Sunday Church Feature

Las Vegas, Nevada

Wedding Capital of the World

"Las Vegas may be best known for its casinos and showgirls, but it is also the wedding capital of the world." According to Visit Las Vegas, the official website of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, there are more than 122,000 marriage licenses issued each year.  Wedding Chapels are big business in Las Vegas.  You can get married for as little as $40 at Las Vegas Garden of Love or as much as $20,000 at The Bellagio.  Additional fees include the marriage license, which you have to secure at the Clark County Courthouse. It costs $55. 

You don't even have to go into a wedding chapel to get married.  You can have the ceremony conducted at a drive-thru window and receive your vows curb-side.  Of course, you can be married by an Elvis impersonator/officiate, have another Elvis impersonator escort you down the aisle, while a third Elvis  sings in the background.

The wedding chapel The Little Chapel of Flowers, in the photo above, is at 1717 Las Vegas Boulevard just north of the The Stratosphere Casino Hotel.  As the sign says you can have your wedding "live on the internet FREE" so the whole world can watch.  There are three  chapels for the actual ceremony: The Victorian Chapel, The Magnolia Chapel, and the La Capella Chapel.  Then you can take photos outside: on the Veranda, on the kissing bridge, under the ivy arch, in the Glass Garden, in the gazebo, in front of the waterfall and in font of the fountains.  The cost of the weddings here range from "$195 to $3,495". (See Link 1.) One of the famous couples "married here was the Baywatch beauty Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman ." (See Link 2.)

Link1:http://www.littlechapel.com/
Link2: http://www.lovetripper.com/las-vegas-weddings/192006-littlechapelflowers.html
Photo: Taken in 2005 from the Observation Deck of  The Stratosphere Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, by SW.

Saturday Travel Feature
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, and Spades of Golf

"Golf in Las Vegas, here is your best bet! Designed by acclaimed golf course architect Arthur Hills, The Legacy Golf Club is an 18-hole, desert jewel highlighted by manicured playing conditions, multi-tiered fairways and large undulating greens.



"Stretching 7,233 yards from the professional tees, this memorable layout is a strong challenge for the scratch player, yet also accommodates the novice with well-spaced tee boxes and generous landing areas. And speaking of tee boxes, the 10th hole at The Legacy may be the most recognizable in all of Las Vegas.


"Each tee box is in the shape of playing cards suits: Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades. Also notorious at this premier facility, is the "Devil's Triangle." Holes 11, 12, and 13 make for a devilish trio of exciting challenges. The Legacy has become synonymous in Las Vegas for providing country club-style services and amenities. In fact, The Legacy Golf Club was selected as one of the "Top 10 Courses You Can Play" in Nevada, by Golf Digest.


"A visit to the Legacy Golf Club Restaurant will complete your golfing experience. The Restaurant offers a wide variety of specialty and deli sandwiches, as well as made-from-scratch soups and daily specials. For those who crave a more local flavor, guests can choose from several Southwestern Culinary Classics.



"The Legacy Golf Club Restaurant is open daily for breakfast and lunch and offers a comfortable atmosphere complete with a panoramic view of the golf course. Enjoy a spectacular Sunrise Mountain view while relaxing indoors or from our outdoor covered patio." (Link.)


Photo: Taken in Las Vegas, Nevada in  2005 by SW. (The actually  address of the Legacy Golf Course is 130 Par Excellence Dr., Henderson, Nevada.)


Link:http://www.thelegacygc.com/sites/courses/custom.asp?id=944&page=53440

Friday, June 25, 2010
North Shore Sash House

"Reginald Davis - Established North Shore Sash and Door Co. North Vancouver early 1940s and Allied Woodworks as manufacturing arm; married to Remmette Davis; commentator, editor and technician for Stairway to Stardom Sunday evenings CKWX 1947-early 1950s and CJOR Vancouver early 1950s-58. Died 1995." ("Vancouver Broadcasters" website.)

