Monday, May 14, 2010

House of Multipaned Windows

This house with two three panel sets of multi paned windows sits at 647 East 22nd Street in the City of North Vancouver. It is snug between Greenwood Park on the north, Grand Boulevard to the south and the Upper Levels Freeway on the east. Queensbury Elementary School is just a block away. There is no listing of this address in either the Building Permit book or the 1940 City Directory.

However, by 1945 George S. and Ellen M. Pow owned the house. George Pow was employed as a pressman at North Shore Press. In 1950 another George was the owner. This time it was George B. and Lilias G. Wight. This George was employed as a driver for Laurance and Lawrence. In 1960 Cecil J. D. and Margaret J. Gillies were reported as the owners. Cecil was an engineer at Vancouver Ice. The residents in 1971 and owners in 1980 were Michael F. and Anne M. Ryan. Michael Ryan was a mechanic at Hoffar's Ltd., marine engineers at 2350 Willingdon in Burnaby. In 1980 Michael F. Ryan worked as an engineer at Cullen Diesel which was at the 2350 Willingdon address. The residents at 647 East 22nd Street in 1991 and 1995 were John and Susan Martin. John reported being retired in both years. They must have moved there in 1989 because they reported in 1995 that they had lived there for 6 years.

In the month of June 2007 Suzanne Wilson celebrated the City of North Vancouver's 100 birthday by distributing to their home owners copies of 1000 photos taken for the Y2K Project. At this time it was discovered that the home photographed at 647 East 22nd Street had been demolished.  A large new home has been built with a separate garage on the lane.



Photo: Taken in the year 2000 by SW.
Reference: The Year 2000 Project was donated by Suzanne and Alan Wilson to the North Vancouver Archives and is available for viewing.

Sunday Church Feature
La Seu Cathedral, Palma, Mallorca

  "La Seu is a gothic Roman Catholic cathedral located in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, built on the site of an existing Arab mosque. It is 121 metres long, 55 metres wide and 44 meters of nave height. Designed in Spanish "levantino" Gothic style with influences of the North European gothic, it was founded by King James I of Aragon in 1229 but finished only in 1601. It sits overlooking the Parc de la Mar and the Mediterranean Sea, protected by the old town walls...Fifty years after a restoration of the Cathedral had started, Antoni Gaudí was invited in 1901 to take over the project." (See  Link 1.) (See May 16, 2010 Blog Post for another Gaudi church.) This massive Gothic Cathedral dominates the city skyline of Palma, Mallorca.  "If you catch the sun falling through the rose window on a bright morning, every nook and cranny in the Mallorca cathedral lights up like a rainbow and you will understand why it is commonly referred to as ‘The Cathedral of Light’." (See Link 2.) This rose window measuring 100m2 is the largest Gothic rose window in the world. It is divided into 24 triangles, half of which form the Star of David. (See Link 3.)

"On this side(the side facing the ocean) also lies the jewel in the crown of the Mallorca cathedral - the Mirador portal. (See photo below.) This is the huge arched entrance half way along the façade, which surely contributes the most important Gothic group of sculptures in Mallorca (Majorca). Between 1380 and 1422, Northern European and Mallorcan artists worked on this Gothic masterpiece, with the Mallorcan architect and sculptor Guillem Sagrera being the leading local contributor.

"Within the arches are two clearly differentiated horizontal sculptures: the first depicting the Eternal father with adoring angels and the other, directly below, the last supper. On the pillar between the two doors is a delightful Virgin Mary with child and in the niche of each arch are the sculptures of five saints; James, John and Peter on the left, and Andrew and Paul on the right. Together, they make this portal one of the most important examples of Mallorcan medieval art on the island." (See Link 2.)

Photos: Top-Front of Cathedral with rose window and palm trees of Mallorca. Middle-Front of Cathedral with rose window, top of arch above front doors, twin towers, and central angel statue on roof peak.  Bottom-Detail of side entrance described.

Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Seu
Link 2: http://www.northsouthguides.com/mallorca_cathedral.html
Link 3: http://www.mca-hotels.com/holidays-guide-mallorca/8/12/23/palma-de-mallorca/monuments/seu-cathedral/

Saturday Travel Feature

Ayuntamiento of Palma de Mallorca

"Palma is the major city and port on the island of Mallorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. It is situated on the south coast of the island on the Bay of Palma. The population of the city of Palma proper was 401,270 in 2009. It is the twelfth largest urban area of Spain. Almost half of the total population of Mallorca live in Palma."Link 1.

