Saturday Travel Feature
Main Guard Building in Palace Square 
Valletta, Malta

"The Main Guard building, which originally housed the palace guards, is located on the square opposite Grand Master’s Palace (see separate entry) and is a Classical-style building with Doric columns on the façade. After the Knights left, it was used by the British, partly as an Officer’s Mess; there are more than 300 wall paintings and numerous examples of regimental badges etc. The building is currently being used as the Libyan and the Italian Cultural Centres and hosts numerous events. The 17th century Hostel de Verdelin is on the northeast side of Palace Square." (See Link 1.)

Note the flag of malta, with its bands of red and white and the George Cross on the white, flying above the Main Guard Building.




The front of  the Main Guard Building is Palace Square  a place of entertainment for tourists. If you are lucky you will see the band in traditional national costumes marching through town. They are accompanied by a team highly athletic flag twirlers.  At the end of their parade the band and flag twirlers give a colorful performance in the plaza in front of The Court House. (See photo above.) Later, the square also features dancing fountains which are accompanied by music. On the right end of  the Main Guard Building is a free contemporary art gallery that welcomes tourists.

Photos: Taken in April 2010 in Valletta, Malta, by SW.
Link 1: http://www.amaltaattraction.com/malta-attractions/main-guard-building.htm  

Friday, June 4, 2010
Women Only

This little home at 208 East 24th Street is just below the Upper Levels Highway in the City of North Vancouver. It seems that it was  mostly owned by women and not many different women at that. There was Ella and Kathleen and Janet. The $1,375 house was built in 1941 by E.E. Jessup. In the 1943, 1945, 1950, and 1960 City Directories the owner continued to be reported as Ella E. Jessup, a widow.

In 1971 another widow was the owner of the house. Her name was Kathleen E. Hayes. The house was listed as "Vacant" in 1980. And in 1991 and 1995/96 the woman owning the house was Janet Rothwell. Janet was employed as a clerk at the Royal Bank of Canada.

The photo of 208 East 24th 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.

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 208 East 24th Street had been demolished and a new house 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.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

The End of the Road

This typical 1950's North Vancouver District house at 1902 Tatlow Avenue was built right in 1950. The owner was Don T. Cochrane and the construction price was $7,500. In 1955 and 1960 both Don T. and Margaret A. Cochrane are listed as owners. In 1955 Don Cochrane worked as a salesman at T. L. Crighton and Company, manufacturer's agents with offices at 509 Richards Street in Vancouver. In 1960 Don T. Cochrane is listed as proprietor of the company at that address. But now the name had been changed to D. T. Cochrane and Co.

1902 Tatlow Avenue is in the Pemberton area of the District of North Vancouver. It is the last house on the east side of the north end of the street before the paths that lead up the bluff to the green space called Bowser Trail which extends to the Pemberton Heights area. It is also only two blocks north of the commercial area of Marine Drive. The best of both worlds.

In 1965 Ken W. and Bonnie M. Curl were the owners of this idyllic spot. Ken Curl was an assistant department manager at Eaton's Department Store. In 1971 Chase F. and Daphne Chu lived at 1902 Tatlow Avenue. Chase was the proprietor at White Jade House which handled chinese arts and was located at 865 Denman Street in Vancouver. David Phillips was reported as living at 1902 Tatlow Avenue in 1980, 1991 and 1995. In 1991 Diane Forsyth is also reported at that address. In 1991 and 1995 David Phillips is listed as working as a carpenter and Diane Forsyth is listed as a technical writer.

The year 2010 seems to be the "end of the road" for the house at the end of the road, that house being at 1902 Tatlow Avenue.

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

Wednesday, June 2, 2010
"Life's a Holiday"

The old song goes "Life's a Holiday on Primrose Lane."  Well in the District of North Vancouver the lyrics change to "Life's a Holiday on Tall Tree Lane," and in particular 1096 Tall Tree Lane.

Tall Tree Lane sits off the ends of Sunset Boulevard and Pelly Road. 1096 Tall Tree Lane was built on this short street in 1959 for $15,000 by J. Kimbe. There is no listing of even the 1096 address in the 1960 City Directory. The last listing in that year was 1090. But in the 1965 City Directory W. Douglas and Daphne H. Crowe are listed as owners. W. Douglas was a manager at Midland-Osler Securities, Investment Dealers and Stock Brokers at 717 W. Pender in Vancouver.

This is a typical North Vancouver home with the large windows, open car port, and sundeck. The first floor large windows in both the front of the house and the back usually are those of a family room that opens with sliding glass doors into the backyard. There is a fireplace on the east wall of both the first floor family room and the second floor living room. The kitchen and bedrooms would be on the second floor as well. An open car port is all that is necessary in the Lower Mainland of B.C. because although there is an abundance of rain, there is little weather cold enough for snow. During the limited number of sunny days of life nestled against the North Shore Mountains sun decks are well used.

