The Oak Bay Encyclopedia ^TM
T . H . E . .. E . A . R . L . Y . .. Y . E . A . R . S

A listing of noteworthy
people, places and things from
Oak Bay's early years

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Click on any letter, above, to visit specific section of encyclopedia

	O
	Oak Bay 10c Taxi 2013 Oak Bay Avenue (...1934–1936 city directories)
	see Oak Bay Taxi, W E Ferriday
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay 25c Taxi (1932..., 1937–1941, 1943 city directories) 2013 Oak Bay Avenue
	— ad in 1938 Welcome to Victoria guidebook
	see Oak Bay Taxi, W E Ferriday
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Auto Repair Station 1629 Foul Bay Road (1921 city directory)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Avenue 25c Taxi 2013 Oak Bay Avenue (1942 city directory)
This was the first year of operation after J.H. Bisson purchased the company from just-retired W.E. Ferriday. By the following year the name reverted back to Oak Bay 25c Taxi.
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Apartments 1943 — 2013 Oak Bay Avenue
	historic Avenue Theatre converted to an apartment block
	Built in 1913, this building started life as the Avenue Theatre, one of the first theatres designed specifically for the viewing of films. It was an independent movie house that played the popular silent films of the day — up until 1921 when it closed its doors.
	The building was then gutted to create a large open space, soon occupied by several automotive enterprises including Mechanical Motor Works and Victoria Auto Trunk Works.
	In 1931 it became a warehouse for W.E. Ferriday's cartage and storage operations through the 1930s and early 1940s.
	In 1943 the building was converted to a 10-suite apartment block — Oak Bay Apartments — which remains standing today.
	see Avenue Theatre, Mechanical Motor Works, Victoria Auto Trunk Works, W E Ferriday
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Arena see Patrick Arena
	Oak Bay Arts and Crafts 2246 Oak Bay Avenue (1938–1940 city directories)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Auto and Taxi 1795 Foul Bay Road (...1930... phone book)
	one of W.E. Ferriday's many transport/storage enterprises
	see W E Ferriday
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Auto and 10c Taxi 2013 Oak Bay Avenue ( ...1934... phone book)
	one of W.E. Ferriday's many transport/storage enterprises
	see W E Ferriday
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Avenue see Street/Place Names section
	Oak Bay Avenue Grocery Oak Bay Avenue, cor Monterey Avenue (1909 Vancouver Island Directory)
	E. E. Richards, proprietor
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Baggage & Transfer Company 2013 Oak Bay Avenue (...1934–1942... phone books) 2246 Oak Bay Avenue (1944–1946 phone books)
	One of W.E. Ferriday's many transport/storage enterprises
	see W E Ferriday
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Bakery 2007 Oak Bay Avenue (...1923... city directory) 2249 Oak Bay Avenue (...1939–1970... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay (Ball) Park (Windsor Park)
	built in 1895 to encourage winter ridership on the Oak Bay streetcar
	Royal BC Museum and Archives | H-02409 Lacrosse game at Oak Bay Park circa 1900 Click on image to view enlargement
	In 1891 the city streetcar line was extended into Oak Bay from the Junction. Ridership during summer months was encouraged by destinations like Oak Bay Beach, Mount Baker Hotel (1893) and the Victoria Golf Club (1893) but, to bolster ridership during winter months, the tram company built Oak Bay Ball Park in 1895 and promoted athletic events.1 The park boasted a cinder track, a playing field for lacrosse2 and baseball, and a grandstand seating 2,000. Many athletes of renown played here, including Hal Chase, considered the greatest first baseman of all time.
	In 1918 the tram company offered the park to the municipality for $10,000. The proposal was put to the ratepayers and was defeated by one vote.
	In 1921 the park was again made available to the municipality for the same $10,000, but this time payable over five years with no interest. It was again put to the ratepayers, and this time accepted.
1 Early names for the park were the BC Electric Railway Athletic Grounds and the Oak Bay Recreation Grounds. 2 Lacrosse was then recognized as Canada's national sport. In 1994 Parliament passed the Canada's National Sport Act which declared lacrosse to be the national summer sport of Canada and ice hockey to be the national winter sport of Canada.
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Beach
	a popular Oak Bay attraction since the 1890s
	Oak Bay Beach
	Oak Bay Beach was an early name given to the foreshore between today's Oak Bay Marina and Glenlyon Norfolk School.
