Saturday Travel Feature

Concrete Grade School

Concrete, Washington

"The town of Concrete has undergone several incarnations, the earliest being a settlement at the northwestern junction of the Baker and Skagit Rivers, known as "Minnehaha". Amasa "Peg-Leg" Everett was one of the earliest settlers and in 1890, the townsite was platted by another settler, Magnus Miller. Shortly thereafter, a post office was established and the town name changed to "Baker". In 1905, a settlement across the Baker River came into being due to the building of the Washington Portland Cement Company and was named "Cement City". After the Superior Portland Cement Company plant was built in Baker in 1908, it was decided to merge the two towns.Inhabitants of the new community settled on the name "Concrete" and the town was so christened and officially incorporated on May 8, 1909....

"On April 27, 2008 at approximately 1:45 p.m., the historic Concrete grade school building was reported to be on fire and according to fire officials, was fully engulfed in flames within twenty minutes. Despite the efforts of five fire departments (including Concrete, Burlington, Sedro-Woolley and two rural fire districts), the building was a total loss. Not able to enter the intensely heated building, the firefighters could only contain the fire within the concrete exterior walls in order to keep it from spreading to the adjacent buildings and trees that are located around the structure's perimeter.Demolition: Demolition began on August 4, 2009.

"After investigation by the ATF, Skagit County Fire Marshall and the Skagit County Sheriff's office, officials determined that arson was the cause of the blaze. According to the Skagit County Sheriff's Department in a press release, three pre-teen boys admitted during an interview that they had been playing with lighters and set a mattress left inside the building on fire. The boys maintained that they believed the fire they started had been extinguished before exiting the building.[12]


"The twenty-year owner of the property had initially intended to remodel the exterior of the building with a castle motif. This plan, however, was abandoned sometime in the 1990s, and the property sat uninhabited and the remodel incomplete for an extended period of time. In the years before the fire destroyed the landmark, the building had become known to out-of-towners and locals alike as an eye-sore. Since the fire, the building has been slated for complete demolition. As of August 4, 2009, the long-awaited demolition of the buildings damaged by the fire began under the direction of Lautenbach Industries." (See Link.)

Demolition: Started August 4, 2009.
Photo: Taken in Concrete, Washington in September 2007.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete,_Washington

Friday, September 17, 2010
North Shore Hospice

Several houses in the 300 block of East 13th Street and 14th Street have been demolished to make way for the North Shore Hospice. "The 1,400 square metre (15,000 square foot) hospice is being built on Lions Gate Hospital land located one block east of the hospital on East 14th Street in the City of North Vancouver.

"It will contain 15 spacious and comfortable private rooms and shared gathering areas including a living room, kitchen, a healing garden and a sacred space. The hospice features leading-edge design by award-winning architects, engineers and consultants and will be consistent with standards set by Community Care Facilities Licensing. " (See Link.) As of September 2010 the Hospice was still under construction.


One of the houses demolished for the Hospice was at 332 East 13th Street. There is no record in the Building Permit Book at the North Vancouver Archives as to when it was built. There is also no listing in the 1940 or 1945 City Directories of that address. But by 1950 the owners of 332 East 13th Street are listed as Thomas A. and Dorothea A. Cummings. Thomas Cummings was employed by Wrigley Printing.


In 1960 the owners were Nels and Ethel Oie. Nels worked as a carpenter. In 1971 the owner was Gemma V. Phillips. Gemma Phillips was a secretary for Freeman Freeman Silvers and Koffman. The resident in 1980 was Thomas Gillis, a laborer for Pacific Elevators. In 1991 the City Directory reported that the house was "Vacant". Richard A. Campbell must have moved in the next year. For in the 1995/1996 City Directory he reported living there for 4 years. In 1995/1996 Alysa Golden also lived at the 332 East 13th Street address.

In the photo above is a streetscape of the 300 block of East 13th Street. It was a series of typical 1950's stucco homes.

Demolition Permit: Applied for from the City of North Vancouver in 2007.
Photos: Black and White taken by SW in 2007 as part of the Demolition and Construction Project for the North

Vancouver Archives, Roll #85 negative 24 and 28. Colored digital photo taken in August 2010 by SW.

Link:http://www.vch.ca/about_us/news/media_contacts/news_releases/construction_begins_on_north_shore_hospice

Anton Frank in Front of Original Grocery Store

on Tobacnoir Street 1908

Special Birthday Feature

Happy Birthday Suzanne

The Frank Compound

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

The Frank Family Compound started in 1888 when Peter Frank and his family moved from Sherwood, Wisconsin to Kaukauna, Wisconsin and he and his son John purchased the grocery store on Tobacnoir Street.  They not only owned and operated the store until 1907, but bought a family home around the corner at 806 Oviate Street. 

