Sunday, October 3, 2010
Sunday Church Feature
The Church on the Hill
North Lonsdale United Church
North Vancouver, B.C.

"North Lonsdale Church had its beginning in 1913 when a small group, of people met in a little store on Lonsdale Ave. at King’s Rd., with George Hamilton a student minister conducting the services.

Grocery store meeting place of congregation in 1913 at
south east corner of Lonsdale Ave. and East Kings Road.

"By 1915 a small church was built on East King Road, first called Bethel Methodist Church but the name was soon changed to North Lonsdale Methodist.

North Lonsdale United Church at 131 East Kings Rd.

First Evangelical Baptist Church, 131 East Kings Rd., 2010

" A Sunday School was with Mr. E.T. Bailey as superintendent. At the time of organic union of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches in 1925, this church became North Lonsdale United, its congregation augmented by those who transferred from St. Stephens Presbyterian. From 1914 to 1919, North Lonsdale was a joint pastoral charge with West Vancouver, from 1919 to 1934, with Lynn Valley, and from 1934 to 1957 with Capilano.

"The King’s Road church was bare, with plain wooded chairs for the congregation and a little pump organ. There was a small kitchen at the rear with a stove on which the ladies prepared hearty congregational dinners. This room was used also for meetings, as a Sunday School classroom, and as a dressing-room at Christmas concert time. Until 1948 North Lonsdale Church, received financial assistance from the Board of Home Missions, but from that time it was self-supporting, the minister’s salary and expenses of the manse being shared with Capilano.

"By 1948 it became evident that the little church was no longer adequate, and in 1950 two lots were purchased at the corner of Lonsdale Ave. and Osborne Rd. A building which was to serve eventually as a Christian Education Centre, but was to be used as church in the meantime, was erected largely by volunteer labour and was dedicated on December 13, 1953. The sanctuary furnished with dignity and good taste was truly appreciated, but it was soon realized that the building was not large enough, especially in view of the increasing Sunday School attendance. In 1956 a lot with house on it, adjoining the church property to the south was bought and Sunday School classes were held in the house as well as in the church building. In 1957 it was felt that the time had come for North Lonsdale Church to have a full-time minister, and Rev. Hislop Dickson who had been minister of the joint charge since 1946, was called to be our pastor. To meet our additional financial responsibilities, and to pay for the house and lot, a successful fund-raising drive was carried out under the chairmanship of Mr. T. D. Hammond.

"A church building was begun early in 1958, adjoining the one already in use and extending from Osborne Rd. south to the lane. When the house had to be torn down to make way for the new building some Sunday School classes were held in a vacant store on Lonsdale Ave. The Wells organization supervised a fund-raising campaign in the fall of 1958. The church building was completed and dedicated on May 15, 1960. With its bright and attractive sanctuary, comfortably-furnished lounge and commodious auditorium and well- planned kitchens it is indeed a contrast to the first little North Lonsdale Church." (3380 Lonsdale Avenue, south east corner of Lonsdale and Osborne.)(See Link 1.)

CGIT Girls Christine Robinson and Laura Wilson

1982

Another part of North Lonsdale United Church's history was CGIT, Canadian Girls in Training.  CGIT was a weekly group for girls age 12 to 17.  It was based on the scripture Luke 2:52: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and favor with God and man."  In the booklet The Story of North Lonsdale 1913 to 1990-The Church on the Hill  there is a photo of a CGIT group that met in 1933.  The booklet also mentions that in 1967 there were 90 girls and 10 leaders in the CGIT group at North Lonsdale United Church.  Smaller CGIT groups continued to meet throughout the 1980's.

Note: Suzanne Wilson was a CGIT leader at North Lonsdale United Church, the PR chairperson and later the President of the Provincial CGIT Board of B.C.  Both of her daughter, Amy and Laura, attended CGIT.

Reference: The Story of North Lonsdale 1913 to 1990-The Church on the Hill  is available at the North Vancouver Archives.

