Community Heritage Register

Settlers' Cairn

Courtenay, British Columbia

Courtenay Settlers' Cairn

Courtenay Settlers' Cairn

Photo: City of Courtenay, 2009

Built
1956
Recognized
2009
By
Local government

The register’s text, word for word

Description

The Settlers' Cairn is a stone monument featuring two plaques which commemorate the landing place of the Comox Valley’s first pioneers. This historic place is located along Headquarters Road, at a bend adjacent to the Tsolum River.

Heritage value

The heritage value of the Settlers' Cairn lies in its association with the landing of Courtenay’s first non-aboriginal settlers, who arrived and subsequently pre-empted land in the area in August 1862.

The heritage value of the Settlers' Cairn also resides in its association with the first pioneers who landed at this historic place, including Reginald Pidcock, Reginald Carwithen, Harry Blaksley and John Bailey, who would ultimately pave the way for the social development of Courtenay and surrounding area.

Erected in 1956, the Settlers' Cairn symbolizes an early community effort to recognize and honor its heritage.

SourceCity of Courtenay Planning Department

Character‑defining elements

Key elements which define the heritage character of Settlers' Cairn include:

  • the situation of the cairn on the original landing place of Courtenay and the surrounding area's first non-aboriginal pioneers
  • the stone cairn itself

End of the register’s text

Location

Headquarters Road, Courtenay, British Columbia, V9N, Canada

49.70159° N, 124.99292° W

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Nearby

All 22 places in Courtenay

Similar places

Places whose register descriptions are closest to this one.

From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.