1904-1920 - The Cabin Club

The Malahat

The Clay History 1904 – 1920

1904 to 1920’s The first Cabin.

It all Started with The Clay Family

“MAHEMAKAJA” was the name given to the family summer cabin at Shawnigan Lake, which was derived from the first two initials of the Clay children’s names
Margaret, Helen, Mary, Kathleen and Jack.

Reverend W Leslie Clay,
BA MA DD
Born at Bedeque, P.E.I, Nov. 12, 1863 – D. Feb 2nd 1928.

Father

Following graduation from from McGill in 1887 winning the Prince of Wales gold medal in Mental and Moral Philosophy.
Reverend Leslie Clay’s first charge was at Morris Manitoba and later at St Andrew’s Church in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.
In 1894, he was called to St Andrew’s in Victoria and remained there for nearly thirty-four years. In 1913, his Alma mater awarded him an honorary Doctorate and in 1927 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Florence Nightingale (Leitch) Clay Married on July 2nd 1890 in P.E.I. (born September 22nd 1863 – D. June 17th 1945).

Mother

The Clays had two sons and four daughters.
They purchased the 6.5 acre Shawnigan Lake property around 1904. The reason behind the purchase was because their eldest Daughter Margaret Clay was suffering from TB and the doctors suggested the mountain air would be good for her health. In 1904 there was only a gravel road where the Malahat Island highway is today and Mt Baldy beside the lake was the closest and highest mountain around. It must have really worked because Margaret lived to the ripe old age of 91!

For over 43 years from 1904 to 1947 , the Clay family, friends, and relatives cherished their summers at their first cabin on Shawnigan Lake. In the early days, they would travel to the village by train and row to their property before a road was built to provide easier access.

The construction of the Malahat Drive portion of the Trans-Canada Highway in 1911 significantly improved access to Shawnigan Lake. However, until well into the 1930s, the train remained the primary mode of transportation for most people, as automobile ownership was uncommon. By 1958, upgrades to the Malahat Drive reduced travel time to the lake, coinciding with the widespread ownership of cars. This led to a surge in summer homes being built around the lake during the late 1950s and 1960s.

The Clays, like many others, were drawn to the tranquil charm of the Shawnigan Lake community and its proximity to Victoria. Many large properties on the lake have been passed down through multiple generations, with some remaining in the same families for over a century.

The construction of Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road in 1903 further enhanced travel opportunities to and from the area, contributing to its growing appeal.

The Clay Children

Margaret clay — Peggy Reading to Grand Niece Debbie Ellis

Margaret (Peggy) Jean Clay – Born September 30, 1891 – D. April 1982, Margaret was the chief librarian in charge of the Victoria Public Library for 28 years from 1924 to 1952. She was instrumental in the beginnings of the Bookmobiles on Vancouver Island.

John (Jack) Leitch Clay – Born April 26, 1893 – Jan 1951, married Loretta (Laura) Maud Blake. Jack Clay was a founding barrister of the law firm of Clay & Macfarlane from 1919 until his death in 1951 ( known as Clay & Company until it recently wound up).

Helen & Billy Ellis — Helen Clay & Billy Ellis Wedding

Helen Amelia Clay – Born September 25, 1894 – D. January 03 1957. (Billy d. July 9, 1960)Helen was a renowned Canadian weaver throughout her life. Married William (Billy) Sturgis Ellis on June 25th, 1924. Billy worked at the family business Barber Ellis in Vancouver and loved the game of rugby and was an avid player and coach.

Florence Mary (Mernie) Minto Clay – Born August 24, 1899 – 19 Mar 1968 was the legal secretary for Judge Alan B. MacFarlane while he was a partner at Clay & Macfarlane. Mary spent much of her time volunteering at St Andrews Church (where her father was the reverand) as a Sunday School teacher for many years.

Kathleen (Kay) Mabel Clay – Born March 3, 1904 – 14 Mar 1993. Was quite well known socially and spent her life running the three story family home at 821 Linden Ave. in Victoria which had been turned into rental apartments.

Leslie Dawson Clay– Born October 18, 1896 (died Oct 31 1898 at age 2 from a fire accident playing with matches in his crib)

In 1945 The Shawnigan Lake property was passed to the Clay Children upon their mothers death. In 1946 The original cabin burned in a Fire.

1946 Last photo taken at first cabin Ellis’ and Halls.

Helen (Clay) Ellis had their family Pan-a-bode cabin built in 1948. Jack and Laura Clay had their other cabin built in 1947. Both cabins still stand today.