That is the history of North Shore Sash who was the builder of the 1947 house at 1720 Grand Boulevard. And the owner of the house in 1950 was no other than Reginald Davis himself and his wife Chrissie R. (Remmette) Davis. Reginald Davis reported to the City Directory that he was the president of North Shore Sash.

By 1960 Thomas H. and Lillian Sterling were the owners. Thomas Sterling was a sales representative for Western Canada Imports. In 1971 Dallas M. and Jeanette Boyd owned the house. Dallas Boyd was the president of Advance Carpet Cleaners which reported 1720 Grand Blvd. as its business address. Then by 1980 John and Helen Eickhoff had bought the house. In 1991 John reported to the City Directory that he was an employee of the B. C. Highway Patrol. The Eickhoff family continued to live in the house until 2006, the year it was demolished. Bruce and J. C. Eickhoff were listed in the 1999/2000 North and West Vancouver Phone Directory. J. C. Eickhoff was listed as living at 1720 Grand Boulevard in the year 2006/2007 issue.

The above photo was taken as part of Suzanne Wilson's 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 1720 Grand Boulevard had been demolished and two homes had been built on the property by Noort Homes.


Demolition: Permit applied for in 2006.
Photo: Taken in the year 2000 by SW. Black and white negative and contact sheet print available on Roll #64 of the Demolition and Construction Project at the North Vancouver Archives.
Reference: See Blog Post June 23 for more information on Grand Boulevard.
Reference: See Blog Post June 21 for more information on the Demolition and Construction Project by SW.

Thursday, June 24, 2010
Burdett's on the Boulevard

This house with its bright red maple tree and driveway leading to the front door sat on the east side of Grand Boulevard at 1136. There is no entry in the Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives as to when it was built. However, building permits are only listed in the book up to 1947. In 1950 there is also no entry in the City Directory. However in 1960 there is an entry and it is for the Burdett's. All listing to the present in both the City Directories and the North Vancouver phone books continue to be for the Burdett's.

In 1960 Richard F. and Audrey L. Burdett were recorded as the owners of the long house that stretched across the lot at 1136 Grand Boulevard. Richard Burdett was the president of Burdett Construction building contractors. Burdett Construction was also listed as a resident of 1136 Grand Boulevard. Richard F. and Audrey L. Burdett and Burdett Construction were listed as being at 1136 in 1971 and 1980. In 1980 Audrey was  employed as the secretary for Burdett Construction. In 1991 and 1995 three Burdett's were reported as living in the house: Audrey-the owner, and Michael A. and Christine. In 1991 Michael A. was working as a carpenter for Burdett Construction. The 2008/2010 North Vancouver phone book lists the address of Michael Burdett as 1136 Grand Boulevard.

1136 Grand Boulevard was one of the homes included in Suzanne Wilson's Year 2000 Photography Project, Your House/Our Home. 2000 photos of homes in the City of North Vancouver were photographed. Because of the prominence of Grand Boulevard in the City of North Vancouver all of the homes on Grand Boulevard were photographed for the Y2K Project.

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 1136 Grand Boulevard had been demolished and two new homes had been built.

Photo: Taken in the year 2000 by SW. Black and white negative and contact sheet print available on Roll #48 of the Demolition and Construction Project at the North Vancouver Archives.
Demolition: Permit applied for in 2004.
Reference: See June 23rd, 2010 Blog Post for more information on Grand Boulevard.
Reference: See Blog Post June 21 for more information on Demolition and Construction Project by SW.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Grand Boulevard

Grand Boulevard is in the eastern part of the City of North Vancouver. It extends from East Keith Road to East 19th Street, almost a mile in length and 346 feet wide. Clearing for the Boulevard and lots for homes on both the east and west sides began in 1906. "According to its developers, the North Vancouver Land and Improvement Company, the Grand Boulevard would be to North Vancouver "what the Champs Elysees is to Paris..." (See Reference 1.) Stately homes fronting the Boulevard and with views of Burrard Inlet and the city of Vancouver started to be built in 1910 and can be seen in the "City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994".(Reference 4.) In 1907 a street car line ran up the center of the Boulevard to East 19th Street. And in 1920 smaller infill homes began to be built.

