibson also works at the Garage.

  
  
  
  

• Alice’s Beauty Shop:

  • Located off Mill Bay Road.

  • Designed by Alice herself.

  • Alice also participates in the church choir, scouts, and writes plays for the local drama club.

    
    

• Mason’s General Store:

  • Near Renfrew Road, opposite public beach and auto-court.

  • Small white clapboard building.

  • Run by Pat and Eileen Mason. Daughter Rosemary is active in music.

  • Sells limited groceries, candy, and ice cream.

• Most residents buy some food locally but do main shopping in Duncan.

  
  

• Dougan’s Garage:

  • Built in 1920s, red roof, offers gas (Esso), car repair, taxi (VW bus), plumbing/electrical services.

  • Owner: Ray Dougan

  • Staff includes Les Batchelor.

  • Ray is a community figure, amateur filmmaker, and descendant of early Irish settlers.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES:

• RCMP:

  • Officer Bud Boyar, based in Shawnigan for 2 years.

  • Covers Shawnigan, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay, Malahat, Bear Creek.

  • Lives in red-brick police residence near Dougan’s.

  • Daily wear: khaki tunic, blue breeches with yellow stripe, scout hat.

  • Occasional red serge for formal events.

    
    

• Post Office:

  • Brick building with yellow panels and locked mailboxes.

  • No postmen—residents collect mail themselves.

  • Mail van stops 4 times daily between Nanaimo and Victoria.

  • No telegrams; issues one type of fire permit.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Artist E.J. Hughes lives in Shawnigan:

  • Known for painting 1858 steamboat immigrant scene for BC Centennial Year.

  • Commissioned to paint murals of Canadian life.

    
    

    

    
    

• Cougar hunter (previously mentioned):

  • Possibly supported by government bounty.

  • Uses special “cougar-hounds.”