	The Oak Bay streetcar, which started in 1891, was a shuttle service that connected the Oak Bay junction to Oak Bay Beach.
	see Oak Bay Camp
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Beach Hotel 1927 — 1175 Beach Drive
	Oak Bay Beach Hotel Profile under development
	Oak Bay Beauty Salon 2247 Oak Bay Avenue (1930–1932... phone books) 2239 Oak Bay Avenue (...1934–1942, 1947–1950 phone books) 1505 Wilmot Place (1950–1970... phone books)
	RBCM & A | A-02985 2239 Oak Bay Avenue Click on image to view enlargement
	Cold Wave Specialists FREE SET AFTER ALL PERMS. 2239 Oak Bay . . . . . . . Beacon-2833 — ad in 1947 phone book COMPLETE BEAUTY CARE Around Corner from Oak Bay Theatre JUNE LOWE 1505 Wilmot Pl . . . . . . . . . 2-2833 — ad in 1957 phone book
	Oak Bay Beauty Salon has served the municipality under several proprietorships from three locations, all in the village.
	Mrs Dollie Darling started the franchise in 1930 when she opened Oak Bay Beauty Salon at 2247 Oak Bay Avenue. The business was sometimes listed at Mrs Dollie Darling, hairdresser.
	In 1933 or 1934 she moved her business to the old house next door, at 2239 Oak bay Avenue. She had previously lived there as a tennant, but now, in the middle of the Depression, a small retail space had been built at the front of the house. She stayed there until 1937, when she sold the business.1
	Oak Bay Beauty Salon continued at the 2239 address under three proprietorships until 1942, when the business closed, at least temporarily.
	In 1947, Oak Bay Beauty Salon reopened and continued serving at the 2239 address until 1950 when the house was demolished to make way for a commercial building with two storefronts.2
	Oak Bay Beauty Salon immediately relocated to 1505 Wilmot Place in late 1950.3
1 She relocated to the city where, in 1941, she continued business as Mrs Dollie Darling beauty shop. 2 The new building that replaced the old house created two retail addresses with the Golden Galleon retaining the 2239 Oak Bay Avenue address and the Canadian Bank of Commerce occuping the other space at 2241 Oak Bay Avenue. 3 Subsequently called Oak Bay Hair Studio
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Boat Club Mt Baker Avenue (1909 Vancouver Islan Directory) 701 Beach Drive (...1912... city directory)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Boathouse 1890s–1962 1327 Beach Drive
	Oak Bay Archives | 1994-006-001 Oak Bay Boathouse Click on image to view enlargement .Food, Fun and Fishing OAK BAY BOATHOUSE DALE AND BETTY SCOTT Phone 4-9851 — text from ad in 1958 OBHS The Oak Leaf yearbook.
	This structure was demolished in 1962 to make way for the Oak Bay Marina.
	"Thanks so much for the wonderful old photo of the Oak Bay Marina as it once was. I can remember riding my bike down to the boathouse and watching the fishermen unloading and cleaning their boats. It was a great place to spend some idle time. One could even catch a jellyfish, it always felt so squishy and when it was dropped it made a very satisfying splat. Somehow, it just isn't quite the same inviting place today. How do we know we might be a little bit older? When the pictures of our special memories come courtesy of the Provincial Archives." — Gloria (Manson) Knudsen, OBHS class of 1960
	* * *
	"The Oak Bay Boat House is very warm in my heart. Bob Moffatt and I would clamber over the rocks from the golf club to Rattenbury Beach several times a week and stop at the Boathouse for a chocolate milk shake, which were the best." — Ian Else, OBHS class of 1960
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Book and Record Exchange 2228 Oak Bay Avenue (...1969–1970... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Camp 1889–1908
	an early Oak Bay summer tradition
	courtesy Phil Johnston Oak Bay Camp
	In 1889, eight enterprising young men conceived the idea to build a summer camp on Oak Bay Beach — not just for themselves, but also for guests on special occasions. The campsite consisted of individual tents for the campers and a kitchen — complete with cooking range and Chinese cook! The Camp's annual "At Home" gala became an Oak Bay tradition, with hundreds of invited guests dancing on the beach and sailing in lantern-lit boats on the bay.
