Monday, October 25, 2010
More Black and White
Compound on Capilano

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Prominent citizens of North Vancouver lived at the 3065 Capilano Road address.  The compound consisted of a large three storey main house, a separate building that was a small studio,  a double garage, and a tennis court.  The house was at the end of the driveway and near the Capilano River with the studio in front to the south and the garage in the front to the north.  The tennis court was near Capilano Road.  The land covered 1 1/2 acres.  Its west border was the Capilano River.  On that river side there was a rock wall to protect the house.  There were also 148 steps that went down to the river.  They were built by the Water Board but are no longer there.  The whole complex was hooded in tall trees.

A Building Permit was applied for in 1940 for a $2750 house by H. H. Cheney.  In 1941 H. H. Cheney applied for a $125 house alteration. The Cheney's also built the studio. In 1945 the City Directory lists the owners as Dr. Hill H. C and Anna G.  Cheney.  Dr. Hill Cheney was the assistant director of  Xray at Vancouver General Hospital.  In 1950 Mrs. Anna G. Cheney, widow, was listed as the owner.  Nan (Anna Gertrude Lawson) Cheney was "B.C.'s first medical artist (and first medical artist at UBC's faculty of Medicine 1951 to 1962-The Sun Nov. 7, 1985.) and a long time friend of Emily Carr...a painter who worked closely with Group of Seven members Lawren Harris and Jack MacDonald... Described as "a good painter in her own right" by artist Gordon Smith,..." Nan Lawson Cheney died in 1985 at age 88. 

Studio

In the 1951 City Directory Dr. J. F. and Annabellel L. Minnes were the owners of 3065 Capilano Road.  Dr. J. F. Minnes as an eye doctor.  In 1952 A. Minnes applied for a Building Permit for a $500 house addition.   Dr. Minnes made additions to both the house and the studio. A two storey wing was added to each side of the house.  On one side was a breakfast room and bedroom and on the other a front porch and a bedroom.  The bedrooms were upstairs.  Dr. Minnes also added a bedroom and bathroom to the studio.  And he was the owner who added the tennis court. In 1961 the Minne's continued to own the Capilano Road home and Dr. Jason Minnes office was reported as being at 3195 Granville Street in Vancouver. 

Double Garage

In 1991 and 1998  the City Directories list Colin K. Parkinson at the owner of 1965 Capilano Road.  Ella Parkinson was one of the instigators  of the North Shore Arts Commission.  She continued as Executive Director until she retired after 20 years in 1994.  Ella Parkinson was a Recipient of the Centennial Distinguished Citizen Awards from North Vancouver.

Thank you: To Ella Parkinson for the phone interview in 2002 and the detailed description of the property at 3065 Capilano Rd.

Demolition: Permit applied for in 2002.

Photos: Taken for Demolition and Construction Project Roll #9 in 2002 by SW,
                 on file at the North Vancouver Archives.
Link:http://www.vancouverhistory.ca/whoswho_C.htm