A heritage home in the heart of the Cowichan Valley
After an active day visiting our wineries, kayaking our lakes, rivers and ocean, or hiking our many scenic trails, it will be wonderful to return to a beautiful, heritage home surrounded by mature, blossoming gardens.
We serve a choice of continental or hot breakfast using in-season produce and home baking, served on fine china in our spacious breakfast room.
Located on a quiet cul-de-sac a short drive from the bijoux shopping paradise of downtown Duncan, you will be assured the restful privacy you crave. Enjoy a glass of wine on a sun-bathed patio, or sit in the shade of the trees and read a good book.
Nanaimo and Victoria are both within an hour's scenic drive.
Closer to home, we are within 15 minutes of Queen Margaret's, Queen of Angels and Duncan Christian Schools, the Cowichan Theatre and Chesterfield Sportsplex. The BC Forest Museum is just up the road and a 20 minute drive will have you in Chemainus for the dinner theatre there or to view the murals.
The House
The house was built in 1929 to replace a much older one that had been destroyed by fire in 1928. In those days, the lots were five acres in size and this area was quite the British enclave, with many ex-pats and remittance men living in relative luxury.
By this time, Duncan was a booming little town. It began in 1886 when the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railroad came through the area. The story goes that the local merchants stopped the train on which Prime Minister John A. Macdonald was traveling. He promised them a station, "You'll have your station, boys!" he reportedly shouted as the train pulled away.
William Duncans was asked to provide a stop on his farmland which just happens to be downtown Duncan today.
In 1896 copper was discovered and for six years beginning in 1902 a mine was the main economic contributor. Since the closing of the mine, and the shut down of most forest related industries, agriculture, and tourism have been the economic forces.
While much has changed in the years since the original owners rode into town in their carriage and despite the fact that subdivisions have grown around us, the house has remained essentially the same... an island of old world peace in the bustling 21st century.
For more history of the Cowichan Valley click here.