"Ayuntamiento of Palma" is the Town Hall where the city council meets. The street name is mounted on the corner of the building "Place de Cort". "The city hall also known as "Cort", is a Baroque structure built on top of an old sixteenth-century hospital." Link: 2 Its large center clock, iron balcony, and ornate cornices above the doors and windows are distinctive features. It was built in the 17th century.

Mallorca is well known among fashionable women for its production of beautiful man made pearls.  "Majorca pearls are imitation pearls manufactured on the island of Majorca. Local Mallorca women have specialized in the artistic fabrication of faux pearls since the 19th Century and are worldwide recognized for its quality and perfection: Majorca pearls have such a resemblance to the natural pearls that only experts can tell them apart." Link 3.

Photo: Taken in April 2010 in Mallorca by SW.

Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palma,_Majorca
Link2:http://www.boatbookings.com/yachting_content/palma_mallorca_tour.php
Link 3: http://www.bestofmallorca.net/activities/trips/majorca-pearls

Friday, May 21, 2010
Historic 200 Block of East 19th Street

The south side of 200 block of East 19th Street in the City of North Vancouver is well known for its 12 similar 1910 homes referred to by local residents as "The Apostle". Photos of each of these homes from 201 to 239 East 19th Street can be seen in the "City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994" as well as in the Year 2000 Photography Project, Your House/Our Home. Both of these resources are at the North Vancouver Archives.


Farther east on the 200 block is 261 East 19th Street that was also photographed for the Year 2000 Photography Project, Your House/Our Home. The original house at this address was built in 1912 for $1500 which was a substantial price at that time. The owner was C.S. Sharpe and the architect Jackson and Fox. This 1912 home does not seem to be the one in the photo above. The Building Permits suggest this as well since there is a second listing for a home built at 261 East 19th Street. This shingled house was built by owner W. H. Walker in 1923 for $800. William Walker continued to live at 261 East 19th Street in 1931 at which time he worked as a salesman.


In 1940 the owner was John Alexander, a musician. He was also living in the house in 1950 by which time he had retired. In 1960 George F. and Dorothy E. Schafer were the owners. George Schafer was a plumber at General Pluming and Heating. They also owned the house in 1971 when George Schafer worked as a pipefitter. By 1980 Ted and Blanquita Dimapilis owned the home at 261 East 19th Street. They lived there until at least the year 2000 which was when the photo above was taken. In 1980 Ted Dimapilis was employed as a maintenance man with the North Vancouver School Board. In 1991 and the year 2000 he worked as a ship chandler. In 1995 Pamela Dimapilis, a student, was also listed in the City Directory as living at 261 East 19th Street.

In the month of June 2007 Suzanne Wilson celebrated the City of North Vancouver's 100 birthday by distributing to their home owners copies of 1000 photos taken for the Y2K Project. At this time it was discovered that the home photographed at 261 East 19th Street had been demolished and a new modern wood and glass home had been built.


Photo: Taken in the year 2000 by SW.
Reference: The Year 2000 Project was donated by Suzanne and Alan Wilson to the North Vancouver Archives and is available for viewing.

Thursday, May 20, 2010
Seismic Upgrading

The tower is removed, the roof is off, the building looks gutted, chunks of cement are heaped on the playground, but Ridgeway Elementary School is not being demolished. Ridgeway Elementary School at 420 East 8th Street is undergoing a "Seismic Upgrading".

Photo: Tower removed and sitting in front of school.

In September 2010 the teachers and students moved to the old Cloverley School at 420 Hendry Avenue. That school building has been augmented with the old portable buildings from Lonsdale Elementary School at 2151 Lonsdale Ave. that was closed in 2005 and has since been demolished. (See Blog Post January 12, 2010.) The $21 million dollar Ridgeway Elementary School project is official called "Reconstruction and Heritage Restoration". (See photo below.) It is being funded by the North Vancouver School District and the Province of B.C. Ministry of Education. The architectural firm is D.A. Architects and Planning. The Heritage consultant is Robert Lemon Architecture Inc. Completion and return of the teachers and students to the shcool on Est 8th Street is expected in 2011. Sketches of the completed building and playground area appear on the sign below.

"The original Ridgeway Elementary School was built in 1911-1912 by Architects, Jones and Gillam, "The honourable Henry Esson Young, Minister of Education, officially opened the original portion of this building on April 8, 1912. It is a richly detailed essay in the Second Renaissance Revival style, and uses brick, sandstone, and rough cast stucco to achieve a strongly articulated facade. The Smith Brothers were the contractors for the original building, which cost $48,000 to build. Temporary ends were built on the central block, until the construction commenced in the 1920's on the north and south wings. North and South Wings, Benzie and Bow, architects, 1926."  "City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994" page 18. (See photo below.)

