Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Galon's Formal Garden

The house with the amazing formal garden in the front yard sat at 306 East 23rd Street. It didn't start out with this garden when it was built for $400 in 1939 by T. Joy Sr. But the Building Permit book does reveal that it did start out with a garage that T. Joy moved onto the property at a cost of $100. In 1944 R. W. Hughes applied for a building permit for a $350 house alteration. The next year, 1945, the residents at 306 East 23rd Street were Peter D. and Lavina Curbello. Peter Curbello worked as a longshoreman. Soon after that, 1947, T. Joy, the original owner of 306 East 23rd Street, was living at 750 Grand Boulevard and applied to build a $100 garage there. In 1945 Robert and Jennie Hughes, the owners who applied for the 1944 house alteration, were back living in the house at 306 East 23rd Street. By this time Robert Hughes was retired. The next owners were Robert H.and Sharon D. M. Spring. Robert Spring was a constable in the RCMP.

Then by 1971 Michael F. and Helen Galan moved in. Michael Galan was employed as an electrician at Ketco Electric at 110 Lonsdale Avenue and in his spare time worked on the garden. He is the one responsible for the formal front garden with its pillars and walkways. By 1980 Michael Galan was employed as a Botond Shipper at Pac Truck and Trailer. In 1991 his employment was listed in the City Directory as a contractor. And in 1991 he reported that he was retired. Michael and Helen were still living in the house when it was photographed for the Year 2000 Photography Project, Your House/Our Home.

The Galon home and garden at 306 East 23rd Street has been  demolished and two new homes have been built with separate garages on the lane.


Demolition Permit: Applied for in August 2007.
Photo: Taken for the Year 2000 Photography Project, Your House/Our Home by SW. A black and white negative was also taken as part of the Demolition and Construction project by SW. Both are on file at the North Vancouver Archives.