By 1970 Bernard A. and Janice de Verteuil were the owners of 1096 Tall Tree Lane. Bernard was a sales representative for Rutherford Thompson and McRae Ltd., Integrated Real Estate Services with a branch at 1295 Marine Drive, North Vancouver. Another de Verteuil, Frank, who lived at a different address was also a sales representative at that same company. The de Verteuil's continued to live on Tall Tree Lane until the present. That is at least 39 years. In 1980 and 1991 Bernard de Verteuil reported he was employed as a salesman at Canada Permanent that had a branch at 1604 Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver. In 1995 Bernard listed himself as a real estate agent.

Let's hope that "Life (was) a holiday on Tall Tree Lane" for the Verteuil's.

Thank you: To Arne Carlson for helping me remember the lyrics to the song "Life's a Holiday on Primrose Lane."
Building Permit: Applied for in May 2010.
Photo: Taken in May 2010 by SW.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Corner of Highlands and Wentworth

This house at 954 Wentworth Avenue faces south. It was built on a large corner lot on the east side of Highland Boulevard for $14,500. The year was 1955 and the owner was H. C. Etter. In 1960 Rev. Harold C. and Jean Etter are listed as the owners. Harold C. Etter was the general director of International Christian Leprosy Mission, also listed at the 954 Wentworth Avenue address. Mrs. Jean Etter was employed as a teacher in the North Vancouver School District. And Harold M. Etter, listed at the 954 Wentworth Avenue address as well, was listed as a student at UBC.

In 1971 Phillip J. and Beverly A. Dadson were the owners. The Dadson's remained the owners for at least 39 years, to the present time. In 1971 Phillip Dadson was listed as one of the barristers and solicitors at Shulman Tupper Jonsson Laxton Page and Shortt with offices at 1177 W. Hastings Street in Vancouver. In 1980 Phillip Dadson was a barrister and solicitor with an office at 125 East 13th Street in North Vancouver. In 1995 Phillip's law office was at 3070 Edgemont Blvd. and David R. Dodson was also listed in the City Directory as living at 954 Wentworth Avenue. Phillip J. Dodson continued to be listed at the 954 Wentworth Avenue address in the year 2000 and 2008/2010 phone books.

The house will be demolished and a new home will be built by Noort Homes.  It will have four bedrooms. It will also include a two bedroom suite. (See Link.)

Link: http://www.noorthomes.com/index.cfm?method=residential.list&cityid=FB3FE305-36CC-4E4B-B486-22A7CCBDE26D
Photo: Taken in May 2010 by SW.
Demolition Permit: Applied for in May 2010.

May 4, 2010

End of Month Index

May 2010

Arranged by Subject and Address Country, State/Province, City, Street: numerical East, alphabetical, numerical West.

CANADA

British Columbia

City of North Vancouver

701 East 5th Street, East 5th on Queensbury, Wednesday, May 5, 2010
420 East 8th Street, Ridgeway Elementary School, Seismic Upgrading,
                  Thursday, May 20, 2010.
264 East 11th Street, Typical 1950's, Thursday, May 6, 2010
152 East 12th Street, Typical Early 1900 Home, Friday, May 7, 2010
338 East 12th Street, White Horizontal Clapaboard, Monday, May 10, 2010
535 East 12th Street, Built by a Shipright, Tuesday, May 11, 2010
529 East 13th Street, They Liked to Celebrate Halloween, Wednesday,
                May 12, 2010
325 East 14th Street, Two for One, Thursday, May 13, 2010
424 East 14th Street, Christmas on 14th Street, Friday, May 14, 2010
744 East 15th Street, Buchanan 744, Monday, May 17, 2010
260 East 17th Street, Behind the Wrought Iron Fence, Tuesday, May 18, 2010
211 East 18th Street, Bay Window Shingled Home, Wednesday, May 19, 2010
261 East 19th Street, Historic 200 Block of East 19th Street,
                Friday, May 21, 2010
647 East 22nd Street, Victoria Day, House of Multipaned Windows,
                Monday, May 24, 2010
306 East 23rd Street, The Galon's formal Garden, Tuesday, May 25, 2010

North Vancouver District

913 Belmont Avenue, "Fifty-five Years in the Capilano Highlands",

              May 27, 2010.