837 Grand Boulevard was one of the smaller infill homes, but the date it was built was not listed in the Building Permit Book at the North Vancouver Archives. However, this book only records building permits through 1947. The owners in 1950 were Thomas C. W. and Gertrude Fox. Thomas C. W. Fox was employed as a lino operator at the North Shore Press. Thomas C. Fox, a student, was also listed as a resident. Thomas C. W. and Gertrude Fox continued to own the house until 1991. Thomas C. W. worked as a printer at Pacific Press in 1960 and in 1971 reported that he was retired. In the 1995/96 City Directory Michael D. and Brenda Reid reported that they had owned the house for four years.

The photo of 837 Grand Boulevard 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 837 Grand Boulevard had been demolished and a stately new home had been built.


Demolition: Permit applied for in 2004.

Photo: Taken in the year 2000 by SW. Black and white negative and contact sheet print available on Roll #45 of the Demolition and Construction Project at the North Vancouver Archives.
Reference 1: "The Ambitious City, a History of the City of North Vancouver" by Warren Sommer, page 93.
Reference 2: See Blog Post June 23 for more information on Grand Boulevard.
Reference 3: See Blog Post June 21 for more information on Demolition and Construction Project by SW.
Reference 4: "City of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory 1994" available at the City of North Vancouver library and the North Vancouver Archives.
Reference 5: The Year 2000 project was donated by Suzanne and Alan Wilson to the North Vancouver Archives and is available for viewing.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010
New in 1950

This small house on the east side of Mountain Highway was built in 1949 for $4,500 by M. Condliff. In the 1950 City Directory no one is named as the owner of 4380 Mountain Highway but it is listed as a "New House". 4380 is near the top of Mountain Hwy., the route that used to be the foot path leading to the Grouse Mountain ski trails.

In 1960 the owner is listed as Sid C. Rockey, a pressman at Pacific Press. In 1971 the owners are recorded as Sidney C. and Nellie I. K. Rockey. Sidney Rockey continued to work as a pressman at Pacific Press. However, in 1980,  1991, and 1995 Sydney and Nellie Rockey reported to the City Directory that they were retired.

This black and white photo is another in the Demolition and Construction collection by Suzanne Wilson. The negative and contact sheet are available at the North Vancouver. (See Blog Post June 21, 2010.)

Demolition: Permit applied for in 2006 from the District of North Vancouver.
Photo: Digital photo taken of Roll #69 contact sheet taken in April of 2006.

Monday, June 21, 2010
Black and White
Dowsley Court

The permanent collection of photographs at the North Vancouver Archives is preserved in black and white photos, negatives, and slides. There are over 45,000 of these available for viewing and research. Copies can be obtained of most. One part of the collection is the 2001 to 2010 Demolition and Construction project by Suzanne Wilson.There are over 3000 black and white photos recorded on negatives and contact sheets that have been taken since 2001. These photos are mostly of houses where Demolition Permits have been applied for. Others document construction, important buildings, and streetscapes. The home in the photo above is at 3502 Dowsley Court and is in that collection.

The house at 3502 Dowsley Court was built in 1956 for $11,000 by Hazel Brod Construction. This street off East Carisbrooke Road in the North Lonsdale Area of the District of North Vancouver didn't even appear in the City Directories until about that time. In 1960 the owners were Ray J. and Anne Rice. Ray Rice worked as an operator at B. C. Sugar. Mrs. Anne Rice was a foreman at Mrs. William's Cake shop. Raymond Rice continued to work at B. C. Sugar. In 1991 Raymond and Anne Rice reported that they had retired. The City Directories records them owning the home at least until 1995.

Demolition: Application applied for in 2006.
Photo: Digital copy of photo taken in April 2006 on Roll #69 of Demolition and Construction Collection by SW.