Photos: 1. Top photo of the 1960 North Lonsdale United Church building was
                     taken in September 2010 by SW. The part of the building that is on
                     the left, the east, is the 1953 church building.
                2. 1926 photo of the store, (available at the North Vancouver Archives
                     #5276), that was on the south east corner of  Lonsdale Ave. and 
                     Kings Road where the congregation first 
                     met. (Photo photoshopped.) First listing of the store in City
                     Directories is 1915, "J. Keene grocer and postmaster, Lonsdale Ave.
                     car, King, same".
               3. The church door with the pastor in front is the 1915 church at 131
                    East Kings Road. (See Reference.) It is still in use as the First
                    Evangelical Baptist Church. 
              4. The 1915 church at 131 East Kings now the First Evangelical Baptist
                   Church, photo taken September 2010 by SW.
              5. Photo taken of North Lonsdale United Church CGIT girls in 1982 by
                   Sharon Way.

Link 1:http://nluc.org/about-us/history-of-the-church/

Saturday, October 2, 2010
Saturday Special Feature
The End of the Line
North Vancouver, B.C.

"For almost 100 years there has been a store in Upper Lynn Valley.  It was there in 1910 when the Lynn Valley Street Car line was extended up the hill to the final terminus at the top of Lynn Valley Road, at Dempsey Road.  A small shack welcomed the passengers who travelled on the first streetcar that rattled its way through the snags of the denuded forest.

First "End of the Line" Store, shack at right

"The small shack probably only had a few items for sale, perhaps just local vegetables and flowers. It was soon replaced by a larger building.  In 1912 a sign painted on the wall proclaimed "Groceries and refreshments." Just the place, after taking a sightseeing trip on the streetcar from Lonsdale, or from Vancouver via the ferry, to sit and enjoy some refreshments before the return trip home.  Just the place for hikers to fill their packs with supplies before heading off across Lynn Creek to their cabins on the Mount Seymour range for the weekend.  Just the place for a tired worker heading home from the Shake Mill to call in for fresh milk or a loaf of bread... the streetcar stopped right the door of the store. It soon became known as "The store at the end of the car line."

1916 Hendricksen Store

"Frederick and Ellen Hendrichsen (sometimes spelt Hendricksen)were the first owners of this store.  Living quarters were at the back, and it must have been a tight squeeze, as they had three young children.  The "Great War" 1914-1918 began, and in 1916 Frederick, being German in birth was taken away to an internment camp as an "enemy alien."  Ellen struggled on with the operation of the store, and the raising of the children.  She must have been a very capable and determined woman.  Frederick was released from the camp in Vernon in 1919, but  it was Ellen who continued to operate the store.  Time passed and in 1926 a license to operate a Post Office was granted to Mrs. Ellen Walker Hendrichsen, with Mrs. Hossack as her assistant.  Alterations had to be made to incorporate the Post Office into the store.  It was named "Upper Lynn Sub-Post, Office." Local residents would call in daily for their mail and newspapers.  At Christmas time the Post Office corner overflowed with parcels, both incoming and outgoing.  What a place to gather for a bit of local gossip!

1920 Hendricksen's Confectionery and Tea Room

"By this time,  house had been built next door, with Mrs. Hendrichsen listed as owner, so perhaps the family had more roomy living quarters.  Frederick seems to have disappeared from the scene.  The children all went to school in Lynn Valley, and several of our pioneer residents knew them and played with them.  The store continued to thrive, and to serve the local public.  In 1941 a building permit was taken out for alterations to be done at the cost of $300.00.  There have always been living quarters at the back and now upstairs, throughout the years.

"Perhaps Ellen was sprucing up the store ready for sale.  She remained the owner and operator until the mid 1940's, when she left the area.  She died in 1960 at the age of 74.  I wonder if she ever took a ride on the streetcar to visit her old home?

"New owners came and went.  The appearance of the store, both inside and out, changed many times over the years, but it was always open until late, supplying customers with many items besides groceries, a real convenience store.  It was officially "Upper Lynn Grocery," and also "Upper Lynn Market."  Some names of owners that might be recognized-Dyson, Willets, Battrum, Ryttersgard, Howarth, and Mrs. Gwen martin.  The longest stay was of 24 years, when Bill and Fun Chow ran the store.  They raised their five daughters there.  As each girl grew old enough, she learned to serve in the store.  The chow family were missed when they left.  The store never seemed the same to local residents, although it still supplied a good selection of groceries, and, of course, candies.

