Friday, October 8, 2010
Enter on the Side

Bush covers the front door entrance to the house at 2840 Capilano Road.  It also covers most of the rest of the house.  So the steps and porch entrance in the photo above is on the south side of the house facing the driveway. The house was built some time before 1952 as the Building Permit Book at the North Vancouver Archives reports that was the year a $2500 addition was constructed by R. Beachtold.  And the house was built by 1950 since that year's City Directory lists Rudolph and Bertha E. Berchtold as the owners then.  Rudolph Berchtold worked as a structural iron worker.  Notice that the name in the Building Permit Book was spelled "Beachtold" and in the City Directory is was spelled "Berchtold."  The Building Permit Book also lists a $500 garage was built in 1956.  Again by R. Beachtold.

The name continued to be spelled Berchtold is the 1955, 1960, and 1971 City Directories where it listed them as the owners in these years.  Rudolph Berchtold also continued to work as a structural iron worker, in the year 1971 for Kootenay Engineers.  In 1955 and 1960 Bertha Berchtold reported that she was employed as a stenographer for VLA Canada.

Address plate (rusty) and stone and cement block  yard entrance wall

In 1980 Phillippi Brunelle was a resident in the house at 2840 Capilano Road.  In 1991 and 1995 the owner of the house was L. Groendyk.  Artistic Gardening and Landscaping was also listed at the address.  L. Groendyk and Artistic Gardening and Landscaping reported that they had been at the address for over 9 years. Artistic Gardening and Landscaping was also listed in the year 1999/2000 North and West Phone Directory as being at 2840 Capilano Road.

In February 2010 The Ditton Group presented to the North Vancouver Council the proposal for a 14 unit multifamily building to be constructed on the sites of 2832 and 2840 Capilano Road.  It will be wheelchair accessible and have underground parking.  (See Link.)

Demolition: Permit applied for in September 2010.

Photo: Colored digital photos above taken in September 2010 by SW.
              Black and white photos taken in November 2009 as part of Demolition
             and Construction Project by SW on file at the North Vancouver Archives.
Link: http://www.dnv.org/upload/documents/Council_PH/phm090623.htm

Thursday, October 7, 2010
14 Town Houses

The house with the stone retaining wall along its driveway at 2832 Capilano Road is one of two homes that will be demolished to make way for 14 multifamily housing units.  The other home is to its north at 2840 Capilano Road. 

There is no listing of the 2832 Capilano Road address in the Building Permit Book at the North Vancouver Archives.  There is also no listing in the 1950 or 1955 City Directories.  The address is listed in the 1960 publication, but the report is "Vacant".    In 1971 Mrs. Dorothy E. Morrison, the widow of L. F. Morrison, was the resident in the house.  

By 1965 the Hebert family had bought the house.  Euclid J. and Dorothy reported that they were the owners in 1965.  Euclid Hebert was employed as a supervisor for the Canadian Government.  They also reported owning the house in 1980 and 1991.  During these years the Heberts were retired.  In 1995/1996 the residents could not be verified by the City Directory staff.

Mailbox and Address for 2832 Capilano Road.

Demolition: Permit applied for in 2009 and September 2010.

Photos: Color digital photos above taken in September 2010. 

            Black and  white negative of house photo taken in November 2010 on file
            at North Vancouver Archives.

Note: See tomorrow's blog post on 2840 Capilano Rd. for details on the
            proposed 14 multifamily housing units.



Wednesday, October 6, 2010
 On the Move

The house at 698 Mountain Highway is the mirror image of the house to the east at 690 Mountain Highway.  Only these two homes sit on the short street that is off Mountain Highway but retains its name.  It is one of the streets that is part of the planned Seylynn Village. (See Link.)  The other homes that will be demolished for project are on Bruce Street and the north side of Fern Street. Curiously there is no listing of the 698 Mountain Highway address in the Building Book at the North Vancouver Archives or the 1950, 1955, 1960, 1971, 1980, 1991, or 1995/1996 City Directories. 

However, Elaine Oakes, Records Management Clerk at the District of North Vancouver Hall gives this report.  "1631 East Keith Rd., the original house built in 1942 at this address was demolished 1986.  The lot was subdivided and 2 new houses built...  R and M Industrial Engineering Company Ltd. built both 2 storey, 5 bedroom houses with carports, now 690 and 698 Mountain Hwy.  Building Permit numbers 40026 and 40027 were issued March 17, 1986 for 698 and 690 Mountain Hwy.  and the occupancy permits were issued Sept. 25th and 24th 1986, respectively."

This is not the first time this area, previously known as Lynnmour, has undergone traumatic change.  In the 1960's  the Trans Canada Highway (also known as the Upper Levels Highway) cut a swath through Lynnmour and many homes were demolished.  There are remnants of the time before the Trans Canada Highway.  On the east side of the Trans Canada can be found a strip of: Keith Road and St. Denis Avenue (which was the original name for much of Mountain Highway). On June 6, 1996, the Keith Road on ramp to the Trans Canada Highway was closed and moved to the east end of Fern Street. (See Blog Post for October 6, 2010, Mirror Image.)



Planned Seylynn Village
          (See Link 1.)

