Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Presbyterians and Black Sheep

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was given a permit to be built on this site at 121 East 12th Street  in 1933.  The architect was O. Ormrod.  The cost of the building was projected to be $2,500.  The first listing of the church in the City Directory was 1934. On  October 20, 1944 John Gibson and Dorothy Bissett were married there.  In 1950 the Pastor was the Rev. H. A. Berlis.

In 1955 it became a Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall and remained so  until it was run as the Black Sheep Restaurant from 1976 to 2000.  The site is now that of a twelve unit apartment complex.

West side of Black Sheep Restaurant

August 3, 1940 Gladys Christianson and William Downie Jr. (See Blog Post December 22, 2010.)  were married in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.  Their's was a wedding with a very special guest.

Around the time of the wedding William's best friend, Dave Richie, had been part of the crew on the ship Ontario Light.  The ship was in Perambucal, Brazil when he became ill.  The captain called for a doctor to come from shore, but by the time he arrived on board Dave had died from a kidney  ailment. 

The day of the wedding William did not yet know of the death of his friend.  But he did know that the last time he had seen him Dave had said, "I'll have to dance at your wedding."

Dave's mother, dad, sister Grace, and Dave's dog Punch lived at 17 or 18^th and Grand Boulevard. Punch was mostly spaniel, black with a bit of white. Before they left to go to the wedding the family put Punch in the basement. 

While Gladys and William were in front of the church at the alter they could hear a scuffling.  Then the pastor, Rev. McLean-Bell said, "What do we have here?"

Gladys and William Downie, 1940

Gladys and William looked down and there was Punch between them. 

Grace left the wedding and took the dog home, but Punch had done his best to help Dave keep his word. (From research at the North Vancouver Archives and interview with Gladys Downie for the Year 2000 Project, Your House/Our Home.)

Demolition: The building was demolished in the year 2000.
Note: An apartment building was constructed on this site.

Photo: Top photo of the Black Sheep Restaurant taken in 2000 by SW. 

               Wedding photo of Gladys and William Downie Jr.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Demolished and Raised

It seems that the house at 654 West 15th Street has been demolished at least to the bare bones. (See photo below.)  The front steps and roof entrance have been demolished and moved.  The house has been raised and the lower floor windows seem to indicate the possibility of a basement suite.  The old structural wood seems possibly part of the original home.  The City web site (See Link 1.) indicates that a  $310,000 alteration was approved in 2009.

December 2010

There is no listing in the Building Permit Book at the North Vancouver Archives of the 654 West 15th Street address.  There is also no listing in the 1945 City Directory.  However, in the 1950 issue Alfred E. and Katharine Mason are listed as the owners. They are also listed as the owners in 1960, 1971, and 1980.  In 1960 Alfred Mason was employed at Burrard Dry Dock. Alfred Mason was also employed there in 1971 when he was working as a shipwright. And by 1980 he was an assistant dock master at BDD.

In 1991 the owner of 654 West 15th Street was P. Townsley.  And in 1995 D. MacArthur reported that he had owned the house for 4 years. D.H. MacArthur was also listed at that address in the 1999/2000 North and West Vancouver Phone Directory.

The web site BChomez.com indicates there is a second home on the 654 West 15th Street property.  This new 1231 square foot  home located at the back of the lot is for sale for $579,000.  The two storey home has 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a double garage. (See Link 2.)

Photos: Top photo taken as part of the Year 2000 Photography Project, Your

                 House/Our Home by SW. Bottom photo taken in December 2010 by SW.

Link 1:http://www.cnv.org/c//DATA/2/88/2009%20DECEMBER%20ISSUED%20BUILDING%20PERMITS.PDF

Link 2:http://bchomez.com/654-west-15th-street-north-vancouver-hamilton-v857357-homes-for-sale-vancouver-real-estate/

Monday, December 20, 2010
At Least Since 1925

The two storey house at 211 East 18th Street was built by 1925. Although the address is not listed in the Building Permit Book, there is a listing in the 1925 City Directory.  In 1925 Johan and Alberta Johanson were listed at the 211 East 18th Street address.  Johan Johanson worked as a carpenter.  Alberta Johanson worked as a stenographer at Rankin and Chirell.  

In 1931 the owners were John and Jean Kirkness.  John C. Kirkness worked as a meat cutter.  Jean Kirkness worked as a clerk at Woodwards.  The owners in 1941 were John C. and Ann R. Kirkness.  John C. Kirkness was a ticket collector for the North Vancouver Ferries. Marion A. Kirkness, a B.C. Tel operator, was also a resident, as was Robert B. Kirkness, an apprentice at North Shore Press.

In 1950 the owners of 211 East 18th Street were Fredrick H. and Gertrude F. Smith.  Fredrick Smith was employed as an accountant at the Bank of Montreal.  By 1960 the owners were Alan G. and Dora Harrison.  Alan Harrison was employed as a packer at Eaton's Department Store.  In 1971  the owner was Johann M. Olson, a student.  By 1980 both Johann M. and Beryle E. Olson, retired, were the owners. 

