Thursday, April 29, 2010
State of Grace

A graceful pink dogwood tree greets visitors to the one storey white clapboard house at 4106 Grace Crescent.  The house sitting at a bend in the road is south of Edgewood Road and Handsworth Secondary School and west of the Mac Kay Creek area near the base of the North Shore mountains which can be seen in the the photo above. Here it is nestled with other street that are crescents, roads, drives, places and lanes. The house is built on a cement slab and similar to other homes in this area.

Although there is no listing of the original construction of 4106 Grace Crescent in the Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives the present owner states the age of the home is 56 years. That would make the date it was built as 1954. There is no listing of even the street name Grace Crescent in either the 1948 or in 1950 City Directories. However in 1955 the owners are listed as Eric H. and M. Patricia DeWitt. Eric worked as a salesman at Reliance Imports. And in 1958 a building permit for a $1000 addition was applied for by the then owner G. Aylward. Also the April 28th Blog Post lists a similar house in the general area being built in 1953. So 1954 does seem like it would be in the ball park of when the house was originally built. The 1958 addition was possibly the extra room that appears at the end of the house on the left hand side, outside the area in the photo.

In 1960 the owners were Marjorie E. and George T. Ayward, the builders of the 1958 addition. George was a branch manager at Western Assurance at 980 Pender St. But by 1971 there were new owners, Elizabeth J. and A. Stewart McKenzie. Stewart was a branch manager at the Royal Bank. After that, in 1980, 1991, and 1995/96 the City Directory inquiries were not returned or not verified. However, the present owner states that he has lived in the house at 4106 for 21 years. So it seems he must have moved in about 1979. The present owner has not only lived on Grace Crescent for 21 years but has fond memories of his home there.

Thank you: To the present owner of 4106 Grace Crescent for information about his home.  We wish this gracious man well in his new endeavour.
Demolition: Permit applied for in April 2010.
Photo: Taken in April 2010 by SW.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sold!

The grey stucco house with the white shutters at 971 Hampshire Road has been sold to a developer and a Demolition Permit applied for. As with many houses off Highland Blvd. in the area of Forest Hills in North Vancouver District, it is one storey and built on a cement slab. Also, typical of many of these homes, the carport garage originally on the east side of the house has probably been filled in to make an extra room. The open carport can be seen on several of the other homes on this street. The multi paneled glass front door adds a welcoming feature.

The building permit for the original house was applied for in 1953. P. Bergen the owner of the lot had a $10,000 premises constructed. Two years later, in 1955, S.N.L. and Jean M. Andrews were the owners. S. N. L. was employed as a parts salesman at Vancouver Motors. But after that the whole story of the house is the "Morrison Story". Doug and Margaret E. were owners by 1960. Doug was the vice president of the London Shop. By 1970 he was president of the London Shop Ltd. with its address of 801 West Georgia Street. There are records in the City Directory of him continuing to be president of The London Shop through 1996. In this year, 1996, James and Jane Beveridge were also living in the house. James S. worked as an engineer at Yoneda and Associates, and Jane was a teachers aide at Maplewood Elementary School.

Demolition: Permit applied for in April 2010.
Photo: Taken in April 2010 by SW.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Gone Hiking

Occupancy on the north side of the 200 block of East Esplanade in the City of North Vancouver goes way back. This prime property with its panoramic view of Vancouver was first occupied by tents and "camps". The Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives lists applications:
          in 1911 for a camp at 218 by Mr. Dubberley,
          in 1912 for cabins costing $600 to build at 222 by J. V. Nimmo
                   with the builder being A.G. Mill,
          in 1911 for a tent at 252 by C.W. Vanstone,
          in 1911 for a camp at 262 by G. H. Watts,
          and in 1912 for a 14x24 camp at 296 by J. L. Hampton.

It seems from the Building Permit book that the first business to apply for an application on the 200 block of East Esplanade was in 1929 at 206 by Home Oil Distributors for a Gas Station. It was built for $3000 by W. F. Gardiner. (The address was possibly 260 for an addition to the gas station by Home Oil was applied for in 1938 at this address.) In 1941 Coleman E. Evans applied for building of a Coal Bunker at 200 East Esplanade. The builder was F. Gosse and the cost of construction was $1200.

In the mid 1940's several other businesses were added to the street:
      in 1946 W. K. McKay applied to build a foundry at 234,
      in 1947 E. J. Bonk applied to build a machine shop at 236,
      and in 1948 Allied Woodwork applied to build a woodworking shop
               at 242.

By 1948 the 200 block of East Esplanade seemed to be showing signs of establishing itself as an automotive service center. For although 234 is listed as North Shore Brass and 240 as still Allied Woodworking Ltd. now 236 is Howarth Bros. truckers and 260 in North Vancouver Tire Service. The properties at 212, 214, and 228 seem to remain homes at this time:
      Mrs. V. Kwasnicki is listed at 212 as is W. H. Forsyth,
      P. T. Laffey is listed at 214,
      and 228 is listed as vacant.