	Click on MEMORABILIA to view or contribute recollections, photographs and artifacts
	see Oak Bay Beach
	Oak Bay Cleaners 2045 Oak Bay Avenue (...1969–1970... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Confectionery 1179 Newport Avenue (...1934–1940 city directories)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Delicatessen 2217 Oak Bay Avenue (1945–1957... phone books)
	"The Oak Bay Delicatessen was run by Mr. and Mrs. Fisher. They prepared all their food in the back, and the aroma was fantastic. Mrs. Fisher had a rather shrill voice and called you "dearie" while her husband was quite quiet. He had a lame leg which may have been paralyzed from a stroke so tended to drag it when he walked. They lived in a large house on Monterey Avenue, just north of the Oak Bay Grocery." — Richard Goodall, OBHS class of 1960
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Designers & Craftsmen 1196 Newport Avenue (...1919... city directory)
	painters, decorators, cabinet makers and repairers
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Dress Shop 2182 Oak Bay Avenue (1949–1950 phone books)
Former location of Oak Bay Girls' Shop Subsequent location of Individual Dry Cleaners
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Dry Cleaners 2045 Oak Bay Avenue (...1964–1967... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Dry Goods (1926–1957... city directories/phone books) Oak Bay Drygoods (...1959–1962... phone books) 2207 Oak Bay Avenue OAK BAY DRY GOODS CHILDREN'S WEAR, WOOL, NOTIONS, HOSIERY ETC. 2207 OAK BAY AVE.. — text from ad in 1957 OBJHS OBEJAY yearbook
Previous location of Mrs Emmie Randall, dry goods Subsequent location of The Village Shop
	see Marionette Library
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Elementary School 2165 Oak Bay Avenue
	courtesy Marg Kavanagh courtesy Marg Kavanagh Classes from the mid-1950s Click on image to view enlargement
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Fire Department 1703 Monterey Avenue
	Oak Bay Archives Original Oak Bay Fire Department Click on image to view enlargement
	Profile under development
	Oak Bay Florist 2248 Oak Bay Avenue (1914 city directory)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Flower Shop 1210 Newport Avenue (1934–1936 city directories) 2194 Oak Bay Avenue (1938 guidebook) 2223a Oak Bay Avenue (1939–1959 phone books) 2208 Oak Bay Avenue (1960–1970... phone books)
	— 1938 ad in Welcome to Victoria guidebook OAK BAY FLOWER SHOP .For a Complete Floral Service .Mrs. D.J. "Dorothy" Creagh . . . . . 2208 Oak Bay Ave. and R.K. "Keith" McEachern. . . . Phone EV. 3-6441 — text from ad in 1960 OBHS Oak Leaves yearbook
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Furniture Company 1179 Newport Avenue (1941 phone book)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Furniture Store 2248 Oak Bay Avenue (1940 city directory)
	second-hand furniture
	After one year on the Avenue with Oak Bay Furniture Store, proprietor Paul V Tempest relocated to 1179 Newport Avenue with Oak Bay Furniture Company. A year later it was simply Paul V Tempest, furniture.
	see Oak Bay Furniture Company, Paul V Tempest
Previous location of Oak Bay Pharmacy Subsequent location of The Cake Shop
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Garage 2675 Saratoga Avenue (...1918–1920... city directory / phone book) 2675 Windsor Road (...1930–1957... phone books)
	RBCM & A | I-00812 . Letterhead 1920 Oak Bay Garage 1942 Click on image to view enlargement
	In 1913, Victoria car dealer Thomas Plimley expanded his enterprise into Oak Bay by building Oak Bay Garage — a facility that offered a gas station, storage facilities and a motorcycle dealership. Plimley already had bicycle and car dealerships in town.1
	This was Oak Bay's first service station.2
	In 1929, new Oak Bay Hotel owners C.E. Wilson3 and A. McDermott applied for a zoning permit to build a gas station and storage garage opposite the hotel.
	The 1930 Victoria phone book shows that Thomas Plimley is no longer associated with Oak Bay Garage.
	During the late1940s the Community Cab Company also operated from this address but, with new ownership in 1950, was called Newport Taxi.
1 Thomas Plimley arrrived in Victoria from England in 1893 and started a bicycle business that same year. He expanded into automobiles and sold his first car in 1901. His wife Rhoda was the first woman driver in Victoria. 2 A building permit for the construction of this facility was refused by Oak Bay Council in November 1913, but the builders proceeded regardless. Council applied to the Court for a restraining injunction but was advised that the municipality had no powers to regulate the placing of any type of building in a particular location. From this lack of municipal control would evolve the Town Planning Act which is strictly adhered to today. 3 C.E. Wilson was Reeve of Oak Bay (1918-1919)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Girls' Drill Team 1944–1948
	Oak Bay Archives .Drill Team at Windsor Park. Click on image to view enlargement
	The Oak Bay Girls' Drill Team, sponsored by the Oak Bay Community Centre, was active from 1944 until 1948. The drill master was barber, Jim McCrimmon.
	see Lucky Jim Barber Shop
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Girls' Shop ladies clothing 2182 Oak Bay Avenue (1948 phone book)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Goblins football team
	1947 Vancouver Island champions
	original 1948 ticket .. . Historic 1948 Game in Alaska Click on image to view enlargement
	The Oak Bay Goblins, Vancouver Island champions in 1947, played in Alaska's first football game in 1948.