"The streetcar had clattered its way up the hill for the last time in 1947, and the buses took over.  The Post Office closed down soon after house-to-house mail delivery began, and was sorely missed.  The wire-backed ice cream parlour style chairs had long gone.  So many changes, and now in the summer of 2006, the biggest one of all!

"New owner, Connie Fay, a resident of Lynn Valley in her childhood, has taken over, and has given the store a complete make-over, inside and out, and has brought the neighbourhood into the modern age!  But the origins of the store have not been forgotten.  The windows reflect the history of this spot, and the forest, that is still so close.  Just across the street is the entrance road into Lynn Headwaters Park, and the Lynn Canyon trails.  Inside the store there is a wonderful array of gift items, local art work, specialty food, tee-shirts that say you have been to the end of the line, and also, as always the basic grocery items and candy bars that still make this a convenience store. 

"So, take a trip from Lonsdale Quay on the 228 Lynn Valley bus, and stay aboard until you reach the end of the line. (4193 Lynn Valley Road) You will know it by the lovely sign that hangs above the store across the street from the bus stop.  The store that has been there, in one form or another, for almost the past 100 years.  Go inside and browse around, have an ice cream cone or a cup of coffee, and think back over the years of local history connected to this spot.

"All good wishes to Connie Fay, her family and her friends and neighbours.  We will look forward to the year 2010 when 'the store at the end of the line' celebrates its Centennial." (See Reference and Thank You to author Muriel Van Laar.)

Reference and Thank You: To author Muriel Van Laar's for her article The Store At The End of The Line, North Shore Historical Newsletter Vol. 27, No. .09, 2006, available at the North Vancouver Archives.

Photos: 1. Top photo taken in September 2010 by SW.
                 2. First "End of the Line" shack, North Vancouver Archives #2949.
                 3. 1916 Hendricksen's Store, North Vancouver Archives #8634.

                 4. 1920 Hendricksen's Confectionery and Tea Room, North Vancouver

                      Archives #6566.

Friday, October 1, 2010
A Pool on Tall Tree Lane

Sunset Boulevard, Pelly Road, Carolyn Drive,  Lodge Road, and Grace Crescent all lead to the Tall Tree Lane cul de sac in the Canyon Heights area of the District of North Vancouver.  And there at 1072 Tall Tree Lane the Novak's and Rose's lived in their one storey home amid a nest of over a dozen tall cedar trees with a swimming pool in the backyard.

The 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom ranch style home on a 75 by 175 foot lot with a view of Grouse Mountain and in walking distance from both Handsworth Secondary School and Edgemont Village was listed for sale for $1,198,000.  (See Link 1.) In September of 2010 a Permit for Demolition was applied for.  Demolition has been started and a new home will be built by Noort Homes.

"A Building Permit for the construction of a house and  carport at 1072 Tall Tree Lane  was issued to Bary Construction in 1954.  In 1961 a Building Permit was issued to enclose the existing carport and add a new carport." (Elaine Oakes.) In the 1960 and 1965 City Directory the owners were listed as Anton T. and Dorothy J. Novak.  Anton Novak was employed as a manager of Continental Marble during these years. 

The 1971, 1980, 1991, and 1995/1996 City Directories all report the owners as Ernest G. and Jean A. Rose.  In 1971 Earnest Rose was employed as the vice president of engineering at BCTV Broadcasting Systems.  In 1980 he was the vice president of BCTV Broadcasting.  And in 1991 Earnest Rose reported that he was retired.  Ernie Rose was listed in the 2008/2010 North and West Vancouver Phone Directory to still be living at 1072 Tall Tree Lane.  That is 40 years on Tall Tree Lane for the Rose family in a home with a yard true to the name of the street, with the over a dozen tall cedar trees. 

"ERNIE ROSE, former VP Engineering at CHAN-TV/8 Vancouver (later BCTV and now Global) died Friday at age 92.  He served as announcer/technician then Chief Engineer at CKMO Vancouver from 1934-40, operator/technician then assistant technical director at CBC Vancouver during the 1940-50s and oversaw construction of CHAN-TV in the late 1950s.  He was the recipient of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Engineering Award in 1973 and the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters Broadcaster of the Year Award in 1980.  He retired as BCTV Vice President of Engineering in 1981." (See Link 2.)