By 1970 240 East Esplanade is recorded as housing an automotive related business, North West Automatic Transmission Rebuilders. That business with its president being Karl W. Stefan remained listed in 1981. However, in 1982 the name of the business changed to Biss Motors (The address was listed as 242.) Biss Motors continued to be listed at 240 East Esplanade at least until 1995/96 with Janda Biss as President.

Other automotive business activity was going on in the area below 200 East Esplanade, on the Lower Level Road, the road the branches off of 300 East Esplanade to run closest to the water. At the north side of this junction is 350 Low Level Road. In 1971 it was occupied by Marine Transport, that did cargo handling, and the Yukon Service Garage with J. J. Green as president. In 1975 the occupant was Turbo Resources Ltd. And in 1978 it was reported as being vacant. The following year, in 1979, Moodyville Auto Repair Centre Ltd. was established with Paul Krystof as manager. By 1991 he is listed as president.

When Janda Biss retired his business, Biss Motors, at 240 East Esplanade, Paul Krystof and his Moodyville Auto Repair Centre Ltd. moved from its 350 Lower Level Road address to 240 East Esplanade. Moodyville Auto Repair Centre Ltd. at the Esplanade address is listed in the year 2000 phone book. It is also listed in the 2008/2010 phone book. However, that will be the last listing since Paul Krystof retired at the end of March 2010.

Today six buildings line the north side of the 200 block of East Esplanade. The first building after a large parking lot on the corner with St. George's Ave. starts with the address 218. The fourth building (See photo below.) houses the address 240 East Esplanade, the home of Moodyville Auto Repair Centre Ltd. The date this distinctive building of a series of automotive businesses with repeated colorful garage doors (square glas paines, Moodyville's green, then white, red, two grey,  red again, and then yellow) and adjacent office doors and windows on the first floor is not recorded in the Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives. The two storey building with its second storey veranda and office spaces seems reminiscent of buildings in Chinatown in Vancouver. The 6th building in the block extends all the way to the corner with St. Andrew's Avenue. It was at one time Performance Motorcycles. The parade of motorcycles parked in front added panache to the area. Today there are businesses side by side extending from 218 to 270 East Esplanade. Most still seem to be automotive related.

Thank you: To Paul Krystof for his years of responsible, capable, and honest service and his friendship to our family. We will think of him and his wife hiking the trails of the world and wish them well.

Photo: Taken in March 2010 by SW.

Monday, April 26, 2010
A Triplex is Coming

The modern single storey house at 210 West 19th Street and its neighbor at 206 West 19th Street (See Blog Post Friday, April 26, 2010.) are being demolished to make way for a triplex. The triplex will extend from Chesterfield Avenue to the lane.

The 210 West 19th Street house features vertical siding on the west side of the front and on the sides of the house. The area on the east front wall surrounding the living room window is clad in cream brick. The North Vancouver Archives shows no listings for the house in the Building Permit book, or in the 1955, 1960, or 1965 City Directories. However, in the 1971 City Directory, Mrs. Esne Hayes, a widow, is listed as the owner. She is also listed as the owner in 1980, but her first name is spelled Esme.

In 1991 the City Directory reports the house to be vacant. But by 1995 it reports the Jane and Bruce I. MacDonald were the owners. Jane was a widow and worked at Inlet Metal. By 1995 she had been living at her 210 West 19th Street home for four years.

Demolition: Permit applied for in March 2010.
Photo: Taken in March 2010 by SW.

Sunday Church Feature
Sunday Church Feature
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome Italy

"The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter (Latin: Basilica Sancti Petri), officially known in Italian as the Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano and commonly known as St. Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people.[1] It is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world"[2] and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".[3] In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession.


"Tradition and some historical evidence hold that Saint Peter's tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica. For this reason, many Popes have been interred at St Peter's since the Early Christian period. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction of the present basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.[4]


"St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and with numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo. As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age.[5] Contrary to popular misconception, Saint Peter's is not a cathedral, as it is not the seat of a bishop. It is properly termed a papal basilica." Wikipedia, Link 1.

The obelisk in the right of the photo above is 90 feet of solid granite and weighs more than 300 tons.  It was originally erected in Egypt more than 2,000 years ago.  Emperor Caligula moved it to imperial Rome. (Rick Steve's "Rome".)

If you want your choir to sing as part of one of the services it can be arranged through a tour agency such as Ambassador Tours, Link 2. A Connecticut choir performed there this April. And although the planning is a bit complicated, you can even have your wedding in St. Peter's wedding chapel. The Santa Susanna web site can help that happen. (Link 3.)

Tips from Rich Steves' book "Rome"-Miss the long line ups to tour the Basilica by going at 5 pm.  At this time the crowd that waits in the line ringing St. Peter's Square is gone and you can "go right in".  To miss the three block long line ups that hug the walls of the Vatican waiting to go into the Vatican Museum buy your tickets at the Information Office next to the Basilica.  Pay the extra 4 euros for express tickets and then you can "go right in" at the Museum as well. You don't have to wait until 5 pm to take advantage of this time saver.

Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/st._Peter%27s_Basilica
Link 2: http://www.ambassador-tours.com/pilgrimage-tours.htm
Link 3: http://www.santasusanna.org/
Photo: Taken in Rome, Italy April 2010 by SW.

Saturday Travel Feature
Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy


"The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as the Castel Sant'Angelo, is a towering cylindrical building in Rome, initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum.


"The tomb of the Roman emperor Hadrian, also called Adrian's mole,[1] was erected on the right bank of the Tiber, between 135 AD and 139 AD. Originally the mausoleum was a decorated cylinder, with a garden top and golden quadriga. Hadrian's ashes were placed here a year after his death in Baiae in 138 AD, together with those of his wife Sabina, and his first adopted son, Lucius Aelius, who also died in 138 AD. Following this, the remains of succeeding emperors were also placed here, the last recorded deposition being Caracalla in 217 AD. The urns containing these ashes were probably placed in what is now known as the Treasury room deep within the building.


"Much of the tomb contents and decoration has been lost since the building's conversion into a military fortress in 401 and inclusion by Flavius Augustus Honorius in the Aurelian Walls. The urns and ashes were scattered by Visigothic looters in Alaric's sack of Rome in 410, and the original decorative bronze and stone statuary was thrown down upon the attacking Goths when they besieged Rome in 537, as recounted by Procopius. An unusual survival, however, is the capstone of a funerary urn (most probably that of Hadrian), which made its way to Saint Peter's Basilica and was recycled in a massive Renaissance baptistery.

"Legend holds that the Archangel Michael appeared atop the mausoleum, sheathing his sword as a sign of the end of the plague of 590, thus lending the castle its present name."

"The popes converted the structure into a castle, from the 14th century; Pope Nicholas III connected the castle to St. Peter's Basilica by a covered fortified corridor called the Passetto di Borgo. The fortress was the refuge of Pope Clement VII from the siege of Charles V's Landsknecht during the Sack of Rome (1527), in which Benvenuto Cellini describes strolling the ramparts and shooting enemy soldiers.


"Leo X built a chapel with a fine Madonna by Raffaello da Montelupo. In 1536 Montelupo also created a marble statue of Saint Michael holding his sword after the 590 plague... to surmount the Castel.[3] Later Paul III built a rich apartment, to ensure that in any future siege the Pope had an appropriate place to stay.


"Montelupo's statue was replaced by a bronze statue of the same subject, executed by the Flemish sculptor Peter Anton von Verschaffelt, in 1753. Verschaffelt's is still in place, though Montelupo's can be seen in an open court in the interior of the Castle.


"The Papal state also used Sant'Angelo as a prison; Giordano Bruno, for example, was imprisoned there for six years. Executions were made in the small interior square. As a prison, it was also the setting for the third act of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca from whose ramparts the eponymous heroine of the opera leaps to her death." (Wikipedia)

                                    To view video go to YouTube-Rome Quartet
                                                                    or see Link 1.

Outside the wall of Castel Sant'Angelo, on the side opposite the Tiber River, is a brick amphitheater that is well known by singers for its acoustics. If you are lucky you might get a mini concert by tourists testing fact. Below is a quartet of young singers from the United States doing just that.

Link 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZVm3f9bplA&feature=related
Link 2: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Sant%27Angelo
Photos: Taken in Rome, Italy, April 2010 by SW.

Friday, April 23, 2010
$250 1930 Foundation

This two storey house with the large eastern side yard sits on the first lot on the north side of  West 19th Street and Chesterfield Avenue. A large side yard with a laurel hedge separates it from the traffic on Chesterfield Ave.  It has been at 206 West 19th Street for the last 80 years. The house was owned by C. Maitland when the building permit for a $250 foundation was applied for in 1930. The actual date of the building of the house with the front bay window is not noted in the Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives, but in 1944 J. Bonar applied for a building permit for a $750 addition. Jason and Florence E. Bonar continued to live there in 1955. Jason was an employee at Burrard Dry Dock. By 1960 Florence is listed as widow. However, there was at least one other family that owned the house between the building of the foundation in 1930 and the addition in 1944. That family was Thomas M. and Anna L. Moon in 1940. Thomas worked as a labourer at BCER.

In 1971 Arthur A. and Lillian Howard owned the house at 206 West 19th Street. Arthur was employed as a janitor in the North Vancouver School District. He had retired by 1980. In 1991 Catherine Bauer was the owner. She must have bought the house the year earlier since in the 1995/96 City Directory she is reported as having owned the house for 6 years. Another Bauer, J. Bauer is listed in the year 2000 phone book as living at the 206 West 19th Street address. 

The house next door to the west, 210 West 19th Street is also scheduled for demolition.  A large triplex will be built on the two lots.

Note: Photo included in the Year 2000 Photography Project, Your House/Our Home by SW that is available at the North Vancouver Archives housed in the Community History Centre at 3203 Institute Rd.
Demolition: Permit applied for in March 2010.
Photo: Taken in March 2010 by SW.