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Golf Links 1110 Beach Drive
	see Victoria Golf Club
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Grocery 2290 Oak Bay Avenue (1912–1913 city directories) 2292 Oak Bay Avenue (...1918... phone book) 2252 Oak Bay Avenue (...1930–1948 phone books)
	Ernie L Plant photo ... Oak Bay Grocery
	This building, designed by Percy Leonard James and built in 1912, is one of the oldest buildings in the Village. For three decades, from 1981, it was the site of the Blethering Place tea room.
	see McBratney's Fine Foods, Henderson's Oak Bay Grocery
	Click on MEMORABILIA to view or contribute recollections, photographs and artifacts
	Oak Bay Grocery, Meat Department 2248 Oak Bay Avenue (...1918... phone book)
	meat department of Oak Bay Grocery
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Hall 2186 Oak Bay Avenue (...1942–1948...city directories)
	Original name of Club Tango space
	see Club Tango
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Hardware 2213 Oak Bay Avenue (1914–1919, 1923–2010)
	RBCM & A | I-02257 Oak Bay Hardware Click on image to view enlargement
	Oak Bay Hardware Co. J. Harness General Hardware Ranges - Builders' Supplies - Paints, Etc. 2213 Oak Bay Ave. . . . Phone EV. 3-0141 — text from ad in 1959 OBHS Oak Leaves yearbook.
	Drake Hardware occupied this space from 1920–1921.
	see Drake Hardware
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay High School 1912 — 1929 — 2016
	two early buildings served as Oak Bay High School Royal BC Museum and Archives | F-00118 Original High School 1912–1928 Second High School 1929–2015
	Profiles under development
	Oak Bay High School Principals a listing of Oak Bay High principals for the first fifty years
	Original school (Oak Bay Avenue) 1915–1923 H P Hope 1923–1929 Gordon Downes Second school (Cranmore Road)) 1929–1930 T S Whittemore 1930–1932 J M Billings 1932–1952 D H Hartness 1952–1962 C A Gibbard
	Oak Bay Hotel 1905–1937 Mt Baker Avenue (1905–1909 city directories) 901 Newport Avenue (1910–1913 city directories) 1225 Newport Avenue (1914–1937 city directories)
	immortalized in Rudyard Kipling poem
	old postcard . Oak Bay Hotel Click on image to view enlargement
	Built in 1905, the Oak Bay Hotel was initially managed by John Virtue, former manager of the Mt Baker Hotel, which was destroyed by fire just three years earlier in 1902.
	Oak Bay Hotel was immortalized in a poem by Rudyard Kipling, written while visiting Victoria in 1907. (The same year he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.)
	In 1938 the hotel was acquired by Jane M Ewing1 and renamed Ewing Apartment Hotel. The main entrance was reorientated from 1225 Newport Avenue to 1420 Beach Drive to face Oak Bay Beach.
	A year later she renamed it The Old Charming Inn.
	The building was demolished in 1962 to make way for Oak Bay's then-most-luxurious apartment block — the Rudyard Kipling.
1 Jane M Ewing was previously proprietor of Osborne Court (1932) and, just down the street, The Small Charming Hotel (1934–1937) at 1456 Beach Drive
	see Ewing Apartment Hotel, The Old Charming Inn, Rudyard Kipling's poem
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay House 1851 — 2564 Heron Street
	home of Oak Bay's first resident, John Tod / oldest house in Canada west of the Great Lakes
	RBCM & A | A-02985 Oak Bay House Click on image to view enlargement
	see John Tod
	Profile under development
	Oak Bay Jeweler 2225 Oak Bay Avenue (1957... phone book)
Former location of W H Davies, jeweler
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Junior High School 1952–2015 2101 Cadboro Bay Road Royal BC Museum and Archives | I-01692 Oak Bay Junior High School Click on image to view enlargement
	"Oak Bay.Junior opened in 1952 and we were in the first Grade 7 class. Mr Rudyard Kipling was the Principal. We were so impressed with the new school. It had a dedicated Gym and a dedicated Auditorium." — Terry Murphy, OBHS class of 1958 * * * "Yes, a dedicated gym and a dedicated auditorium was quite special. Willows School had a large hall with a stage that served as auditorium, gymnasium and library. I remember the first book I borrowed from that library, in 1952, was He Shoots, He Scores by Foster Hewitt." — Gary Wilcox, OBHS class of 1960
	Profile under development
	Oak Bay Kiwanis Club
	The Oak Bay Kiwanis Club is a part of Kiwanis International which was founded in 1915, and brought to Canada in 1916. The Oak Bay Club was formed in February, 1947 and received its Charter the following April. There were 46 members at the time of charter.
	Today the club is called the Kiwanis Club of Oak Bay.
	Oak Bay Kiwanis Rescue Boat Rescue Boat Button Click on image to view enlargement
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Land and Improvement Co. Ltd. Profile under development
	Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club 1951 — 2190 Harlow Street
	OBLBC
	Over the years there were numerous requests for a lawn bowling facility in Oak Bay, but to no avail. An opportunity presented itself in the early 1950s with the subdivision of Willows Fairgrounds and the development of Carnarvon Park.
	The OBLBC was founded in 1951 and debentures and memberships were sold to raise development capital. A green (now the east green) was prepared and seeded in 1954 and, after three years of grooming, was ready for play in 1957.
	Today the club boasts two of the nicest greens in Canada and has produced many Provincial and National champions.