Link: http://www.nvsd44.bc.ca/sitecore/content/CapitalProjects/RidgewayQMaryHeritageProjects.aspx

Photos: Taken in April 2010 by SW. Top photo-rear of school on Moody Avenue side. Second photo-front of school on Ridgeway Avenue side. Third photo-south side of school with sign on 8th Street. Bottom photo-page 18 of "City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994."

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Bay Window Shingled Home

The white shingled house with the front bay window was built at 211 East 18th Street. The date a building permit was applied for does not seem to be documented. However, a house with similar features, the bay window, the windows in the front gable end of the roof, and the glass panels in the front door was built in 1930 at 206 West 19th Street. (See Blog Post Friday, April 23, 2010.)

The first City Directory listing of 211 East 18th Street was found in the 1931 edition. The owners were John C. and Jean Kirkness. John worked as a meat cutter, and Jane was a clerk at Woodwards. In 1940 John C.  and Ann R. Kirkness lived in the house. Now John was the proprietor at Norland Smoke Shop. By 1950 Fredrich H. and Gertrude F. Smith were the owners. Fredrich was employed as an accountant at the Bank of Montreal. In 1960 Alan G. and Dora Harrison were now the owners. Alan was a packer at Eaton's. By 1971 the Olson's had moved in. Johann M. and Beryl E. Olson were the owners. Johann was the caretaker at the North Vancouver Drill Hall. Johann (no initial) a student was also a resident of 211 East 18th Street. Johann M. and Beryl were still living in the house in 1980, but by this time Johann had retired. In 1991 C. Wong was the owner and in 1995 he reported to the City Directory that he had been living there for five years.

The photo of 211 East 18th Street was taken by Suzanne Wilson as part of her Year 2000 Photography Project, Your House/Our Home. 2000 photos of homes in the City of North Vancouver were photographed. Approximately 800 of these were accompanied by some history from the present or previous home owner sometimes including personal photographs.



In the month of June 2007 Suzanne Wilson celebrated the City of North Vancouver's 100 birthday by distributing to their home owners copies of 1000 photos taken for the Y2K Project. At this time it was discovered that the home photographed at 211 East 18th Street had been demolished and new housing was under construction.


Photo: Taken in the year 2000 by SW.
Reference: The Year 2000 project was donated by Suzanne and Alan Wilson to the North Vancouver Archives and is available for viewing.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Behind the Wrought Iron Fence

The house behind the wrought iron fence was at 260 East 17th Street in the City of North Vancouver. 260 East 17th Street is only two blocks and easy walking distance from Lonsdale Avenue and 17th Street, the shopping hub of the City. Here a home was reported in the Building Permit book as being built in 1926 by Edward S. Alexander. Edward was a journalist and continued to live in the house at least until 1931. The house in the photo above looks more like a home built in the 1950's. However, there is no evidence as to it being built at that time.

In 1940 the home owners were Helen and D. M. Moore, retired. Moore's also lived in the house in 1950, but this time it was Mary R. and Jason M. Moore. Mason was a mill worker at King Lumber. In 1960 the resident was Mrs. Rosalie F. L. Carney. Rosalie was the proprietor at White Swan Hairdressing at 1205 Lonsdale Avenue. The owners in 1971 were Howard A. and Dorothy I. Thompson. Howard was employed as a teacher in the North Vancouver School District. In 1980 the house was reported as being vacant. By 1991 Nancy J. Calder had moved in. Nancy worked as a clerk at Stong's Markets. Then in 1996 R. Birch was living at 260 East 17th. He reported that he had been living there for four years.

The photo of 260 East 17th Street was taken by Suzanne Wilson as part of her Year 2000 Photography Project, Your House/Our Home. 2000 photos of homes in the City of North Vancouver were photographed. Approximately 800 of these were accompanied by some history from the present or previous home owner sometimes including personal photographs.



In the month of June 2007 Suzanne Wilson celebrated the City of North Vancouver's 100 birthday by distributing to their home owners copies of 1000 photos taken for the Y2K Project. At this time it was discovered that the home photographed at 260 East 17th Street had been demolished and a new duplex had been completed.


Photo: Taken in the year 2000 by SW.


Reference: The Year 2000 project was donated by Suzanne and Alan Wilson to the North Vancouver Archives and is available for viewing.