Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Spence House

The white house with an attic space and a basement at 415 West 16th Street was built before 1939 by J. Spence.  In 1939 a permit for building a $40 garage was applied for.  And in 1941 a permit for building a $25 house addition was applied for. J. Spence had built a previous home in North Vancouver at 223 East 28th.  In 1915 he built a $1500 home there. In 1922 he added a $50 garage and a $50 house addition.  The Spence family lived in their 415 West 16th Street home until this year, at least 70 years.

In 1945 and 1950 J. and Martha Spence owned the house.  J. Spence worked as a driver for North Vancouver Cartage.  By 1960 the owners were Robert W. and Valera J. Spence. Robert W. Spence worked as a salesman for Dairyland.  Robert J. Spence, a student, also lived in the house.  In 1971 and 1980  Robert W. Spence was working as a salesman for the Fraser Valley Milk Producers Association, FVMPA.  In 1991 and 1995/1996 Robert W. and Valera Spence reported to the City Directory staff that they were retired. 

The 2008/2010 North and West Vancouver Phone Directory lists only V. J. Spence at the 415 West 16th Street address.  The company applying for a demolition permit in November of 2010 is A-1 Group of Companies Dev. Lt.

Demolition: Permit applied for from the City of North Vancouver in Nov. 2010.
Photo: Taken in November 2010 by SW.