The Lindsay-Dickson Farm

History of the Property and Home

European settlement began on adjacent Hornby Island and in the Comox Valley in
the 1860's but it was not until 1874 that the first British settlers
homesteaded on Denman. Their farm was in the Madigan area on the west side of
the island immediately across from what is now the Lindsay-Dickson Nature
Reserve. In 1878 John Graham and his family (from New Brunswick) took up land
on what became the Lindsay-Dickson property. They made their living by farming
and logging. A small orchard was established and for a while the family ran
a small dairy farm. Most of their land was left untouched.

The property was then purchased around the turn of the century by Dr.
Frederick Lindsay-Dickson. Dr. Lindsay-Dickson and his wife had visited the
island while on holiday from England and he took a fancy to the John Graham
place. He was a keen sportsman and was particularly interested in Graham Lake,
which bordered the property. He built a new house (now the Lindsay-Dickson
Farm) and, lived there in retirement for a number of, years before turning the
farm over to his son Gerald and returning to -England. .Gerald Lindsay-Dickson
married a Denman girl, Laura Keenan, and they lived on the farm while their
family of three sons and two girls were growing up. Later they moved. to.
Victoria and had hired help to run the farm on Denman. Later Mr. and Mrs.
Gerald Lindsay-Dickson and their son Clive returned and farmed in a small way.
Clive continued to live in the old home. Approximately three years ago the
property was purchased and then later sold in. two parcels; a 52. hectare.
section was. purchased by the government and became the Lindsay-Dickson Nature
Reserve and the 10 acres remaining is now the "Lindsay-Dickson Farm" described
below.

Description of Land and Home

The Lindsay-Dickson farm is approximately 10 acres with forest, creek, fields,
orchard and Arts & Crafts style home built around 1920. The property is
surrounded by the Lindsay-Dickson Nature Reserve (approximately 52 hectares)
on- two sides. Water frontage (Lambert Channel) forms the third boundary. The
fourth side is bordered by an organic apple orchard and bank of trees on a
large neighbouring property.

The property is part of a forest that is a surviving fragment of one-of the 
smallest ecosystems in Canada - the Coastal Douglas Fir Forest and undoubtedly
contains some genetic diversity that exists nowhere else.

The road leading to the property is typical of an island country road, 
flanked by farms, ocean and towering forest. A winding driveway follows along
a large fern banked creek with moss covered outcroppings and foot bridge
ending in a circular parking area. The "mansion' of the island is a 1920 Arts
& Crafts style, two level home designated as a "Heritage" building (no
restrictions apply to this designation). Views from the home are of ocean,
Hornby Island, and mountains. The land is comprised of forest, fields,
orchard-and-garden The interior of this home has been tastefully and
completely restored by award winning designers with all modem conveniences
gracefully hidden. All floors in the home are old growth clear fir. Front
entrance hall, stair case, living room and dining room are old growth clear
fir wainscotting two-thirds of the way up, topped off with a plate rail.
Picture hanging rails are also. in place in the living and dining rooms. The
lighting fixtures are exquisite.

Main Level:

The front door is original; it has a built-in wind up door bell, hand made cut
glass window and two raised carvings. Spanning the width of the front of the
house is a porch supported by three large pillars with a very old Wisteria
growing to one side. There is a side deck with French door opening off of the
dining room as well. 

A formal entrance has mullioned windows and staircase to the upstairs. The
living room has sliding pocket doors with a brass curtain rail between It and
the dining room. The library is located off of the dining area. One wall of
the library is a bay window, the ceiling, walls and floor are completely
surfaced in old growth clear fir. Also oft of the dining area is an office /
bedroom.

The kitchen has been completely restored and enlarged to accommodate a new
upright freezer and top of the line stacking washer & dryer which are all
gracefully hidden and easily accessible. 1950's stove, fridge and vintage sink
with built-in drain boards complete this classic kitchen. There is a walk-in
pantry complete with plate rails, veggie bins, cupboard, draws, and French
door to future sun room, old brick patio, etc.

Also on the main floor is a three piece bathroom with the original claw foot
tub and a very large antique stained glass window.

Upper Level:

Three bedrooms with mullioned windows, one four piece bathroom, massive
walk-in closets (even in bathroom), fir floors and stairs case with two
landings and balcony.

Some furnishings available for purchase outside of selling price.	

Addition notes on the property:

- the forest consists mainly of Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Western Red cedar,
Western Hemlock, Big leaf maples, Holly, salal, Oregon Grape, Goldbacked
fern, Sword fern, Red Huckleberry, English Ivy, Foam flower, moss etc.

- trees in the orchard and around the home are; apple, plum, crabapple,
cherry, peach, Hawthorne, lilac etc.

- wild life on property; eagles, hawks, woodpeckers, Harlequin ducks, Great
blue herons, American widgeons, Belted Kingfishers, Mallard ducks, Band-tailed
pigeon, Double-crested cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, over otter, Harbour
seals, Stellar sea Irons, raccoons, muskrat, frogs, deer, etc.

Important note:

Today "ecotourism" is at the leading edge of travel. With this property
literally cradled within a nature reserve combined with ocean access it is
ideal for an ecotourist based business. Ocean kayaking, diving, fabulous
sandstone formations, bird watching, wildlife, hiking - it's paradise for ecotourism.
- house would easily be the most luxurious B & B on the island and the
surrounding area.
- Denman Island’s micro-climate is like the Mediterranean - ideal for
growing olives trees, veggie and flower gardens - fantastic soil
- fishing, oysters for the picking. . .
- very artsy and craft oriented community
- plenty of room for artist's studio and/or home office or family/visitors 
- Jacques Coustea rated the coast as the second best cold water diving destination 
in the world.

Notes on the Island:

- the village has two grocery stores, liquor store, post office, gas pump,
cafe, video rental, library, museum, book store with art supplies etc,
hardware store, school, two churches,
- doctor's office is just around the corner
- a dentist and veterinary visits the island regularly
- numerous arts and crafts groups and community gatherings
- annual Garden Tour and Blackberry Festival
- ideal community to raise a family, work from home or retire to
- close to skiing
- renowned for diving, wildlife viewing, boating, fishing, ecology
- the ferry to Buckly Bay leaves every hour (10 minute ferry ride)

Notes on surrounding area:

- Courtney (has all amenities; shopping, theatre, etc.) is a fifteen minute
drive from Union Bay (a beautiful ocean side drive with hardly any traffic)
- airport is located in Comox - a twenty -five minute drive from Buckly Bay
- Victoria is approximately a two hour drive with low traffic 
- Nanaimo is approximately a forty minute drive with low traffic
- the ferry to Vancouver from Nanaimo is approximately two hours to relax.