Elida Peers

Seventy-five years ago this was the view from the schoolyard of Sooke School. The massive barn which once housed oxen is in line with the Mariners Village development of today.

SOOKE HISTORY: View from Sooke School: 1940

Seventy-five years ago this was the view from Sooke School looking out to the water and towards Woodward Point.

Seventy-five years ago this was the view from the schoolyard of Sooke School. The massive barn which once housed oxen is in line with the Mariners Village development of today.
The first Sooke home of Olive and Peter Wadams: Moss Cottage along Church Road.

SOOKE HISTORY: Naming of Wadams Way

Olive and Peter Wadams arrived in Canada in 1929 and became significant Sooke pioneers

The first Sooke home of Olive and Peter Wadams: Moss Cottage along Church Road.
Clifford Patrick Welsh

Pioneer family’s grandson passes

Clifford Patrick Welsh was born into Irish pioneer family in Sooke

Clifford Patrick Welsh
The accompanying photo, taken in Calgary in 1950 just before Merle Barwis moved to Sooke, shows she still had the vivacious good looks that attracted the cowboy who fell in love with her.

Sooke’s oldest Canadian

Merle Barwis lived to the grand old age of 113, much of it spent in Sooke

The accompanying photo, taken in Calgary in 1950 just before Merle Barwis moved to Sooke, shows she still had the vivacious good looks that attracted the cowboy who fell in love with her.
Sooke historian Elida Peers holds one of Taylor’s watercolours donated to the Sooke Region Museum by the Sooke branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Taylor watercolours to grace museum

Blessed as Sooke has been with generations of gifted artists, perhaps none has been more prolific than Captain P W deP Taylor.

Sooke historian Elida Peers holds one of Taylor’s watercolours donated to the Sooke Region Museum by the Sooke branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Mary Vine, pioneer midwife.

Mary Vine Creek named for frontier midwife

Historian Elida Peers writes about the history of the Sooke area.

Mary Vine, pioneer midwife.

“Bunny” Planes laid to rest next to her husband

Long time Sooke resident passes close to 90th birthday

Norma Stolth Lajeunesse had her roots in Sooke and Jordan River and her foot on many a gas pedal.

Long-time Sooke resident passes

Historian writes about Norma Stolth Lajeunesse 1926 to 2012

Norma Stolth Lajeunesse had her roots in Sooke and Jordan River and her foot on many a gas pedal.
It was 1900 and folks went on a picnic by native canoe.

The naming of DeMamiel Stream

Historian Elida Peers provides a glimpse into Sooke's past

It was 1900 and folks went on a picnic by native canoe.
The Margison House has been in Sooke for 100 years.

Margison House: 100 years old

The historical Margison House celebrates centennial

The Margison House has been in Sooke for 100 years.
Damage was evident on buildings on Vancouver Island after 1946 earthquake.

What was that? An earthquake?

Sooke's historian Elida Peers and other locals remember the 1946 eartghquake

Damage was evident on buildings on Vancouver Island after 1946 earthquake.
A tale of a pig and a panel

The pig and the panel truck

Elida Peers tells the story of a fortunate pig and a not so fortunate truck driver

A tale of a pig and a panel
Bertram Mugford

History: Bert Mugford and the bell

Elida Peers, historian for the Sooke Region Museum, writes about the town's past

Bertram Mugford
Grant Road in 1942.

Grant Road was a whole different place in 1942

Sooke historian Elida Peers brings Sooke's history into focus

Grant Road in 1942.
Ann Miller Muir's gravestone.

Cemetery has long history

A short history of the cemetery at Millennium Park

Ann Miller Muir's gravestone.
John Acreman

Obit: John Acreman

"Man's man" John Acreman passes at age of 72, celebration of life announced

John Acreman
Moss Cottage before it was moved to the Sooke Region Museum site.

Moss Cottage moved from original site

Moss Cottage was a home to many families over the years

Moss Cottage before it was moved to the Sooke Region Museum site.
Driving the piles home.

Driving the pilings home

Another snap shot of Sooke's past written by local historian

Driving the piles home.
Jordan River was a lot busier in the 1920s than it is now.

Jordan River in a 1920s winter

Elida Peers shares some of Jordan River's history with Sooke News Mirror readers

Jordan River was a lot busier in the 1920s than it is now.
Frank Planes 1923-2011

The legendary Frank Planes, 1923-2011

Frank Planes was the first born son of a T'Sou-ke princess.

Frank Planes 1923-2011