This original history was compiled by former Eaglecrest resident and Eaglecrest Residents Association (ERA) director Caroline Ion. It was published in detail in the association's newsletter, The Eagle Eye, in six installments from September, 1996 to December 1997. It has been condensed and updated, but the essence of Eaglecrest history has been maintained. This updated version was published in the Sept. 2006 edition of the Eagle Eye.
Marlys Diamond, President
Eaglecrest Residents Association
General and Mrs. A.D. McRae (Alex and Blanche) of Vancouver were enamoured by the natural beauty of this area. They wished to build a summer residence here if suitable property could be found. As house guests of George and Ruth Martin, one weekend in the early ‘30s they scouted out property that might be for sale further down the beach from the Martin’s Judges’ Row summer home.
The parcel put together in 1931 was 260 acres. Later, the General purchased additional land, which became known as Turner Meadows, Arrowsmith Farm, and the Hamilton Bog. The Glengarry Golf Course, now known as Pheasant Glen Golf Course, was later developed on part of this land.
During a later visit by the McRaes to the Martin summer home, son Hugh Martin persuaded Mrs. McRae to interview Charlie Van Norman, a young 23-year-old architect. An appointment was set up at Hycroft, the Shaughnessy Heights mansion home of the McRaes. (Hycroft is now owned by the University Women’s Club of Vancouver.)
Mrs. McRae was the daughter of a Northern Railway tycoon from Minnesota and familiar with large log structures built in the Glacier and Waterton Lake National Parks and at Jasper, Alberta. She wanted a home similar to the character of these buildings. After a visit to Jasper, young Van Norman designed a house with a 25’ x 20’ living room and a 18’ x 12’ dining room. He was told that what was wanted was a large rustic log house with a living room at least 50’ x 36’; a dining room 40’ x 25’ and the rest in proportion. Van Norman designed “Eaglecrest Lodge”, familiar to many through photographs. It was 200 feet long and 60 feet wide. Mrs. McRae was pleased.
The contractor for this project was Alex Fraser who had built the Qualicum Beach Hotel, the Sunset Inn (now the Qualicum Beach Resort Hotel) and many notable homes in the area, including what was to become the Milner home at Milner Gardens & Woodland.
The building of farm workers’ houses was concurrent with the building of the main lodge, guest houses, staff quarters and farm buildings. The building currently used for the maintenance of the golf course was one of the major poultry houses. The Eaglecrest Clubhouse was built as a barn and housed 50 head of cattle. An orchard was established and a sprinkler system installed. There were bridle paths, croquet lawns, tennis courts and putting greens included in this jewel of an estate that had Eaglecrest Lodge as its centerpiece.
During shopping trips to England and the Continent furnishings were acquired such as custom-made rugs from Donegal, Ireland, and upholstery woven in the McRae tartan to cover the furniture. A special niche in one of the massive native stone fireplaces housed a suit of armour. The Eaglecrest Estate represented an investment of over $900,000.
Eaglecrest Lodge was ready for occupancy in 1936. In the middle of the Great Depression, the work project was a boon for the area. Many of the future leading citizens of Qualicum Beach served apprenticeships under Alex Fraser. Don Beaton served as Mayor of the village from 1959 to 1966, and Chester Good later served as a councillor for 12 years. Workmen were paid 20 to 25 cents an hour in those days.
As one of the most elegant residences of the area, many distinguished guests were entertained there.
Mrs. McRae died in 1942 and the General died in 1946. Following his death, his holdings were offered for sale, completely furnished and equipped for $225,000. Eaglecrest Estates was purchased “as is” at the reserve bid of $75,000 by Leonard Boultbee and Fred Sweet, lifelong friends and partners of Boultbee Sweet & Co. Ltd. Vancouver, who already owned hotels in both Qualicum Beach and Vancouver. The farms were purchased by H.R. McMillan.
The Boultbee years at Eaglecrest covered almost three decades and were filled with change. The elegant summer home of General and Mrs. A.D. McRae became an exclusive hotel that welcomed many famous guests. The most famous guests were Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, during their 1951 visit to Canada when she was Princess.
The senior Boultbee’s son, John said “Eaglecrest never operated as a regular hotel, open to the general public . . . if prospective guests did not meet certain criteria they were simply informed that there were no vacancies.”
A golf course was built. The original Lodge was destroyed by fire on March 17, 1970. Unable to duplicate the original log construction it was rebuilt using Fab-a-log, which was made by a Vancouver firm. On July 10, 1981 that building also burned down.
Gradually, in phased development beginning in 1965 the residential development of Eaglecrest began to take shape. Phase I involved the water side of Eaglecrest Drive and Seacrest Place, where the upper lots sold for around $12,000 and the beach lots went for $9,000. Phase II included the south side of Eaglecrest Drive to Highway 19 and three cul-de-sacs, Mallard, Widgeon and Pekin.
By the time Phase III, Harlequin/Wood Duck was planned, water problems in Eaglecrest were becoming serious and some residents were experiencing difficulties with their septic tanks. This resulted in larger lots being required before subdivision approval was given. The 28 lots in the third phase were enlarged to approximately one-half acre in size. The water problem was alleviated by the location of a well on the property at the intersection of Clubhouse Drive and Yambury, now known as Yambury Park.
In 1975 Boultbee sold his Eaglecrest holdings to Cumberland Realty Co. with the exception of the Lodge and surrounding acreage. In the mid-60s Boultbee had purchased an additional 75 acres lying between Pintail and Highway 19 (now Highway 19A) and Eaglecrest Drive and Yambury. This was also included in the sale, and further plans of a three-phase subdivision were embarked upon including the redesign of the golf course—a 9-hole executive course with two sets of tees, to provide 18-holes of play if desired.
Eaglecrest land lay within the jurisdiction of the Regional District of Nanaimo. Restrictive Covenants instigated by Leonard Boultbee were applied and included design approval, no tree cutting without written consent, parking of RVs only at the side of the property, no occupancy of an RV unit as guest accommodation and many more. This caveat lapsed on Dec. 31, 1988, and while its renewal was not pursued, the expired covenant is the reason Eaglecrest is the attractive well-serviced, well-treed area it is today.
The continuing need for a dependable, good quality supply of water was instrumental in Eaglecrest being incorporated into the Town of Qualicum Beach on March 1, 1991.
Development continued with the Highlands (Phase III), Oceanside, and an 18-hole golf course. Oceanside was developed by First National Properties, a Jim Pattison Group, and consisted of 140 properties. The first show home opened on Oceanside Drive late in 1991.
In February, 1987, the 9-hole golf course was purchased by the Riva Family. The land east of Yambury, which provided for the extension of the course was leased, and later purchased, from First National Properties in 1990. The 18-hole course was opened for play in June, 1991.
Adding to the sense of community for Eaglecrest residents was the formation of the Eaglecrest Garden Club in January, 1983. (Originally a community garden club, membership was eventually expanded to include people from outside the area.)
September, 1993 saw the Eaglecrest Clubhouse packed by residents for an information meeting in response to rumblings that the former lodge property might become a destination resort. It was resolved that representation in opposition to such a proposal would be made at the next meeting of town council. The meeting was effective and the proposal dropped, however the event resulted in the formation of the Eaglecrest Residents’ Association.
“The Bluffs”, on the former site of Eaglecrest Lodge and orchard, is currently underway on Eaglecrest Drive and is the last major development for the area.
