Advertisement For Corfield Farm Subdivision, 1913

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Vancouver Island Masonic History Project

While doing some research on various topics, our Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian came across this advertisement for the subdivision of Corfield Farm, which had been established by George Corfield and, until 1913, had been one of the largest family run farms in the Duncan area.

1913 advertisement for the subdivision of Corfield Farm. (photo: Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian)
1913 advertisement for the subdivision of Corfield Farm. (photo: Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian)

Using the map in the above advertisement, we have tried to replicate the location on this Google Map by using the South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club, 2290 Cowichan Bay Road, located at the intersection of Cowichan Bay Road and Tzouhalem Road, as a central location since it is located within the area shown in the advertisement map of the Corfield Farm subdivision.


Here is a Google Street View of what the area of Corfield farm looks like today:


Corfield family members Norman Tressidor Corfield and John Frederick Corfield were both members of Temple Lodge No. 33.

In 1913, when the subdivision of their family’s Corfield Farm was being undertaken, Norman Tressidor Corfield was building the Duncan Garage for his automobile dealership and garage business, Duncan Garage Ltd.

Duncan Garage, built in 1913 by Temple Lodge No.33 members Norman T. Corfield and John F. Corfield.
Duncan Garage, built in 1913 by Temple Lodge No.33 members Norman T. Corfield and John F. Corfield.

Another Masonic connection to Corfield Farm is through the poet Robert Service (1874-1958), who worked for George Corfield on Corfield Farm for four years as a cowhand and,later, as a storekeeper. Robert Service also acted as a tutor to George Corfield’s sons, and future Temple Lodge members,  Norman Tressidor Corfield and John Frederick Corfield. This Times-Colonist story on Robert Service at Corfield Farm is excerpted from a biography of Robert Service by Enid Mallory.

Robert Service was a Freemason; he was a member of Yukon Lodge No. 45, Dawson City, Yukon.

A memorial to Robert Service now stands at the Robert Service Memorial Park, on land that was once part of Corfield Farm that was subdivided in 1913.

Here is a map showing its location:


Here is a Google Street View image of the memorial:

Here are links to some pages with more information on Robert Service:

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1926 Advertisement For Dodge Brothers Motor Cars And Its Duncan Dealer, Thomas Pitt

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Deceased Brethren

While doing some historical research we came across this 1926 advertisement for Dodge Brothers Motor Cars, showing the Vancouver Island Dodge dealers of the time, including the Duncan “Associate Dealer”, Thomas Pitt Ltd. owned by Temple Lodge No. 33 member Thomas Pitt (1870-1937).

1926 advertisement for Dodge Brothers Motor Cars, showing the Vancouver Island Dodge dealers, including Thomas Pitt, Duncan (photo by Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian)
1926 advertisement for Dodge Brothers Motor Cars, showing the Vancouver Island Dodge dealers, including Thomas Pitt, Duncan (photo by Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian)

Thomas Pitt Ltd. seems to have been operating in downtown Duncan in the triangular block bordered by Government Street, Jubilee Street and Kenneth Street.

Although this seems an unlikely location for a car dealership today, it would have been a prime location for a car dealer and garage in 1926 because Government Street was part of the Island Highway through Duncan. It would have made complete sense to have automobile related businesses located on the Island Highway, in the same way that most Duncan car dealers are located on the current Island Highway today.

Here is a map showing the location of this downtown Duncan block bordered by Government Street, Jubilee Street and Kenneth Street. We know there were car dealers operating at 261 Government Street until the 1950’s.


After Thomas Pitt‘s death in 1937, there was other car dealers operating on this block, primarily where 267 Government Street (now Habitat For Humanity) now stands, until the 1950’s or early 1960’s.

In 1929 Thomas Pitt retained architect Douglas James to design and build a new office for Thomas Pitt Ltd. at 231 Government Street. , on the south east corner of the triangular block bordered by Government Street, Jubilee Street and Kenneth Street. The building is still standing today, although the arched windows in Douglas James‘ original design have been removed.

231 Government Street, Duncan, B.C. Built by architect Douglas James in 1929 for Thomas Pitt's automobile usiness
231 Government Street, Duncan, B.C. Built by architect Douglas James in 1929 for Thomas Pitt‘s automobile business

Here is a map showing the location of 231 Government Street, built by architect Douglas James for Thomas Pitt Ltd. in 1929.


Here is a Google Street View image of 231 Government Street:


Thomas Pitt was a Past Master of Temple Lodge No. 33. He served as Mayor of Duncan and was also involved in building the Cowichan Merchants Building in downtown Duncan.

Thomas Pitt as District Deputy Grand Master, circa 1918
Thomas Pitt as District Deputy Grand Master, circa 1918 (photo copyright Temple Lodge, No.33)

Thomas Pitt is buried in Mountain View cemetery, North Cowichan.

Thomas and Alice Pitt grave, Mountain View Cemetery, North Cowichan
Thomas and Alice Pitt grave, Mountain View Cemetery, North Cowichan

 

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Funeral Service For Godfrey Ferguson – 22 December 2018, 11:00 A.M.

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Temple Lodge No. 33 regrets to inform you that Bro. Godfrey Ferguson, of Malahat Lodge No. 107, has passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 12 December 2018.

There will be a funeral service for our late Brother Godfrey Ferguson at St. John’s Anglican Church, 486 Jubilee Street, Duncan, on 22 December 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

All are welcome to attend. The family has requested that no flowers be sent. Anyone wishing to do so can make a donation to the Cowichan Hospice Society’s Hospice House Project on behalf of our late Brother Godfrey Ferguson.

The Will Of God Is Accomplished. So Mote It Be.

St. John's Anglican Church, Jubilee Street, Duncan, B.C. Dedicated in 1905 by the Grand Master of B.C.
St. John’s Anglican Church, Jubilee Street, Duncan, B.C. Dedicated in 1905 by the Grand Master of B.C.

Here is a map showing the location of St. John’s Anglican Church, 486 Jubilee Street, Duncan:


Here is a Google Street View image of St. John’s Anglican Church:

Here is Godfrey Ferguson’s online obituary:

Obituary

Here is Douglas Godfrey Ferguson’s online obituary. Please accept Everhere’s sincere condolences.

Sadly, on December 12th 2018, Douglas Godfrey Ferguson (Duncan, British Columbia), born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan left us for a better place. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. He was predeceased by : his parents, William Douglas Ferguson, Mary Jane “Mae” Davidson; his sister, Virginia Marjorie “Dargie”; his son, Robert “Bobby” Leslie Douglas.

He is survived by : his wife, Jennifer; his children, Sandie, Julie, Dan; his grandchildren, Danielle, Blake, Janel, Lachlan, Marshall, Anneliese, Aidan, Haele; and also, Owen, Janet, Beth, Emily. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cowichan Hospice Society’s Hospice House Project in his name would be most appreciated, or to a charity of your choice. For the visitation and funeral service information please see event section below.

 

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