2580 Colwood Dr., "The Hughes Home for 35 Years", Wednesday, May 26, 2010.

3570 Glenview Cr., "The Red Door", May 4, 2010.

912 Wavertree Road, "Wavertree in Spring", Monday, May 3, 2010.

ITALY

Rome

Trinita dei Monti, Rome, Happy Mother's Day, Sunday Church Feature

            Trinita dei Monti, Rome, Sunday, May 9, 2010

MONACO

Royal Palace, Monaco, Saturday Travel Feature, Saturyday, May 1, 2010

St. Nicholas Cathedral, Monaco, Sunday Church Feature, Sunday, May 2, 2010

Monte Carlo

Ni Box, Monte-Carlo, Saturday Travel Feature, The Ni Box, Monte-Carlo,

             Monaco, Saturday, May 8, 2010

SPAIN

Barcelona

Customs House, Columbus Monument, Barcelona, Saturday Travel Feature,

Customs and Columbus, Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, May 15, 2010

Sangrada Familia, Sunday Church Feature, Sagrada Failia, Barcelona, Spain,

              Sunday, May 16, 2010

Mallorca

Town Hall, Saturday Travel Feature, Ayuntamiento of Palma de Mallorca

            Mallorca, Spain, Saturday, May 22, 2010
Le Seu Cathedral, Palma, Mallorca, Sunday Church Feature, Se Seu Cathedral

            Palma, Mallorca Sunday, May 2010

TUNISIA

Tunisia

Old Town Tunis, Saturday Travel Feature, Narrow Streets of Tunis, Tunisia,

           May 29, 2010

Cathedral of St. Louis, Tunis/Carthage, Tunisia, Cathedral of St. Louis,

           Tunis/Carthage Tunisia, May 30, 2010

FEATURES

Saturday Travel Features

Royal Palace, Monaco, Saturday Travel Feature, Saturyday, May 1, 2010
Ni Box, Monte-Carlo, Saturday Travel Feature, The Ni Box, Monte-Carlo,
           Monaco, Saturday, May 8, 2010

Customs House, Columbus Monument, Barcelona, Saturday Travel Feature,
           Customs and Columbus, Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, May 15, 2010

Town Hall, Saturday Travel Feature, Ayuntamiento of Palma de Mallorca,
           Mallorca, Spain, Saturday, May 22, 2010
Old Town Tunis, Saturday Travel Feature, Narrow Streets of Tunis, Tunisia,
          May 29, 2010

Sunday Church Features

"Trinita dei Monti, Rome", Happy Mother's Day, Sunday Church Feature,
           May 9, 2010.

"St. Nicholas Cathedral", Monaco, Sunday Church Feature, Sunday, May 2, 2010.
"Le Seu Cathedral", Palma, Mallorca, Sunday Church Feature, Le Seu
           Cathedral,  Palma, Mallorca Sunday, May 2010.
Cathedral of St. Louis, Tunis/Carthage, Tunisia, "Cathedral of St. Louis",
          Tunis/Carthage Tunisia, May 30, 2010.

"Sangrada Familia", Sunday Church Feature, Sagrada Failia, Barcelona, Spain,
          May 16, 2010.


Photo: "Kitsilano Rainbow" taken in Vancouver B.C., November 2005 by SW.

Sunday Church Feature
Cathedral of St. Louis, Tunis/Carthage, Tunisia


"In the late 19th century, Hussein II Bey authorised the French consul-general to build a cathedral on the site of ancient Carthage, and to take all the land necessary for the project. The consul charged his son Jules, with this duty and having closely examined possible sites, he concluded that the chapel ought to be built on Byrsa Hill, in the centre of the Punic acropolis, where the temple of Aesculapius was once located.


"King Louis-Philippe approved the project. The architect chosen conceived a building of modest proportions that contained a mix of Gothic and Byzantine styles. In any case, he succeeded in giving it the look of a rich marabout similar to the royal chapel at Dreux. A cross, the only one standing at that time in Tunisia, topped the building. Descendants of crusaders' families, and companions of the sovereign, helped finance the construction.

"Built between 1884 and 1890, under the French protectorate, the cathedral acquired primacy for all of Africa when the title of primate of Africa was restored for the benefit of Cardinal Lavigerie, titular of the Archdioceses of Algiers and Carthage. The building was consecrated with great pomp in the presence of numerous dignitaries." Link 2

The cathedral of Saint Louis, which crowns the hill is now a cultural center. It is near the   national museum of Carthage which holds an impressive collection of Punic statues, steles and urns .  If you walk down to the bottom of the wide staircase on the other side of the parking lot in front of the cathedral parts of the walls of Carthage are exposed: you can touch this part of history that is 2000 years old.

Photo: Copy of Carthage post card taken in April 2010 by SW.
Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Louis_Cathedral,_Carthage
Link 2:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/curreyuk/3474429010/