In 1908 Peter Frank moved to Shawano, Wisconsin and sold his co-ownership to his son Anton Harold Frank.   Anton Frank is pictured in front of the store in that year. Then Anton Frank also purchased the house on Oviate St. from his brother and father.  Anton, his wife Dorothea, and their children, Emmet, Orville, Harold, Geneafava, Elaine, and Dorothy May moved into the house.

Original Store on Tobacinoir Street Converted to Apartment Building

In 1926 a red brick grocery store was built on the corner of Tobacnoir Street and Oviate Street. The symbol on the second floor above the front doors states the 1926 date. On the ground at the front doors was the name "Frank" in mosaic tiles.  The original red brick store had two large front store window and the check out counter was in the center. In 1930 when his father Anton Frank died, Harold Frank became the store manager. He ran the store for his mother Dorothea Frank until she died in 1968 and the store was sold.  By 1994 the building housed a laundomat.

1926 Grocery Store On Corner of Tobacnoir and Oviate Streets

The Frank family home originally had brown siding. There was a large glassed in porch all the way across the front of  the first floor and a porch on the second floor. The back of the house was also a glassed in porch. Inside on the first floor of the house was a living room on the right, a dining room on the left and behind it a kitchen and small bedroom. In these rooms is where Orville Frank and Hazel Juergenmeyer (Suzanne (Frank) Wilson's parents) were married. Between the living room and the dining room was a large center stairway with an open railing on the livingroom side. Other bedrooms were upstairs. After Anton died, his wife Dorothea (Suzanne (Frank) Wilson's grandmother) "took to her chair". A lift was installed on the center stairway and from then on she greeted her grandchildren and twisted colored foil onto wheat seeds on stalks to make bouquets from a chair next to a table in the living room.

Frank Family Home at 806 Oviate Street

The large flower garden between the 1926 red brick store and the family home completed the compound.

Photos: Top-Old family photo of Anton Harold Frank, grandfather of Suzanne
                           (Frank) Wilson 1908 in front of first Frank Grocery Store on the
                           100 block of Tobacnoir  Street in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
                2nd-Store from 1908 now turned into a building with apartments. 
                          Sold in 1968.  Photo taken in 2006 by SW.
                3rd-1926 Frank Grocery Store.  Sold in 1968. Photo taken in
                         2006 by SW.
               Bottom-Frank family home at 806 Oviate Street.  Sold in 1968.
                         Photo taken in 2006 by SW.
Note: Suzanne(Frank) Wilson is the daughter of Orville Carlton Frank, the
              granddaughter of Anton Harold Frank, and the great granddaughter of
              Peter Frank.
Thank You: To Karen (Frank)  Hull for family history information.
       

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Glenora in the Capilano Highlands

This white single storey home at 925 Glenora Avenue is in the Capilano Highlands area of the District of North Vancouver. Glenora Avenue is a short street that crosses Highland Blvd. but both to the east and west soon terminates, in Vale Court and Dudley Rd. The house was originally built in 1949 for $6000 by M. Anderson.

By the next year, 1950, the owners were J.H. and Mildred Garner.  In 1955 the Garners built a $350 addition to their house and a $250 carport. They continued to live there in 1960 during which time J. Garner worked as the B.C. representative for Wallaceburg Brass.

In 1971 the resident was Brian J. Woodward who was employed as a mortgage accountant at Montreal Trust. In 1980, 1991, and 1995/1996 City Directories lists Brian J. and Patricia Woodward  as the owners of 925 Glenora Avenue. During these years Brian Woodward was employed as a trust officer at Montreal Trust. Brian Woodward is also listed at the 925 Glenora Avenue address in the 2008/2010 North and West Vancouver Phone Directory. So that means that Woodward's  lived in the house for almost 40 years.

The three bedroom ranch style house is 1,400 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and a fireplace. It sits on a 8050 sq. ft. lot. For interior photos see the Link below.

Demolition Permit: Applied for August 2010.

Photo: Taken in August 2010 by SW.

Link: http://www.teamclarke.com/925glenora.html

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Orwell Street, Where Are You?

The answer to that question is easy if you read yesterday's blog, especially for 872 Orwell Street since its backyard seems to be adjacent to that of 887 Premier Street. But the reason the question was even posed is that there is no record for this address in the Building Permit Book or the 1950, 1960, 1971, or 1980 City Directories. In fact, even Orwell Street isn't listed in the 1950 or 1960 City Directories. (Update: E. Oakes revealed in 2011 that there was a 1980 Building Permit issued to R. J. Pearce with an occupancy permit issued in 1982.)

And then the Pearce family appears. In 1971 Mrs. Evelyn Pearce owned 887 Premier Street. Then in 1985 Revell J. Pearce and Evelyn Pearce, both retired, are listed as living at 872 Orwell Street. They are again listed as residents and retired in the 1995/1996 City Directory. R. J. Pearce reported that he had been living at that address for over 9 years, so that means he moved into 887 Premier Street in the mid 1980's, also confirmed by the 1985 City Directory.