By 1991 C. Wong was the owner of 211 East 18th Street.  C. Wong reported to the City Directory in 1995 that he had owned the property for five years.

211 East 18th Street was demolished in 2006 for $9,000 by D and S Bulldozing Ltd. (See Link.)

Demolition: 2006.
Photo: Black and white photo taken in 2006 by SW as part of the Demolition and Construction Project, Roll #69 Negative #20, available at the North Vancouver Archives.
Link: http://www.cnv.org/c//DATA/2/88/2006%20JUNE%20ISSUED%20BUILDING%20PERMITS%20REPORT.PDF

Sunday Church Feature
St. John the Divine Historic Church
Yale, B.C.

"Located at the southern entrance to the spectacular Fraser Canyon, the town of Yale is one of southwestern British Columbia's oldest and most historic communities, having been the bustling steamship navigation capital during the Gold Rush. (Link 1.)

"Founded as a Hudson's Bay fort in 1848, Yale rose to prominence as the inland terminus of the Fraser River sternwheelers and a waystation for those travelling up and down the Fraser River.


"Like many towns in British Columbia, Yale's fortunes followed that of the Gold Rush. In 1858 gold was discovered on a gravel bar just 2 miles south of Yale on the Fraser River. This place was soon known as Hill's Bar named after the prospector who found gold there. The discovery of gold caused a massive influx of people to pour into the region from all over the world, the majority of which came from the California Gold Rush of 1849. At the height of Gold Fever in 1858, this town boasted 20,000 residents.
 
"During the period of railway construction in the 1880's Yale became the main supply centre for all the work in the Cascade Division of British Columbia. The railway that now passes right through the middle of Yale in front of the museum and church is the Canadian Pacific Railway.
 
"Today the residents of Yale number only 200. Though the gold ran out, Yale continued prospering, as it still does today as a forestry and service centre."(See Link 4.)

"St. John the Divine Anglican Church in Yale, BC. built in 1863 is one of the oldest churches in the province. Much of the church is still original, including the bell tower steeple and the pews. The Church was associated with the All Hallows Anglican girls school, which operated in Yale from 1884 to 1920. The Church is now de-sanctified and designated as a Provincial Heritage Site.
An exhibition entitled "Enduring Threads" was prepared by Jennifer Iredale  in 2003.  It included   handmade liturgical textiles from St. John the Divine Church  dating back to the time of its origins in the 1860s.   The catalogue is available from the Yale Museum." (See Link 1.)

"While it is still not possible to attribute each piece from the Enduring Threads exhibit to its individual creators, it is now clear that they were made by First Nations and European students together with the nuns at All Hallows Anglican girls' school, which operated in Yale from 1884-1920. Three nuns from All Hallows convent  in Ditchingham, England (an order known for its fine ecclesiastical embroidery) arrived in British Columbia in 1884 to establish a school for First Nations girls from Lytton, Spuzzum and Yale, with a stun of money First Nations people had earned on construction of the railway, which they turned over to the Anglican church, says Ms. Iredale, quoting from newspaper articles of the time. A school for European girls was soon established next door at the request of settlers." (See Link 2.)

For original architectural plans and details see Link 3.

 Photo: Taken in Yale, B.C. in 2005 by SW.
Link1:http://www.maltwood.uvic.ca/cura/projects/liturgical_textiles/home.html
Link2:http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Housekeeping+task+turns+up+treasures.-a0112244682
Link 3:http://www.bcheritage.ca/yale/tour/drstjhn.htm
Link 4: http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=3380

Saturday Travel Feature
The Strip
Las Vegas, Nevada

Neon signs define Las Vegas, the entertainment capitol of the world.  And the most dense areas of neon signs in Las Vegas are the old and the new "strips".  The old strip is on Fremont Street with its Gold Nugget Casino, anchored by the  Plaza  Hotel and roofed by the light show "The Fremont Experience".   The new strip has now assumed the name and is just called "The Strip".  It is Las Vegas Boulevard.  Both old and new strips ooze neon.  But what happens to the neon signs when a casino is demolished or a sign is obsolete?  They go to the Neon Museum Boneyard, of course. 

"These are exciting times at the Neon Museum!

"First, we are happy to report that the Bow and Arrow, the Binion’s Horseshoe, and the Silver Slipper  have all been restored to their original condition and are now located on medians along Las Vegas Blvd. North. The restoration of these signs is just the first phase of what will be a series of signs restored for placement along the downtown Las Vegas Scenic Byway. It is a thrill to experience the signs as they were meant to be seen-floating lights dancing in the sky along the boulevard. Here’s to making the downtown Las Vegas skyline that much brighter!