Thank you: To Elaine Oakes, Records Management Clerk at the District of North Vancouver for her research on Demolition Permits.
Demolition: Permit applied for to North Vancouver District in September 2010.
Photo: Taken in September 2010 by SW.  For more photos see Link.
Link1:  http://www.soprovich.com/home1937.html
Link 2:http://fyimusic.ca/industry-news/obituaries/obituaries-mike-halleran-ernie-rose

END OF MONTH INDEX 

SEPTEMBER 2010

Arranged by Subject and Address, Country, State/Province, City, Street,

 East, Alphabetical, West

CANADA

British Columbia

City of North Vancouver

332 East 4th Street, A Week of Black and White, 1928 Canary Yellow, Friday

            September 10, 2010.

454 West 6th Street, A Week of Black and White, Cement on West 6th,

            Wednesday, September 8, 2010.

332 East 13th Street, North Shore Hospice, Friday, September 17, 2010.
419 East 15th Street, Typical 1950's, Thursday, September 23, 2010.

741 West 20th Street, West of Fell, September 21, 2010.

North Vancouver District

761 East 12th Street, "Oliver, Smith, Forbes, Wetzler", Monday, Sept. 20, 2010.

910 Beaumount Dr., "A Week of Black and Whie, Capilano Highland's Stucco",

            Tuesday, September 7, 2010.
1098 Canyon Blvd., "Blue at the Mountain's Base", Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010.
1640 Dempsey Road, "Shake Clad House on Dempsey", Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010.

925 Glenora Avenue, "Glenora in the Capilano Highlands", Wednesday,

            September 15, 2010.
954 Hampshire Road, "The Street It Is A Changing", Monday, Sept. 27, 2010.

4142 Mount Seymour Parkway, "A Week of Black and White, Since 1946 in Deep

            Cove", Monday, September 6, 2010.

872 Orwell Street, "Orwell Street, Where Are You?", Tues., September 14, 2010.

2568 and 2579 Panorama Dr., "Under the Green Tarp", Wed., Sept. 1, 2010.
2901 Paisley Road, "The Swing in the Tree", Friday, September 24, 2010.
887 Premier Street, "On the Way to the Dump", Monday, September 13, 2010.
452 Tempe Crescent, "53 Years on Temp Crescent", Wednesday,
            September 22, 2010.
4375 Underwood Ave., "A Week of Black and White, Westlake and Marshall",
            Thursday, September 9, 2010.
1152 Wellington Drive, "Lynn Valley Wellington", Thursday, Sep. 2, 2010.
739 Westmoreland Crescent, "A View of the Word", Friday, September 3, 2010.

UNITED STATES

Washington

Concrete, Washington, Saturday Travel Feature, Concrete Grade School,

            Concrete, Washington, Saturday, September 18, 2010.

Concrete, Washington, Sunday Church Feature, Mount Baker Presbyterian

           Church, Concrete, Washington, Sunday, September 19, 2010.
South 1st Street, Rockford, Washington, Saturday Travel Feature, 1916 Pump
           House, Rockford, Washington, Saturday, September 25, 2010.
217 South 1st St., Rockford, Washington, Sunday Church Feature, Rockford
          United Methodist Church, Sunday, September 26, 2010.

Wisconsin

720 Bay Beach Road, Saturday Travel Feature,  Heat Your Home With Corn,

           Green Bay, Wisconsin

413 St. John's St., Sunday Church Feature, St. John's the Evangelist Catholic

          Church, Green Bay, Wisc.

Tobacnoir and Oviate Streets, Special Birthday Feature, Happy Birthday

          Suzanne, The Frank Compound, Kaukauna, Wisconsin.

Lakefront, Milwaukee, Saturday Travel Feature, Milwaukee Art Museum by

          Calatrava, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 11, 2010.