The 2008/2010 North and West Vancouver Phone Directories record the Pearce family continuing to live at 872 Orwell Street until  recently.  The 1999/2000 issue lists R. J. and Evelyn Pearce at that address. The 2006/2007 and 2008/2010 issues list Colin Orwell at the 872 Orwell Street address.

The house at 872 Orwell Street is unique for many reasons. It is at the end of a cul de sac. It is across the street from the path going to Inter River Park. Its construction looks like two houses. One is a red brick clad entrance with a fireplace chimney. Attached behind that is a Tudor trimmed white stucco rectangular building with windows facing the west. The Link from yesterday's post on 887 Premier St. seems to indicate that multifamily housing will be built on this lot. This side of Orwell Street has already undergone this transformation and is now a series of row houses.

Demolition Permit: Applied for August 2010.

Photo: Taken in August 2010 by SW.

Note: See September 13th, 2010 blog post "On the Way to the Dump" regarding 887 Premier Street.

Update: Thank you to Sharon Proctor and E. Oakes for this information.

Monday, September 13, 2010

On the Way to the Dump

Premier Street just east of the Upper Levels Highway and Lynn Creek and west of Capilano College used to be the street leading to the North Vancouver Dump. The dump is now Inter Riverpark and the District Disposal Grounds. Garbage is now dumped at the Transfer Station, a giant warehouse on Riverside Drive near Burrard Inlet, and then trucked north to Cache Creek.

Premier Street has been transformed into a series of picturesque row houses with paintings in Plexiglas on their front gates and upscale multifamily units. The house at 887 Premier Street in the photo above will be demolished to add to the new look. (See Link.)

The house at 887 Premier Street was built before 1931 as the Building Permit Book reports that in 1931 a Permit was applied for by G. Smith for $200 "house alterations". The 1931 City Directory lists G. Smith a poultry man as living on the "ss" of Premier. He is also reported as the "ss" owner in 1940 and 1945. In 1945 Beatrice M. Smith is also listed at the 887 Premier Street address and George Smith is listed as a rancher. There are no other listings of either George or Beatrice Smith or the 887 Premier Street address in either the 1950 or 1960 City Directories.

By 1971 Mrs. Evelyn Pearce, widow of R. Pearce, was the owner of the 887 Premier St. home. The Pearce family continued to own the home at least until 2006 as they are reported in the 1980, 1985, 1991, 1995/1996 City Directories and the 1990/2000 and 2006/2007 North and West Vancouver Phone Directories. However, the individuals within the family who owned or lived in the house changed. In 1971, 1980, and 1999/2000 it was reported as Evelyn Pearce. In 1985 it was listed as Revell Pearce, retired. In 1991, 1995/1996 and 2006/2007 the owner was reported as Colin Pearce, retired.

Colin Pearce and R. J. Pearce are also reported as living in a house at 872 Orwell whose yard seems to back onto the 887 Premier Street home. (See September 14th, 2010 blog post.) According to the Link, these two properties seem slated to be added to the multifamily homes now being built in the area.

It is not known when the stone wall along the front yard and path to the front door was built. (See photo below.) Was it by George Smith the patrimony and rancher or by Revell or Colin Pearce during their retirement years?  But it has  added charm to the house "on the way to the dump".

Demolition Permit: Applied for in August 2010.

Photos: Taken in August 2010 by SW.
Link: http://www.greatervancouvergroup.com/blog.html/new-property-listed-in-lynnmour-north-vancouver-807327

Sunday Church Feature

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

According to the "1970 Photo Directory" of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, it was founded and dedicated in 1870.  The "1970 Photo Directory" which included the history of the church was published to commemorate its 100th anniversary.  The original entrance to the church was at 1023 Russell Avenue in the heart of the Bay View area on the south side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The high vaulted ceiling of the sanctuary gave it the look of a cathedral.

Later additions to the church included the stained glass windows.  The primary window faces east and the church's school building.  The other five major windows depict the "Mysteries of the Rosary".  A new entrance, in the photo above,  on Kinnickinnic Avenue the main commercial street of Bay View, was built in 1959.  It features four Greek columns.  Sometime after 1959 the most spectacular feature of the church building was added.  This was the 2 1/2 storey high mosaic mural behind the front altar of the sanctuary.  It depicts the family tree of Jesus from Adam and Eve to Mary and Joseph.

Today 500 families  are registered as member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  The Pastor is Rev. Ronald E. Kotecki and the Youth Minister is Bob Boehm.

Thank You: To Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Youth Minister Bob Boehm for the information references from the "1970 Photo Directory" regarding the history of the church.

Photo: Taken in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2006  by SW.

Link:  http://icbayview.wordpress.com/

Note: Suzanne Wilson grew up on Logan Avenue (See Blog Post August 4, 2010.) two blocks from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, (or "IC" as the neighbors called it).