Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Orwell Street, Where Are You?
The answer to that question is easy if you read yesterday's blog, especially for 872 Orwell Street since its backyard seems to be adjacent to that of 887 Premier Street. But the reason the question was even posed is that there is no record for this address in the Building Permit Book or the 1950, 1960, 1971, or 1980 City Directories. In fact, even Orwell Street isn't listed in the 1950 or 1960 City Directories. (Update: E. Oakes revealed in 2011 that there was a 1980 Building Permit issued to R. J. Pearce with an occupancy permit issued in 1982.)
And then the Pearce family appears. In 1971 Mrs. Evelyn Pearce owned 887 Premier Street. Then in 1985 Revell J. Pearce and Evelyn Pearce, both retired, are listed as living at 872 Orwell Street. They are again listed as residents and retired in the 1995/1996 City Directory. R. J. Pearce reported that he had been living at that address for over 9 years, so that means he moved into 887 Premier Street in the mid 1980's, also confirmed by the 1985 City Directory.
The 2008/2010 North and West Vancouver Phone Directories record the Pearce family continuing to live at 872 Orwell Street until recently. The 1999/2000 issue lists R. J. and Evelyn Pearce at that address. The 2006/2007 and 2008/2010 issues list Colin Orwell at the 872 Orwell Street address.
The house at 872 Orwell Street is unique for many reasons. It is at the end of a cul de sac. It is across the street from the path going to Inter River Park. Its construction looks like two houses. One is a red brick clad entrance with a fireplace chimney. Attached behind that is a Tudor trimmed white stucco rectangular building with windows facing the west. The Link from yesterday's post on 887 Premier St. seems to indicate that multifamily housing will be built on this lot. This side of Orwell Street has already undergone this transformation and is now a series of row houses.
Demolition Permit: Applied for August 2010.
Photo: Taken in August 2010 by SW.
Note: See September 13th, 2010 blog post "On the Way to the Dump" regarding 887 Premier Street.
Update: Thank you to Sharon Proctor and E. Oakes for this information.