"In other exciting news, construction on the city of Las Vegas’ Neon Boneyard Park began on February 8. The park will sit adjacent to the La Concha on Las Vegas Blvd. North and will complement the campus of the Neon Museum Boneyard and visitor’s center...The Neon Boneyard Park project signals the first phase of the development of the beautiful Neon Museum and Boneyard campus.

"Finally, we are pleased to report the acquisition of two new signs: the Apache Motel and the Queen of Hearts. The Queen of Hearts and The Apache Motel previously sat downtown on the site of the future City Hall. Anne Meyers’ Queen of Hearts opened in the mid-70s, but the building originally opened in 1964 as The Casbah with Moroccan-themed architecture. The Apache Motel is a fantastic example of classic roadside signage." (Link.) 

Photo: Taken in Las Vegas in 1998 by SW.
Link : http://www.neonmuseum.org/news.html

Friday, December 17, 2010
Grand Double Lot

The home on the double lot at 1420 Grand Boulevard was owned by the Millars for at least 58 years. The  white house stretches across the the expanse of the two lots.  It sits on the east side of the Boulevard.  Large  front windows with a view of Grand Boulevard are split by a wide brick fireplace.  Wrought iron work
decorates the front facade. 

John J. and Gladys I Millar owned the  home from 1950 to at least 1995/1996. At this time John Millar was the secretary-treasurer at Tahsis Co.  In 1960 John Millar was the secretary-treasurer at Gibson Brothers.  In 1971 John Millar was the sales manager for the Maui Lu Resort.  And in 1980 he reported that he was retired.  In 1991 only one owner was reported in the City Directory, and that was Mrs. Gladys Millar, retired.  Gladys I. Millar was not living alone in the house in 1995/1996, Susan Harvey was a resident.  Susan Harvey was an employee at Earl's Restaurant.

The web site of REMAX Realtors reports that the house was sold for $999,000.  The Rezoning Application Information Meeting Sign in front of  the house Grand Boulevard indicates  subdivision of land into 2 lots with a single unit with an accessory secondary suite to be built on each.


Photo: Taken in December 2010 by SW.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

St. Georges Duplex

The one storey duplex at  St. Georges Avenue sat on the corner with East 17th Street in the City of North Vancouver. Tall maple trees shaded the front and north sides of the home.  There is no listing for the duplex in either the Building Permit Book or the 1945 City Directory at the North Vancouver Archives.  However, by 1950  residents are listed at 1644 St. Georges Avenue which was the north end unit.  The residents were George W. and Lida A. Morgan.  George Morgan worked as a manufacturers agent at #24 441 Seymour St. in Vancouver.

In 1960 the north 1644 unit was reported "Vacant".  However the owner lived in the 1640 St. Georges Avenue which was the south unit. The owner was Mrs. A. L. Tussudowner.  She was the widow of G. B. Tussundowner.  In 1971 the 1644 residents were William J. and Mary E. Gannon.  William Gannon was an accountant at Canadian International Commercial.  At that time the residents at 1640 were Gemma J. and Peter Renardy.  Gemma Renardy was employed as a kitchen helper at Lion's Gate Hospital.  Peter Renardy was an iron worker at Riverside Iron Works.

In 1980 the 1664 resident was Mrs. Marg Trainer.  Marge Trainer was employed as a sales clerk at Grouse Mountain.  There was "No Return" to inquiries by the City Directory at the 1640 address.  Again in 1991 there was "No Return" to inquiries by the City Directory at the 1640 address.  However, the owners lived at 1644 St. Georges.  They were Jon and Christina Robertson.  Jon Robertson was the broadcaster for Post Haste.  Jon and Christina Robertson continued to own the 1644 duplex in 1995/1996, and Jon continued broadcasting for Post Haste.  The resident at the 1640 unit from 1991 to 1995/1996 was D. S. Kinar.

The photo of 1644 St. Georges Avenue 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.  This was true in the case of 1644 St. Georges Avenue.  

Scheila MahManish and Hossein Behrooziniz moved into 1644 St. Georges Avenue in 1998 and this is the story they told for the Year 2000 Photo Project, Your House/Our Home.

"Scheila MahManish, Hossein  Behrooziniz , and their two children, Bita and Houman, moved int 1644 St. Georges Avenue when they came from Tehran, Iran two years ago.  The whole family is musical."Hossein (See Link.) is a professional flutist.  His most recent CD is "Midnight Sun".  Although Scheila doesn't play she made a traditional Iranian string instrument from wood.  Brita has played the piano and now plays the trombone.  Houman sings with the B.C. Boy's Choir 2000.

"Scheila is an artist who makes beautiful pictures of flowers and people with wood inlay.  Bita attends Sutherland Secondary School and is a medal winner for the Chena Swim Club.  Houman attends school at Queensbury Elementary."

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 1644 St. Georges Avenue had been demolished and a new series of row houses had been built.

Photo: Taken for the Year 2000 Photography Project, Your House/Our Home by
               SW and available at the North Vancouver Archives.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=61480406890