Learn about the Old General Store, a historic Bowen Island building that now houses the Bowen Island Public Library, and which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2024.
The Bowen Island Museum and Archives is another source for information on this building.
Slideshow
Articles
Learn more from these Bowen Island Undercurrent submissions (external links):
- The Bowen Library’s busy past by Helen Wallwork / Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association
- Youth Curators explore layers of Old General Store history! by Sarah Haxby / Bowen Island Community School
Timeline
History of Use of the Old General Store:
- 1924 — Construction of Union Steamship Company (USSC) General Store
- 1930-40 — Groceries, supplies, gas, post office and social centre
- 1956-1966 — Lloyd Walters rents space from USSC and takes over General Store business
- 1962 — USSC land and buildings subdivided and sold
- 1966 — Tom McKinnon buys General Store business
- 1973-1975 — Keith and Linda Stansfield with Lawrie and Linda Lock buy General Store business
- 1975 — General Store business moves to new location
- 1976-1978 — Building is mostly empty and falling into disrepair. Plans to widen the road have the building slated for demolition in 1978
- 1978-1984 — Bowen Island Park and Store Use Society (BIPASUS) forms to save the building
- 1978-1983 — “Fleam” – Flea Market raises funds to save the building
- 1983 — GVRD purchases remaining USSC lands and the building and moves the building 50 ft back from road
- 1983-1984 — Building stripped down to studs and restored
- 1984 — Old General Store re-opens in current location
- 1985 — Post Office occupies west end of building
- 1987 — Library occupies 400 sf at the east end of the building
- 1985-2001 — Main space used as unofficial community hall
- 1990’s — Haunted House, Family Place, Theatre Productions, Heritage Days, BI Arts Festival, Cinema, Tai Chi, and many other events happen in the OGS space….
- 1991 — Library moves to Cates Corner
- 1993 — Post Office moves to Cates Corner
- Late 1990’s — Building is mostly empty due to unaffordable rent increases
- 2002 — Library returns and rents the whole main floor from GVRD
- 2005 — BIM purchases the building and surplus lands
- 2018 — Library and Arts Council build an addition to the back of the OGS and Gallery opens
- August 10, 2024 — Community celebration of 100th birthday of the building!
The 100th Anniversary Celebration
- Here’s to another 100 Years! Old General Store celebrates a Century by Tina Nielsen / Bowen Island Library. Article submission to Bowen Island Undercurrent
Photo by John Dowler
Video by Phil Gregory & Jackie Bradley