Happy 2026, Harewood!

2025 was a big year for Harewood.life. 

What began as a passion project rooted in local history continues to grow into a living archive of Harewoodness.

Over the past year, we dug deep into lost (but not-forgotten) neighbourhood landmarks, resurfaced old and rare photographs, and explored some of the latest local news and community happenings. We shared stories that connect generations, from coal-mining roots and wartime moments to corner stores, cherished cross-roads, and much-loved gathering spots.

Here are some of our favourite articles published in 2025 – a snapshot of Harewood’s past, preserved for the future.

Harewood History: Born of Coal and Community – This foundational piece traces Harewood's evolution from an Indigenous landscape known as the "Land of Wakesiah" to a rugged coal-mining settlement that helped power BC's early economy. It explores how the arrival of coal seekers and companies in the late 1800s gave rise to a tight-knit and self-sufficient community.

Samuel Matthew Robins: Father of Harewood – This profile remembers the man behind much of Harewood's early community fabric. As Superintendent of the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company, Samuel M. Robins wasn't just an industrial leader, he was a visionary community builder whose decisions shaped the neighbourhood's transition from raw land to a thriving, inclusive settlement.

Harewood History: Five Acres – This article takes readers back to a time when Harewood was known as Five Acres. The area was a planned agricultural community born from Samuel M. Robins’ 19th-century vision of five-acre plots where working families could farm, raise livestock, and build resilient lives. This semi-rural layout shaped the very pattern of streets and property lines that still define the area today.

The First Stores in Harewood – This piece explores the humble beginnings of retail and daily life in early Harewood through its first general stores. These shops were where families and neighbours gathered to buy goods, share news, and stitch the social fabric together. The story behind some of the earliest commercial landmarks shows how these everyday places were integral to Harewood’s identity.

We Miss the Harewood Arms Pub – We look back at the beloved Harewood Arms Pub (The Hairy Armpit), a local bar that once stood as a vibrant social heart of the neighbourhood. More than just a place to grab a beer, the pub was where generations of residents gathered to laugh, celebrate milestones, and forge lifelong friendships – a living room for the community.

The Fun Centre in Harewood – We remember the Harewood Fun Centre, the once-cherished hub of entertainment in the hood. Pool, classic arcade games, pinball machines, and a lot of memories. We have a tons of cherished recollections of this place. See the only known photo on the internet of the old Fun sign!

Ye Olde Corner Store – See a photo from the 90s of the classic Ye Olde Corner Store in Harewood and read about the store's owner Tony, a Harewood legend. This shop was around for years on the corner of Bruce and 7th Street and every kid in the area remembers going there for candy, comic books and ice cream.

80s Harewood Mall Monopoly – We found an old newspaper ad that shows a custom Harewood Mall Monopoly board game, with a bunch of old stores on the squares of the board! This is a fun and nostalgic display of Harewood shops of yesteryear. Which stores do you remember?

Fat Cat: My First Bank Account – Kids in Harewood remember The Nanaimo Credit Union's bank accounts featuring a fullsome feline. If your parents were members of the Mid-Island Co-op, you probably had one of these. Check out this article for some nostalgic pics of a historical Harewood institution.

Old Logos of Nanaimo Malls – Nanaimo used to be a town known for its vast and busy malls. Check out the old mall logos from your favourites Harewood Mall, Harbour Park, Northbrook, Country Club, Terminal, Rutherford, and Woodgrove – the way they looked back in the day!

Dam Good Place To Swim – Join us at Harewood’s Colliery Dam Park for a dip! This article explores the history of this treasured local greenspace and swimming hole. Learn about the fight to save the dams by members of the community after politicians decided they would be removed.

Flashback: Harewood School Facing the Wrecking Ball – A video from 2011 shows news coverage of the demolition of the historic Harewood School. Everyone who grew up around here remembers this old school in the middle of Harewood (now an empty lot). Really sad this place had to go!

Harewood Plaza In The 1960s – This famous local shopping area on the corner of Fifth Street and Bruce Avenue in Nanaimo is better known to people who grew up in the neighbourhood as Harewood Mall, but is now called University Village Shopping Centre. See how it looked in the 60s.

Big 7 Motel and ABC Family Restaurant – Step back in time before Alice's Restaurant existed, and before the ABC Family Restaurant moved down the street to a different hotel on Nicol Street and changed its name to Ricky's. Back then the Value Lodge Motel was known as the Big & Motel.

4th & Bruce Square Through The Years – The corner of 4th Street and Bruce Avenue in Harewood has been home to many businesses, like The Mandarin House and Mr 1-Hour Cleaners. Read about the long history of this classic Harewood location and see a photo of the old gas station.

Happy 2026, Harewood! Stay tuned for more articles, photos, and videos highlighting the history and happenings of our hood.