698 Mountain Highway was in the upper left corner of the planned complex.



"The Seylynn Village North Vancouver property development calls for the construction of eight residential buildings that range from low rise buildings of four storeys to high-rise residences of 25 levels...With housing for singles to couples and from families to retirees, the North Vancouver Seylynn Village real estate

development proposal will include highly adaptable housing units, live/work townhouses, live/work apartments, mingle condominiums, affordable housing and smaller spaces...will be the site of 690 new Seylynn Village condos of which seventy will be dedicated to affordable rental units for low and middle income individuals...some of the largest benefits to the Seylynn Village community will be the Seylynn Hall and Seylynn Park upgrades and improvements..."(See Link.)

Thank you: To Elaine Oakes, Records Management Clerk, Administrative Services, District of North Vancouver for information on building of 690 and 698 Mountain Highway.
Demolition: Permit applied for September 2010.
Photos: Colored photo above taken in September 2010 by SW.
                Black and White negative on file at the North Vancouver Archives
                       taken in August 2008.
Note: See booklet at North Vancouver Archives on Seylynn Village available at
             the North Vancouver Archives in 2011.
Link: http://www.vancouver-real-estate-direct.com/blog/2009/06/proposed-masterplanned-seylynn-village.html



Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Mirror Images on Mountain Highway

This house with the distinctive double slanted roof has the address of 690 Mountain Highway.  However, only its west side faces Mountain Highway.  The entrance faces a short side street east off of Mountain Highway. The street is so short that there are only 2 houses on it.  The other house at 698 Mountain Highway is the mirror image of 690.  The back of these two homes face what used to be the Keith Road on ramp to the Upper Levels Highway. The on ramp has been changed to go from Keith Road, to Mountain Highway, to Fern Street, and left onto the Highway.

The original house on the 690 Mountain Highway lot was built in 1942. At this time its address was 1631 East Keith Road. (Elaine Oakes)   The residents in the 1955 City Directory were listed as Robert P.  and Betsy Edge.  Robert Edge was employed as a laborer at Lions Gate Lbr.  In 1960 the residents were R. Marcel and Ruth A. Beauchamps.  R. Marcel Beauchamps worked as a powderman for Pacific Blasting.  Ruth Beauchamps worked as an operator at Western Crests.  In 1971 William A. and Linda Hayden lived at 690 Mountain Highway.  William Hayden worked  as a laborer for the North Vancouver District.

The only actual owners verified by the 1955, 1960, 1971, and 1980 City Directories were Bernard and Liane Rohne in the 1980 publication.  Bero Metallic Design is mentioned next to their names.  Bero Metallic Design in the old Lynnmour United Church building at 664 Mountain Highway is listed from 1973 (as Metallic Design with the owner being Bernard Rohne) to 1998.  The name changed to Bero Metallic Design in 1975. The old church building was demolished in 2004.

In 1986 the 1942 house was demolished, the lot was subdivided and 2 new houses were built.  This is when the address was changed from 1631 Keith Road to 690 and 698 Mountain Highway. (Elaine Oakes.) 
The 1991 and 1996/1996 City Directories contain no listing of the address 690 Mountain Highway.

Thank you: To Elaine Oakes for information on the homes built on the 690 and 698 Mountain Highway lots.

Photos: Color photo above taken in Sept. 2010 by SW.
                 Black and White negative on file at the North Vancouver Archives
                          taken in August 2008.
Demolition: Permit for 690 Mountain Highway applied for in September 2010.
                Old Lynnmour United Church demolished in 2004.
                Original 1942 home at 1631 East Keith Rd. address demolished in 1986.
Note: See booklet on  Seylynn Village to be filed at the North Vancouver
                Archives in 2011.
            See Blog Post October 6, 2010, On the Move, for more information on this
                location and Seylynn Village. 

Monday, October 4, 2010
Down in the Gully

It looks like the house "down in the gully" at 2063 Parkside Lane was the home of Berna Mounce and possibly only Berna Mounce. There is no listing in the Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives or the 1950 or 1960 City Directories.  However, in 1971 Berna Mounce is listed as the owner, no other information is given.  In fact no other information seems to given until 1991 when her employment was as a custodian in the North Vancouver School District.  Burna Mounce continued to report that she owned the house in the 1995/1996 City Directory and is listed at the 2063 Parkside Lane address in the year 1999/2000 North and West Vancouver Phone Directory.  In the 2006/2007 North and West Vancouver Phone Directory her address is listed as 341 24th Street, North Vancouver.

"2063 Parkside Lane was formerly addressed as 208 Parkside Lane." (Elaine Oakes)  But even at that address there is no further information as to when it was built or who built it and lived in it until about 1971.  A further note from Elaine Oakes indicated that the house was 700 square feet  had a concrete foundation resting on bedrock. In 1996 the DNV building official declared "that the perimeter crawlspace framing walls were rotten with the entire structure being unstable.  Remedial work was done up to a minimum standard as required by the building code."

Real Estate ads on the internet give more information about the house "down in the gully".  REMAX reported that the house was offered for sale for $735,000.  Another site states that "plans are approved for a 2400 sq. ft. house" to be built.

Parkside Lane is a short street in the Deep Cove area of the District of North Vancouver.  Although it borders the east side of Deep Cove Park and ends at the water, to get there requires snaking around the park through the streets of Deep Cove. 

Thank you: To Elaine Oakes, Records Management Clerk, District of North Vancouver for information regarding building of the 2063 Parkside Lane home.
Demolition: Permit applied for in September 2010.
Photo: Taken in September 2010 by SW.

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.