At the heart of the nine acre Filberg Park is the 1930’s heritage lodge,
the former home of local pioneers Robert and Florence Filberg.
Originally from Sweden, by way of the western United States, Comox
Valley became his home in1909. Here he found work with the Comox
Logging and Railway Co., a subsidiary of the Canadian Western Lumber Co.,
as a Timber cruiser-someone who estimates the amount of harvestable
wood in a given area. While working he became well acquainted with the
company’s president and his daughter. Bob successfully courted Florence
and by 1916 they were married. Due in equal part to his marriage to his
boss’s daughter and his skill as a timber man, Bob eventually rose to the
rank of president of the lumber company. With new logging methods
and higher harvest rate along with high timber prices, the company
made record profits. This new-found fortune allowed the Filbergs to
expand their property holding and purchase a summer home in Comox
on the waterfront.

In 1929, Mr. Filberg commissioned master builder William Hagarty to build
this summer lodge for him and his family. The lodge has a Scandinavian
theme know as the “arts and crafts” style (recognizable for the extensive
use of wood, steep pitches on the roofs and a rustic yet upscale look).
The house, with its five bedrooms, five fireplaces, and four bathrooms, was
massive for the 1093’s even though it was only 4,000 sq. ft. It took six years
to build. Some people say that Mr. Filberg stretched out the building process
to keep his men employed throughout the Great Depression.
Originally the house was meant to be their summer home, but the Filbergs
were so pleased with it that they made it their permanent home in 1935.

Upon his death in 1977, Bob bequeathed the nine acre property and the
lodge, along with 11 million dollars, to the Vancouver Foundation, which
has grown into the largest community endowment fund in Canada. In 1979
the Town of Comox was able to gain ownership and it became a municipal
heritage site.

The Filberg Heritage lodge and Park have become a popular venue for picnics,
weddings, art shows and special events including the popular yearly Filberg
festival featuring an artisan market and concerts by many well known musicians.
Entry to the lodge is by donation and the park is free of charge except during
special events.

Part of the gallery: Vancouver Island

Best viewed in original size