	If online, click here to visit the website of the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club
On a historical note: it's reported the clubhouse flagpole once stood before Mount Baker Hotel — over 100 years ago.
	Oak Bay Lawn Mower Sales and Service 2271 Bowker Avenue (1967–1970... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Leader 1509 Wilmot Place (1955–1965 phone books) 3930 Douglas Street (1966–1969 phone books)
	community newspaper
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Library and Book Shop 2247 Oak Bay Avenue (1930–1932... phone book) 2552 Windsor Road (...1934–1970... phone books)
The 2247 Oak Bay Avenue address would become the location of Hampshire House women's clothing.
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Lockers 2044 Oak Bay Avenue (...1949–1959... phone books) 2044 Oak Bay Ave.. . . .Phone 4-8421 .FROSTED FRUITS, FROSTED VEGETABLES, FANCY MEATS AND LOCAL POULTRY OAK BAY LOCKERS. — text from ad in 1957 OBHS OBEJAY yearbook.
Concurrent address of Island Food Distributors (...1950... phone book)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Magnet 2244 Oak Bay Avenue (1941–1955... ciry directories)
	gift shop and dressmakers
	"The best destination for anyone under the age of 12 in the 1950s. Full of fun trinkets, little toys and, I think, possibly sewing supplies. Run by two Japanese Canadian (I think) sisters. The promise of a visit to the Magnet kept any child happy while Mom did the shopping." — Erica Fowles, OBHS class of 1965
	Oak Bay Manor 2251 Cadboro Bay Road
	groomed as an international retirement destination
	old postcard . Oak Bay Manor Click on image to view enlargement
	The Old Mens' Home (Mountain View Lodge) yielded to retirement complex, Oak Bay Manor, which was subsequently repurposed into assisted living facility, Oak Bay Lodge through to 2019.1
	OAK BAY MANOR Comfortable, active retirement in a climate comparable to San Francisco and the Carolinas. Fully furnished suites with private balcony, full dining room, spacious lounges, swimming pool and sauna. — advertising on promotional postcard
	"I worked there as a nurse's aid in 1976-77. I wore a pink dress uniform with a red cross on it. There was a lovely large dining room downstairs where residents came from their private rooms to eat. Everything was grand about the entrance and the setting, with carpeting throughout and a large extravagant staircase. But upstairs was the locked ward for residents with dementia. Some of them had private rooms and all required help for personal care. I remember many WW1 veterans living there. One was simply known as "Captain". Sing along nights were fun with all the old wartime songs. The RNs would deliver medications to the residents on the first floor and we did weekly baths for some of those residents. It was my first full time job after high school and I enjoyed working there." — Norma Hutchings, nurse's aid, Oak Bay Manor (1976-77)
1 Ownership of Oak Bay Lodge was transferred to the Capital Regional Hospital District from Island Health after the Lodge closed in 2019. Discussions are currently underway for the repurposing of this property. "The hospital district, which provides the local share of capital funding for health facilities and equipment, has no plans for the site, but the land transfer includes a covenant that it must be used for the public good. The hospital district, whose board members are Capital Regional District board members, will work with Oak Bay council in developing ideas for the site." – Times Colonist, April 2016
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Marina 1327 Beach Drive
	In 1962, when it was decided to replace the old boathouse with a modern marina complex, the municipality received three proposals ranging from $60,000 to $1,000,000, the latter including a shopping centre. The contract (and an unprecedented 30-year lease) was given to Bob Wright for his $450,000 Oak Bay Marina/Restaurant concept.
	Oak Bay Marina was officially opened in April 1964 and became the homebase of Wright's extensive Oak Bay Marine Group enterprise.
	In 1969 Wright added the Sealand attraction to the marina complex when Charlie White relocated his popular Undersea Garden to Victoria's inner harbour.
	see Oak Bay Boathouse, Undersea Garden, Sealand (of the Pacific)
	Oak Bay Marine Ways 1327 Beach Drive (...1930... phone book)
	The municipality-owned Oak Bay Boathouse had many lessees before it was demolished in 1962. Oak Bay Marine Ways was one such enterprise in the early years of the Depression.
