Irvine’s Landing
Irvine's Landing is, by water, at the the entrance to Pender Harbour. It has a relatively small population, but several modern, sprawling subdivisions are expected to make “the Landing” Pender Harbour’s largest residential area by 2014. The Area A (Pender Harbour-Egmont) Regional Director, Eric Graham, is a resident.
A handful of home-based businesses operate from the area, including that of bookseller John King. The only public, commercial enterprise, Irvine’s Landing Marine Pub, closed several years ago due to a long and difficult dispute between owners.
Attractions
- Irvine’s Landing Historical School. See below.
- Pender Hill Park. Learn more>>
- The views.
History
In 1880, a bearded, pipe-smoking Englishman named Charlie Irvine bought a 160-acre of waterfront property from an Oriental cannery operator who, according to local legend, mined for gold in a secret location. Irvine built a wharf, log cabin and supply post to serve the local loggers, and he became the postmaster in 1903. He sold the property to John and George West in 1904, then headed to the Klondike to seek his fortune in gold. Also see Pioneers> Charlie Irvine.
Irvine's Landing boasted the first post office, saloon, telephone and financial institution of the area, built by "Portuguese Joe" Gonsalves. The post office remained in Irvine’s Landing until 1966 when it was replaced by the present one in Madeira Park. The old Irvine's Landing Community Hall and School (on property donated by Joe Gonsalves) remain. Also see Pioneers> Portuguese Joe.
Irvine’s Landing School
In 2007, the SCRD entered a 20-year lease with School District 46 for the old Irvine’s Landing School property, just under one acre. Administered by the SCRD Parks Department and managed by the Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society, the property and building will be made available to Garden Bay and Irvine’s Landing community groups.
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