The Garage

The Garage

The Garage or "truck shed" was probably built about 1944-1945, about the same time that the McLean's purchased the red Hayes truck.

"Big Red" was purchased by the McLean Lumber Company in 1945. It was custom built by Hayes Manufacturing, a well-known builder of heavy trucks for the forestry industry. In 1945, it was generally difficult to purchase trucks like this, as resources and materials were being directed towards the war efforts. The McLean's were granted special permission and were only able to order a new logging truck because lumber was an important resource in the war. Big Red has been restored to working condition, by the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society.

The basic structure of the garage has not changed, but the tin roof was raised above the two westerly stalls in about 1951 to accommodate logging trucks with their log trailer above their cab roofs. The pit in the most westerly stall was deeper during the1950s and was used to change the oil on the trucks. The mechanic Jerry Gonier also completed valve and lube jobs on the trucks, either in the garage or in the mechanic shop. A hole in the West wall of the garage can still be seen. It was cut out by Jerry White to allow the men to pull the axles out of the logging trucks once they had been driven into the stalls. Until the machine shop was built in about 1992, Mr. Gonier had to keep his workbench and tools in the open garage.

Restoration:

The garage was found in poor condition with parts in imminent danger of collapse.

Restorative work on the garage included replacement of posts and foundations, wall repairs, as well as anew roof.