1023 Russell Avenue, Sunday Church Feature, Immaculate Conception

          Catholic Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

FEATURES

Saturday Travel Features

Concrete, Washington, Saturday Travel Feature, Concrete Grade School,

            Concrete, Washington, Saturday, September 18, 2010.
South 1st Street, Rockford, Washington, Saturday Travel Feature, 1916 Pump
           House, Rickford, Washington, Saturday, September 25, 2010.

720 Bay Beach Road, Saturday Travel Feature,  Heat Your Home With Corn,

           Green Bay, Wisconsin, September 4, 2010.

Lakefront, Milwaukee, Saturday Travel Feature, Milwaukee Art Museum by

          Calatrava, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 11, 2010.

Sunday Church Features

Concrete, Washington, Sunday Church Feature, Mount Baker Presbyterian

           Church, Concrete, Washington, Sunday, September 19, 2010.
217 South 1st St., Rockford, Washington, Sunday Church Feature, Rockford
          United Methodist Church, Sunday, September 26, 2010.

413 St. John's St., Sunday Church Feature, St. John's the Evangelist Catholic

          Church, Green Bay, Wisc. September 5, 2010.

1023 Russell Avenue, Sunday Church Feature, Immaculate Conception

          Catholic Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 12, 2010.



Photo: False Creek Aquabus, Vancouver, B.C. taken in 2006 by SW.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Blue at the Mountain's Base

This blue and white home at 1098 Canyon Boulevard is typical of the homes built in the District of North Vancouver in the 1960's.  The features include the lower level garage cut into the front slope of the yard, the living area on the upper floor, a double opening front door, and a fireplace in the living room.
The house at 1098 Canyon Boulevard is in the block of Capilano Road just two blocks south of the Cleveland Dam and Park. 

"The original building permit for the construction of a one storey single-family dwelling and carport for the property at 1098 Canyon Blvd. was issued in June of 1965." (Elaine Oakes.) In  1971 owners were Stanley W. and Mildred I Mac Pherson.  Stanley worked as a salesman at Westgate Supplies.

In the mid 1980's Alan K. and Barbara Holton became the owners of 1098 Canyon Boulevard.  They were also the owners in 1995.  Alan Holton reported in both the 1991 and 1995/1996 City Directories that he was a Toronto Dominion Bank bank manager.   Alan Holton was also listed in the year 2000 North and West Phone Directory as still living at 1098 Canyon Boulevard.

In April 2002, a subdivision application was received, to create two lots, demolish the existing single-family residence and construct two new houses each with basement and an attached single garage.  The subdivision conditions letter for this application expired April 2003, and no request was made for an extension.  A building permit was issued in 2003 for an addition to the house, a secondary suite and detached garage.  A subsequent subdivision application has been received in May of this year,2010. (Elaine Oakes)

Thank you: To Elaine Oakes, Records Management Clerk at the District of North Vancouver for her research on Demolition Permits.
Demolition: Permit applied for  from the District of North Vancouver in Sept. 2010.
Photo: Taken in September of 2010 by SW.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Shake Clad House on Dempsey

The two storey shake clad house at 1640 Dempsey Road was built for $1500 in 1938 by J. Greenwood.  The is no listing of the 1640 Dempsey Road address in the 1940 City Directory.  However, the house is indicated by the notation "ns Greenwood J." as the owner.  In the 1945 City Directory the address is listed, and J. Greenwood is still recorded as living there. 

However, by 1948 the owner was Mrs. K. A. Vaughan, the widow of E. W. Vaughan.   In 1940 Edgar and Cathy A. Vaughan had been the owners of a home on the north side of the 1200 Mill Street in North Vancouver.  Edgar Vaughan was a cartoonist.  Mill Street is two streets north of Dempsey.  So Mrs. Vaughan's move from Mill Street to Dempsey after the death of her husband, was not a big one.  Mrs. Vaughan continued to own the house at 1640 Dempsey Rd. at least until 1971.  Over the years her name was listed in the City Directories as Mrs. K. A. Vaughan, Cath A. Vaughan and in 1971 as Molly Vaughan.

