Friday, June 11, 2010
50 Years on Woodbine Drive

The green shuttered house at 2911 Woodbine Drive has actually been there for 60 years. But it is the family that presently owns that has been there at least 50 years.

This home is a stones throw from Edgemont Village in heart of the District of North Vancouver and was built in 1950. The owner was D. Shattock and the construction cost was $10,000. In 1955 Robert L. and Roberta E. J. Wilson were the owners.

But by 1961 the Caesar family had moved into the Woodbine Drive home. They not only moved in but applied for a building permit for a $300 carport. Robin L. Caesar and his wife Judy/Judith are listed in the Building Permit books as living there through 1996. And they are listed in the North Vancouver Phone Books as continuing to live there in 2008. However, only J. Caesar is listed at that address in the 2010 phone book.

In 1961 Robin Caesar was employed as a forester at C. D. Schultz and Co. In 1971 he was the operations manager at C. D. Schultz and Co. From 1980 to 1996 Robin L. Caesar is listed as the president of R. L. Caesar and Associates Ltd. In 1995/96 Judith Caesar is also employed at R. L. Caesar and Associates Ltd., as the office secretary.

Demolition Permit: Applied for in June 2010.
Photo: Taken in June 2010 by SW.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Hughes Home for 35 Years

The house with its broad front wall fireplace is set back in a  grove of tall cedar trees at 2580 Colwood Dr.  When it was built in 1957 this area of Colwood Drive was a new street. There was no listing for the 2500 block of Colwood Drive even in the 1960 City Directory. F. J. Hamilton built the house on the new street near Edgemont Village for $17,500.  F. Jason Hamilton was still the owner in 1962. At this time he reported to the City Directory that he was a student.

By 1965 the address was listed and Andrew N. and Barbara C. Jacox were the owners. Mrs. Barbara Jacox was employed as a saleswoman at F. Howe and Co. In 1971 Douglas C. and Patricia Miles were the owners of the house. Douglas Miles was a salesman at Carlisle Douglas and Co., stock broker and investment dealers at 890 Pender St. in Vancouver.

The Hughes family moved in 1975 and they stayed. Donald W. and Gwendolyn M. Hughes have lived at 2580 Colwood Dr. for 35 years. In 1980 Donald was president of Steven Jenter Laboratories at 1940 Lonsdale Avenue. In 1991 he reported to the City Directory that he was a physician at 1940 Lonsdale Avenue. He was also a physician in 1995.  As well  in 1995  Jennifer and Stephanie Hughes were listed as students  living at the 2580 Colwood Drive address.

Now there are  new owners  at 2580 Colwood Drive.  The house will be demolished and an architect has been hired to design a new contemporary home in the grove of tall cedar trees.

Photo: Taken in May 2010 by SW.
Demolition: Permit appied for in May 2010.

Thursday, January 28, 2010
Round 4 Pane Window

The house at 2888 Crescentview Dr. was built in 1950 for $9000 by H. Williamson.  It features the welcoming round four pane window and windowed front door of eight panes. In 1955 Chas and H. Jocelyn Crocker were living in the house.  Chas was an engineer at B.C. Equipment. By 1960 the City Directory indicates the resident was Mrs. A. R. Daly.  And in 1970 there was no reply to City Directory inquiries.


The  Crescentview Drive house sits on the north side of the ridge above Murdo Fraser Golf Course in the District of North Vancouver.  It is only accessible by both the east and west intersections with Edgemont Blvd.  and is in walking distance to Edgemont Village. The village has an abundance of shopping: supermarket, children's shop, jeweler, produce market, book store, drug store, garden shop, dress shop, bakery, liquor store, and convenience store.  It also has a bank, restaurants, coffee shops, and a library. It is a perfect  business or leisure destination.


Murdo Fraser Golf  Course is a 9 hole course with a pond and an off the cliff  T-off.


Demolition Permit: Applied for October 2009.

Photo: Taken October 24, 2009 by SW.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The James' Residence

The house at 891 Leovista Avenue is truly the James' Residence. D. A. James built the house for $8500 in 1951.  Nine years later, in 1960, he built a $2500 addition.  For both jobs the builders were Bridgeman and Williams.  In 1955 Doug was working as an adjuster for Turner Meredith  and Co., and he and his wife Norma were living in the house.  In 1960 Doug and Norma still lived  at 891 and he was the casualty manager for Underwriters Adjustment Burrard.  Ten years later, in 1970, the D. in D. James was David and he was a student.  After another 10 years, in 1980, only Norma James was listed at the Leovista Avenue James' Residence. So, after building the house a member of the James family lived there at least for 29 years.

Leovista Avenue  continues to be a desirable place to live.  It is north of and convenient to Edgemont Village and just off Highlands Blvd, west of Mosquito Creek.  The new house being built at 891 Leovista by Noort Homes will be considerably larger than the James' Residence.  It will be 5487 square feet with four bedrooms, a den and four full bathrooms. Perhaps the new owners will enjoy the quiet and convenient location for 29 years as well. 

Link: http://www.noorthomes.com/index.cfm?method=residential.list&cityid=FB3FE305-36CC-4E4B-B486-22A7CCBDE26D
Demolition Permit: Applied for October 2009.
Photo: Taken October 24, 2009 by SW.