“So many memories brought to mind.”

— Margo, South Surrey

Pender Islands Historical Timeline

Step back through the centuries and explore the rich history of Pender Island, from its earliest prehistoric roots to the vibrant community we know today. This interactive timeline lets you journey across key moments, uncover stories of the people and places that shaped the islands, and connect with the heritage that continues to inspire us. Use the filters to browse by year, explore distinct periods, or search by keyword to dive deeper into the events that matter most to you.

Select a period

Select a year

Enter Keyword

Use these filters to narrow down your entry results.

Showing: 201 - 225 of 338 entries
  1. 1920

    Harris Family Leaves

    The Howard Harris family leaves Pender for Saturna, and Albert Menzies retires to their home at Hope Bay. For the next decade, Albert’s son Victor leases and then buys his father’s farm, “Valley Home Farm“, located beside today’s Community Hall.

  2. 1920

    Brick Factory Closes

    The Coast Shale Company brick factory at Bricky Bay is closed and placed under caretaker status until its demolition in the mid-1920s.

  3. 1919

    First Roesland Cottage Rental

    First official record of a cottage at the Roesland Farm Resort being rented. The renters are the Gordon Gray family of Vancouver.

  4. 1919

    First Plane Sighting

    Arthur Spalding (1863-1932) sees a plane flying over his farm on South Pender for the first time on May 12th.

  5. 1919

    WWI Veterans

    Pender’s WWI veterans return and marry after years of waiting: Tom & Helen Walker on South Pender; Fred Smith & Peggy Hamilton on North Pender are among them.

    Marriage to Tom Walker
  6. 1918

    Death of John M. MacDonald

    John M. MacDonald (1843-1917) dies at age 74. His wife Jessie (1860-1953) lives to age 93.

  7. 1918

    Waterlea Purchased

    The Waterlea estate is purchased by Capt. John Muus and his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Craddock.

  8. 1918

    “Cy Peck” Refitted

    The ship “Daily” is purchased by Canadian Pacific Steamship Lines, refitted, and renamed the “Cy Peck“ in honour of a war hero and BC politician.

  9. 1917

    Prohibition Begins

    Prohibition of the sale of liquor in BC begins following a 1916 referendum. It will be repealed in 1921 and replaced with government-run liquor stores.

  10. 1917

    First Subdivision

    John MacKinnon registers the first planned subdivision on Pender on land purchased from Mr. Hayashi.

  11. 1917

    Women Get the Vote

    Women get to vote in provincial elections for the first time.

  12. 1916

    Reef Nets Outlawed

    The Canadian government outlaws Indigenous reef nets which had been used by the Coast Salish for millennia, but allow J. H. Todd & Sons to use nets fixed to the seabed. This practice continues from 1916-1940s, when Todd is bought out and that type of fishery is discontinued.

  13. 1915

    1915-16 Snowfalls

    The winter of 1915-16 sees major snowfalls on the island.

  14. 1915

    St. Peter’s Church Built

    St. Peter’s Anglican Church is built on Port Washington Road on land donated by Spencer Percival.

  15. 1915

    Dr. Aldridge Arrives

    Dr. Aldridge, a retired physician, and his wife Mary return to Pender to live full-time, purchasing land stretching from the Canal/Shark Cove area to the junction of today’s Canal & Aldridge Roads. They first came to live on South Pender ca 1910.

  16. 1915

    Heavy Logging Begins

    Heavy commercial logging begins on Pender, expanding after WWI.

  17. 1914

    WWI Service & Sacrifice

    From a total population of just over 200, 60 Pender Islanders will serve in WWI. Ten did not return: Lewis Shapter, James Hunter, Ross Brackett, Claude Proctor, Richard Evans, Harry Symes, Hugh Baker, Perry Powell, John Schloesser, and Godfrey Walker.

  18. 1913

    First Woman Runs for Office

    Jeannie Hamilton is the first woman to run for public office on Pender, as a school trustee. Sadly, she loses.

  19. 1912

    Second Hope Bay Store

    A larger, second Hope Bay Store and two small warehouses are built by R.S.W. Corbett.

    Painting by Pat Keiffer
  20. 1912

    Port Washington Hall Built

    The Port Washington Community Hall is built.

  21. 1912

    “The Maples” Built

    “The Maples” is built for Elijah Pollard on the shore of Port Browning by Walter Bowerman. (He will build many fine homes on the Penders that are still in existence.) Elijah marries Evelyn Robins in 1919, and The Maples will become a popular resort for 40 years.

    Known as “The Maples“, on Razor Point Rd
  22. 1912

    Pender Comes to Pender

    Having landed by rowboat on South Pender during a storm, William Usticke Pender of Cornwall, England, settles and starts a chicken farm in the valley. In 1914, “Bill“ marries Elizabeth Spalding, the second of the four Spalding children. Descendants will much later discover their connection to Captain Daniel Pender, for whom the Pender Islands are named.

  23. 1912

    New Ferry Service

    Canadian Northern Pacific railway inaugurates a new Gulf Island ferry service from Sidney with the steamer S.S. Joan.

  24. 1912

    Brick Factory Opens

    After buying 50 acres at what is now Bricky Bay, the Coast Shale Brick Company opens a brick factory, employing 75 men.

  25. 1912

    Schoolhouse Raised

    The 1902 Pender Island School is expanded by raising it on a brick foundation to make space for a lower level.