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Meat Market Oak Bay and Foul Bay (...1919... city directory)
	meat and fish dealers
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Municipal Hall (original) 2222 Oak Bay Avenue (1913 city directory) 2200 Oak Bay Avenue
	Oak Bay Archives | 2016-005-002 Original Municipal Hall 1912–1957 Click on image to view enlargement
	Profile under development
	Oak Bay Municipal Yard Monterey near McNeill (...1913... city directory) 2160 Granite Street (1920 city directory) 2065 Milton Street (...1954–1955... phone books) Oak Bay Archives Public Works Crew at Municipal Yard circa 1955 Click on image to view enlargement
	Oak Bay Nursery 2075 Goldsmith Street (...1930... phone book) 2057 Meadow Place (...1941–1957... phone books)
	M. D. Jamieson, F.R.H.S., Prop. Greenhouses on Shelbourne Street . Albion-134. Residence G arden-3588 2057 Meadow Pl . . . . . . . G arden-3552 — ad in 1949 phone book Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Park Newport Avenue, cor Saratoga Ave (1909 Vancouver Island Directory)
	see Oak Bay Ball Park
	Oak Bay Pharmacy 2248 Oak Bay Avenue (1926–1939 city directories) 2228 Oak Bay Avenue (1940–1959 phone books) 2200 Oak Bay Avenue (1960–1970... phone books)
	Royal BC Museum and Archives | I-26636 Oak Bay Pharmacy Click on image to view enlargement
	OAK BAY PHARMACY John J. Weicker Cosmetics - Prescriptions - School Supplies Phone EV. 4-2532. . . 2228 Oak Bay Ave. — ad in 1959 OBHS Oak Leaves yearbook.
	Formerly known as Pattinson's after pharmacist/owner R.C. Pattinson. Subsequently sold to John J. Weicker. (1957 phone book)
2248 address is previous location of Pattinson's, pharmacy 2248 address is subsequent location of Oak Bay Furniture Store
	Click on MEMORABILIA to view or contribute recollections, photographs and artifacts
	Oak Bay Plumbing 2280 Cadboro Bay Road (1946 city directory)
Former location of Reliable Plumbing & Heating Subsequent location of Taplin TV & Radio Service
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Produce 2194 Oak Bay Avenue (1939–1965 city directories / phone books) 2248a Oak Bay Avenue ( 1966–1970... phone books)
	.OAK BAY PRODUCE. . . .Fruit . - . Vegetables . - . Groceries. . . 2194 Oak Bay Avenue FREE DELIVERY Phone 4-2433 — text from ad in 1958 OBJHS OBEJAY yearbook.
	Click on MEMORABILIA to view or contribute recollections, photographs and artifacts
	Oak Bay Professional Dry Cleaners 2045 Oak Bay Avenue (...1962... phone book)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Radio Service 2271 Bowker Avenue (...1946–1949 phone books) Expert Repairs to all Makes and Types of Radios Automobile Radio Specialists Repairs to Small Household Appliances Garden -1217 — ad in 1947 phone book
Oak Bay Radio Service was listed in the 1950 phone book at 1407 Store Street, in town
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Realty 2056 Oak Bay Avenue (...1912–1914... city directories) 2188 Oak Bay Avenue (...1959–1970... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Recreation Grounds
	see Oak Bay Ball Park
	Oak Bay School Oak Bay Avenue, cor Hampshire Road (1909 Vancouver Island Directory)
	Miss J Cathcart, principal
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Service 2675 Windsor Road (...1959... phone book)
	see Oak Bay Garage
	Oak Bay Shoe Repair 2240 Oak Bay Avenue (1945–1970... city directories / phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Shoe Renu 2240 Oak Bay Avenue (1959 OBJHS OBEJAY yearbook) . . . .OAK BAY SHOE RENU. . . . 2240 Oak Bay Avenue .Polishes and Laces. .Repairs to all Makes of. Shoes, Belts, Purses .Bring Your Shoes In Anytime. — text from ad in 1959 OBJHS OBEJAY yearbook
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Streetcar 1891–1948
	built in 1891 to help realty consortium sell land
	Ernie L Plant photo Oak Bay Streetcar Click on image to view enlargement
	Oak Bay was one of three streetcar lines to service Oak Bay in the early years. The other two lines were Willows and Uplands. see Wards
	The Oak Bay line started on July 1, 1891 as a shuttle service between the city's Fort Street line and Oak Bay Beach, and served the community until May 16, 1948.
	Click on MEMORABILIA to view or contribute recollections, photographs and artifacts
	Oak Bay Tabernacle 1790 Hampshire Road (1948–1955 city directories)
	Hampshire Road Methodist Church renamed Oak Bay Tabernacle when purchased by Glad Times Tabernacle in 1948
Over the years the hall was used by various sport groups and other organizations before it was demolished in 1967 to make way for a medical/dental clinic. Neighbourhood protests stopped the building of the clinic and a house was subsequently moved onto the property.
	see Hampshire Road Methodist Church
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Tailor 2225 Oak Bay Avenue (...1941–1942... phone books) 2225a Oak Bay Avenue (...1944–1954... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Taxi 1795 Foul Bay Road (1926–1930 city directories) 2246 Oak Bay Avenue (1944–1950 phone books) 1774 Fort Street (1950... phone book)
	Oak Bay Taxi was started by W.E. Ferriday in 1926 and operated from his home at 1795 Foul Bay Road until 1931 when it became Oak Bay Taxi & Transfer for one year.
