In the early days, mail that was simply addressed with your name and Mill Bay was brought to Cowichan Bay by boat and was delivered by anyone who knew you and happened to be going your way.

In 1916 the Rural Mail Service started with Isaac John Shepherd as courier.  He delivered to 20 mail boxes by horse and buggy. 

In 1954 postage for a letter was three cents and one cent for a postcard.  If you needed stamps or had a parcel to be weighed you would leave money in your mail box. The postmaster kept a number of small bottles and would keep the change for your next parcel or overweight letter.

(Along Mill Bay Rd. / Adelaide Ellis)