From a Photograph to Forever: The Emerson Legacy at Eagle Bay
The original cabin the Emersons bought. It has been moved several times, and the current owners have preserved it, so it now looks better than ever. (Photo courtesy of the Emerson family)
By Karen Loerke
Roy and Clara Emerson’s time at Eagle Bay began in 1947, inspired by a photo of a sunset over Shuswap Lake that their son Ken brought home. When Ken’s friend Bill Barr mentioned a rare offer—sixty-two and a half acres of untouched lakeshore with 1,700 feet of waterfront—Roy was intrigued. The land had only a small 12x16 log cabin and an old barn, and no road access. Undeterred, Roy was quickly charmed and bought it even though Clara was unsure. Soon, as the family settled in, Clara grew to love Eagle Bay, and their adventure began.
Once settled in 1947, the Emersons quickly found their cabin cramped, especially with Ken there. Seeking comfort, Roy built a lean-to with two small bedrooms. His ingenuity brought hope and excitement to their lakeside adventure, setting the tone for changes ahead.
However, their new additions brought new challenges. As months passed, Roy watched their savings from selling the house on the Coast shrink. Uncertain about the future but determined, he worked with Frank Leslie, a local logger, to arrange the sale of timber from their land. The $1,500 deal briefly improved their situation. Still, uncertainty about what lay ahead lingered, adding suspense to their story.
Roy’s carpentry skills became well known at Eagle Bay. Neighbours sought his help, and his first job with the Turgeons helped the Emersons feel at home. Roy accepted any available work, demonstrating his determination and commitment. For several summers, Roy and Ken even helped fight fires across the lake at Magna Bay, gaining adventure and making new friends.
Roy’s growing reputation continued to shape their lives. Over the years, Roy and his friend Bob Davidson became well-known for building charming cabins along the lakeshore. When Roy stopped building in 1969, he didn’t step away from the community—he continued to look after neighbours’ cottages during the winter, ever the reliable friend and caretaker.
Through the decades from the 1940s to the late 1980s, Eagle Bay remained Roy and Clara’s cherished haven, filled with hard work, laughter, and the simple pleasures of lakeside living.
Years later, after leaving the area for work, Ken returned to the lake with his family as often as he could, drawn back by fond memories and the shimmering water. In 1982 or 1983, following Geo’s early retirement, Ken and Geo moved a mobile home onto the Emerson property so they could care for his aging parents. In 1988, when Roy’s health declined and he had to leave the lake, the memories and spirit of Eagle Bay remained a constant source of comfort for him.
The lake remained Ken’s sanctuary, making it all the more bittersweet when the property was sold after Roy and Clara’s later years, sometime after 1988. Today, Megan and Jeffrey Larsen own the land along Armstrong Road, yet the Emerson spirit lingers on the shore.
Ken is buried at Eagle Bay Community Cemetery with his parents, Roy and Clara. In July 2025, his family brought his ashes to Eagle Bay and held a celebration of life at the Community Hall, calling it his happy place. Welcome home, Ken! The Emerson family is remembered for over 40 years in Eagle Bay, where they were pioneers in the community.
As an aside, two of Ken’s grandsons later bought property on the north shore, with the eldest still living in Magna Bay. The Emerson family’s enduring connection to the Shuswap continues through each generation.
Roy and Clara Emerson with Ken as a baby (Photos courtesy of the Emerson family)
Roy and Clara in their senior years.