In 1932, the company relocated to 2013 Oak Bay Avenue and became Oak Bay 25c Taxi, and then Oak Bay 10c Taxi in the mid-Depression years. In 1942, Ferriday retired and sold his taxi and transfer companies to J.H. Bisson. Oak Bay Taxi became Oak Bay Avenue 25c Taxi in 1942 and Oak Bay 25c Taxi in 1943, the last year at the 2013 Oak Bay Avenue address. In 1944, it was once again called Oak Bay Taxi at the new address, 2246 Oak Bay Avenue, where Bisson built his franchise. In 1950, Oak Bay Taxi relocated to 1774 Fort Street, as did Willows Taxi and Oak Bay Transfer & Baggage.
	see W.E. Ferriday
	Oak Bay Tea Rooms 1179 Newport Avenue (1914–1917 city directories)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Television Service 2012 Oak Bay Avenue (...1964–1966 phone books)
Previous location of Davenport Pharmacy
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Tennis Club 2506 Bowker Avenue
	originally a private club for employees of the BC Electric and Railway Company
	.Oak Bay Tennis Club
	Established in 1911 as the BC Electric and Railroad Tennis Club (BCERTC), the club was originally created for the employees of the BC Electric and Railway Company (BCER) playing on courts at Oak Bay Park (Windsor Park). Oak Bay Park was owned by the BCER until 1921, when it was sold to the municipality.
	In 1912 and 1913 the BCER purchased two abutting lots on Bowker and Cavendish Avenues to serve as a possible terminus for the Uplands streetcar line built in 1913. These two lots were never so-used.
	These two lots sat vacant until 1923 when the BCERTC relocated from Windsor Park (now owned by the municipalty) to the Bowker Avenue site where the BCERTC built a clubhouse and two courts. A third lot was purchased in 1938.
	In 1960 the club became self-supporting and leased the Bowker Avenue facilities from the BCER.
	A year later, in 1961, the BCER (soon to be called BC Hydro) offered to sell the property to the Club for $9,000.
	At first this amount seemed unattainable, but the Club set itself to the task, starting with a name change — the Oak Bay Tennis Club. Finally, after a series of unsuccessful counteroffers and the selling of debentures, the $9,000 was raised and the sale finalized on December 31, 1964.
	The original clubhouse, built in 1923, was replaced in 1984 with a fully equipped, architect-designed facility.
	Click here to visit the website of the Oak Bay Tennis Club
	Oak Bay Theatre 1936–1986 2184 Oak Bay Avenue
	"Temple of Refined Entertainment and Education"
	RBCM & A | I-01574 . Oak Bay Theatre . 1947 Click on image to view enlargement
	The Oak Bay Theatre opened in 1936 to become the second motion picture theatre built in the municipality. The first, the Avenue Theatre, opened in 1913 but closed its doors in 1921.
	For decades the Oak Bay Theatre was an integral part of community life. It was even used by the schools to show curricula-related films.
	Advertised as a "temple of refined entertainment and education," its regular programing focused on British films rather than American. No Three Stooges here.
	In 1986, after fifty years of entertaining and educating, the Oak Bay Theatre was gutted and converted to office/retail space.
	The "Oak Bay Theatre" sign remains standing as a poignant reminder of Oak Bay's early years.
	Click on MEMORABILIA to view or contribute recollections, photographs and artifacts
	Oak Bay Transfer 1795 Foul Bay Road (...1917–1930... phone books) 2013 Oak Bay Avenue (...1934... phone book)
	old telephone book image Oak Bay Transfer
	see W E Ferriday
	Oak Bay Transfer & Baggage 2246 Oak Bay Avenue (1947–1950 phone books)
In 1950, Oak Bay Transfer & Baggage relocated to 1774 Fort Street, as did Oak Bay Taxi and Willows Taxi.
	see W E Ferriday
	Oak Bay Transfer & Storage 1795 Foul Bay Road (1931 city directory) 2013 Oak Bay Avenue (1932–1936...city directories)
	W.E Ferriday expanded his taxi and transfer enterprises to include storage when he moved into the recently-gutted Avenue Theatre space at 2013 Oak Bay Avenue. Now with warehousing facilities, Ferriday operated from this address from 1932 until 1943, when the building was converted to a 10-suite apartment block.
In 1944, now without warehousing facilities, Ferriday moved his taxi/transfer operations to 2246 Oak Bay Avenue where he ran Oak Bay Taxi, Willows Taxi, and Oak Bay Baggage & Transfer until 1950, afterwhich time he relocated these three companies to 1774 Fort street in the city.
	Coincidentally, starting in 1947, Ferriday established several new taxi and transfer companies at 2019 Oak Bay Avenue, the vacant lot next door to the old 2013 address.
