From the Comox Valley Heritage Experience signage located on the promenade.
Once known as Port Augusta, the protected waters of Comox Harbour played an important role in the maritime history of British Columbia. Used by the Royal Navy in the mid-1800s, the worth of this deep-water bay and protective sandy spit proved invaluable.
When James Robb arrived in 1862, he saw potential for a future shipping site on this location, and pre-empted the land with the vision of building a wharf. He hoped to sell the town lots and secure his family's fortune, but the land was heavily timbered, and required years of backbreaking labour to clear the slope.
In 1874, the wharf was constructed for $3,337 and consisted of a pier 1035 feet long and 12 feet wide. The wharf, which became known as the "The Landing, allowed the transfer of goods and people to shore without the cumbersome need for smaller boats. Joseph Rodello purchased townsite lots on either side of the wharf to build a store, and in 1877, the Elk Hotel. The wharf then quickly became the centre of the community and the Town of Comox began to grow.
Through the late 1800s and 1900s, a number of famous vessels visited the Comox Marina, such as The Beaver, The Cariboo & Fly, and the Grappler. These ships brought household goods, medical supplies, mail and livestock to the early European settlers of the Comox Valley. With no practical road connecting Comox to the southern communities until 1910, Comox Habour provided the only link to larger centres like Victoria and Nanaimo.