In 1981 Gunter Karl Essinger was the owner of the 1640 Dempsey Road house.  Gunter Essinger worked as a maintenance man at Delta Smelting and Refining. In 1991 the City Directory reported that Ralph, Karen, and Patrick Essinger as well as Pfiel Jens were all residents of the house.  Ralph and Patrick Essinger were both employees at the Spaghetti Factory.  Karen Essinger's employment was Scandal's Bar and Grill Restaurant.  In the 1995/1996 City Directory Ralph and Patrick Essinger were reported as living in the house.  Other residents at least from 1991 to 1995 were Harold and Marie Scott.  In 1995 Ralph and Patrick Essinger were still working at the Spaghetti Factory.  Although, Karen was not listed as living at 1640 Dempsey Road, her employment was reported as president of My Place Cafe.  Ralph Essinger was listed in the 2006/2007 North and West Vancouver Phone Directory as still living at the 1640 Dempsey Road address at that time.

Patrick Essinger adds," My father Gunther Karl Essinger  passed away in the house in 1989.  The house was left to his sons Ralph Peter Essinger and Patrick Carsten Essinger. The house had a renovation to the basement to make it livable.  Both brothers lived in and out of the basement for a few years.  Ralph married S. Essinger and lived in the house til early 2000. They had one daughter S. N. Essinger.  Patrick Essinger took sole possession of the house in 2004.  Patrick a City of Vancouver Firefighter and his wife J. A. Essinger a Registered Nurse at Lions Gate Hospital lived in the house until 2010 with their daughter N. G. Essinger. " They will be  demolishing the existing home and building a new heritage style home.

Dempsey Road and Mill Street are in the northern part of the Lynn Valley known as Upper Lynn.  This is at the base of the North Shore Mountains where the hikers park before heading up the trails.  The house at 1640 Dempsey Road is also just up the street from Kilmer Park.


Thank you: To Patrick Essinger for his contribution to the history of the home at 1640 Dempsey Road.
Demolition: Permit applied for to the North Vancouver District in September of 2010.
Photo: Taken in September of 2010 by SW. (Actual house color is a brown tone.)

Monday, September 27, 2010
The Street, It Is A Changing

The 900 block of Hampshire Road, nestled at the base of the North Shore Mountains (See photo above,) is changing from a street of cosy 1950's one storey ranch style homes to a street of new large two storey palatial homes.  The house at 954 Hampshire Road is one of the 1950's homes that will be demolished to make way for a new larger home.  It is following what has already happened to several of the homes on this street.

The three bedroom rancher with a carport at 954 Hampshire Rd. was built in 1954 for $14,000 by T. Hall.  The house sits on a level 80 by 100 foot lot with views of Grouse Mountain. It features a stone planter box across the front exterior of the house and a fireplace with a broad chimney in the living room. It appears to have originally had a garage at the east end of the house. The garage area has since been filled in to provide another room.  It also has was given its own door to the exterior.  In January of 2010 the house at 954 Hampshire Rd. was listed for sale for $961,000.

There is no entry in the 1955 City Directory for the house at 954 Hampshire Rd.  But H. Roberts is listed as the owner in the 1960 and 1965 publications.  Hesketh and Ruth H. Roberts also owned the house in 1971.  During all these years Hesketh was employed as a surveyor for Vancouver City. "Another building permit was issued in December 1974, for an addition."(Elaine Oakes.) Perhaps this was the filled in garage area.  In 1980 the owners were Michael P. and Kirsten S. Smith. Michael P. Smith was an employee of the Royal Bank of Canada.

In the 1991, 1995/1996 City Directories and the year 1999/2000 and 2006/2007 North and West Vancouver Phone Directories David Faulkner is listed as living at 954 Hampshire Rd.  David D. and Phyllis Faulkner were the owners during this time and had been since the mid 1980's.  David Faulkner was employed as a salesman at Vancouver Auto and Phyllis Faulkner was a counselor employed by  the North Vancouver School Board.  In 1995 Peter Faulkner, a student, was also living in the house.

The year 2010 REMAX Real Estate ad said, "Move in and enjoy it (the house) as it is."  Since a Demolition Permit was applied for in September 2010, it looks like this suggestion was not taken.


Thank you: To Elaine Oakes, Records Management Clerk at the District of North Vancouver for her research on Demolition Permits.
Demolition: Permit applied for in September 2010.
Photo: Taken in September 2010 by SW.