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay U-Drive 2019 Oak Bay Avenue (1950–1952 phone books)
	— ad in 1952 phone book Click on image to view enlargement
	see W E Ferriday
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay United Church 1355 Mitchell Street
	Oak Bay Methodists and Presbyterians amalgamated to form the Oak Bay United Church in 1926
	Oak Bay United Church
	The Oak Bay United Church was built in 1914 and originally served as St Columba Presbyterian Church. In 1925 Presbyterians and Methodists amalgamated nationally to form the United Church of Canada, and this building subsequently served as St Columba United Church.
	Observing the amalgamation, the Hampshire Road Methodist Church was renamed Hampshire Road United Church.
	A year later, in 1926, these two Oak Bay congregations merged under one pastoral charge, worshipping together at the newly-named Oak Bay United Church.
	The cornerstone for this building was laid on June 13, 1914 by architect William Henderson
	Oak Bay Upholstery 2271 Bowker Avenue (1951–1953 phone books)
	— ad in 1953 phone book. Click on image to view enlargement
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay War Memorial unveiled November 11, 1948 to honour Oak Bay's fallen in World War II
	Gary Wilcox photo Oak Bay War Memorial Profile under development
	Oak Bay Window Cleaners 2034 Marrion Street (...1947... phone book)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Bay Wool Shoppe 2004 Oak Bay Avenue (1945–1955 city directories / phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Clock Shop 2223 Oak Bay Avenue (...1941–1942... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oak Farm Cadboro Bay Road
	pioneer dairyman Alexis Casanave's 10-acre farm — which became the playing fields of Oak Bay High School.
	Oak Bay Archives 1883 Oak Farm Invoice Click on image to view enlargement
	see Alexis Casanave
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	"Off Beat" teen newspaper 1967
	an unlikely Oak Bay legacy from the "Summer of Love"
	Off Beat
	Off Beat was published during the Summer of Love (1967). Its first issue predates the regional Georgia Straight and the international Rolling Stone, making it one of the first teen music/lifestyle newspapers in America and, who knows, perhaps the world. That's quite a distinction, especially considering it was published from a basement studio in Oak Bay — hardly the epicentre of pop culture.
	Click on MEMORABILIA to see sample pages and photos from Off Beat and the Summer of Love
	O K Dry Goods 2207 Oak Bay Avenue (1918–1921... city directories)
O K Dry Goods was the first business at this address Subsequent location of Mrs Emmie Randall dry goods
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Old Charming Inn, The 1939–1962 1420 Beach Drive (1939–1962 city directories / phone books)
	new name for the Oak Bay Hotel
	Built in 1905 and oiginally called Oak Bay Hotel. Purchased by Jane M Ewing in 1938 and named Ewing Apartment Hotel. A year later, in 1939, she renamed it The Old Charming Inn. Demolished in 1962 to make way for the Rudyard Kipling apartment block.
	"Here is a link to an 8mm movie of the destruction of the Old Charming Inn that my Dad took circa 1962 and that I posted to Youtube. The hotel was at the corner of Windsor and Beach Drive where the Rudyard Kipling apartments now stand.  My father managed to get one of the fireplace frontispieces (mantels?) before the place was pulled down, and that was in our basement at 855 Hampshire Road until 2001 when my sister and I sold that house." If online, click here to view demolition of The Old Charming Inn — Greg Windwick
	* * *
	"I remember the Old Charming Inn! Very fond memories spent there as a child." — Brenda A.
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	see Ewing Apartment Hotel, Oak Bay Hotel
	Old English Beverage Company 2280-2284-2288 Cadboro Bay Road (1926 city directory)
Subsequent location of Northern Films
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Old Men's Home (Mountain View Lodge) 2251 Cadboro Bay Road
	RBCM & A | G-03350 Old Men's Home Click on image to view enlargement
Called Aged Men's Home in 1950 phone book
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Oliver, William Edgar 1867–1920
	first reeve of Oak Bay (1906–8, 1912, 1913–14)
	William Oliver
	see Oliver's estate, Bongate
	Biographical material welcomed
	Olympia Garage 2589 Cadboro Bay Road (1914...1926 city directories)
	Located on the south-east corner of Cadboro Bay Road and Estevan Avenue, which was originally called Olympia Avenue
Subsequent location of Uplands Garage & Motor Company in 1927, which expanded to across the street at 2590 Cadboro Bay Road in 1930. Building continued to serve as an adjunct to Uplands Garage, and was demolished in 1977 to make way for the Food Forum
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Our Lady of Lourdes 1912–1960
	first Catholic church in Oak Bay
	Oak Bay Archives Our Lady of Lourdes Click on image to view enlargement
	Our Lady of Lourdes, the first Catholic church in Oak Bay, was built in 1912 on what was then called Third Street (Haultain). It served the community until 1960 when St. Patrick's Parish was built on the same property, after which time the Our Lady of Lourdes structure became the private chapel of the Poor Clare Sisters.
	see St Patrick's Parish

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