1901 House on Victoria Drive

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving
The Story of Two Houses and a Tent
Vancouver and West Vancouver, B.C.

Elizabeth Ruth Clarke was born in 1874 in London England.  In 1902 Elizabeth married Frederick James Ades. They moved to Vancouver, Canada in 1905.   They had three children, Nina, Gordon, and Nancy and owned their own home on Victoria Drive. (Built in 1901.) Elizabeth worked as a maid to vaudeville actors performing in Vancouver.  She was a dresser for Marion Davies, who married William Randolph Hearst.  She was also a cleaner at the Beacon Theater in Vancouver.    In 1922 Frederick left the family and never returned. 

Elizabeth could not pay the taxes on the Victoria Drive home, and a  neighbor, Mr. Robertson, purchased the house for the price of the tax bill.  Elizabeth and the three children moved to a tent with a wooden floor at 19th and Railway in West Vancouver.  The tent in the photo below is an example of the kind of tent it might have been.  Nancy and Gordon  continued to attend Lord Selkirk School in Vancouver by taking the West Vancouver ferry to Vancouver each day. Elizabeth and her daughter Nina also took the ferry to go to work in Vancouver.

Tent of type Elizabeth Clark Ades and 3 children lived in-NVMA #4008

In 1923  Elizabeth and the three children moved back to Vancouver, to an apartment on Commercial Drive.  In 1926 Elizabeth bought the house at 1833 Lakewood Drive, Vancouver.  The house was on a 1/2 lot south of the lane between 17th and 18th Street.  Her son Gordon and his wife bought the house from Elizabeth in 1948.  Elizabeth moved to Pico Rivera, California to live with her daughter Nancy and her husband.  She later lived in Huntington Park, California with her daughter Nina and her husband and their son Alan Wilson.  Elizabeth died in 1963 and is buried at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California.

1833 Lakewood Drive, Vancouver House

Note:  Elizabeth Ruth Clarke Ades was the maternal grandmother of Alan

                  Wilson, husband of Suzanne Wilson.

Photos:  Top photo taken of Victoria Drive, Vancouver house in 2010.

                  Tent photo taken of  NVMA photo number 4008.                     

                  Bottom photo copied from family history of Lakewood Drive home.

Demolition:  House on Lakewood Drive was demolished in 1982 and the
                  present house built.

Sunday Church Special

St. Andrew's Pioneer Church
Courtenay, B.C.

St. Andrew's Pioneer Church is situated at 4778 Island Highway. It is one  mile north of downtown Courtenay, B.C. and 27  miles north of the Fanny Bay Inn (See October 2nd, 2010 blog post, Saturday Travel Feature, the Fanny Bay Inn, Fanny Bay, B.C.) on the very same highway as the Inn.

Courtenay, B.C. on Vancouver Island (Mapquest)

"Used since 2002 by Living Word Reformed Episcopal Church, this building is also known as St. Andrew's Pioneer Church. It was constructed in 1876 after a group of local Presbyterians, who had been meeting  jointly with the people of St. Andrew's Anglican Church, chose to form their own congregation. The building was actively used by the original congregation until about 1950, at which time it was temporarily taken over by a Lutheran congregation in the process of building their own facilities. From approximately 1955 to 1977 the building was vacant and fell into disrepair. In the late 1970's the descendants of the original builders restored the building. It came back into use as a church in 1989 when Covenant Congregational Church began using it. They met there until late 2001. The main body of the church remains essentially unchanged. A small addition was made to the back of the church in the mid-1990's to house a kitchen and washrooms downstairs and office and Sunday School space upstairs.

"The building is a great example of early Vancouver Island pioneer architecture, built from local materials. Of special interest is the portion of wall just inside the main doors. Preserved behind glass is a section of wall showing the original plaster made on-site from oyster shells and horsehair. The floors in the nave are still the original hand-cut timbers. The church is situated in the city cemetery which was originally the parish cemetery. Grave markers for some of the founders are just outside the north door of the building." (Link 1.)

Thank you: To Mapquest.
Photo: Taken in Courtenay B.C. in 2005 by SW.
           For other photos see Link 2.
Link 1:
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM3ZH1_Living_Word_Reformed_Episcopal_Church
Link 2: http://homepage.mac.com/klock/lwec/index.htm

Saturday Travel Feature

FBI
Fanny Bay, B.C.

 "Fanny Bay is a small hamlet in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is located on Baynes Sound on the east coast of Vancouver Island. In 2001, its population was listed as 744.^[1] It is best-known for its fine oysters." Wikipedia (See Link 1.)  Fanny Bay  is situated on the old Island Highway running mainly along the waterfront on the east side of Vancouver Island. Fanny Bay Inn sits right on that Highway.  In fact its address is 7480 Island Highway.  It is about 3/4 of the way between Nanaimo-the mid Island ferry crossing from mainland, and Courtenay-the northern ferry crossing from the mainland. "15 minutes south of Courtenay." (Link 4.)   And it is three miles south of the ferry crossing to Denman Island.

Fanny Bay, B.C. on Vancouver Island (Mapquest)

The Fanny Bay Inn is affectionately known by the locals as the FBI. The Inn has even sold T shirts and hats with its FBI insignia. "Drop in at the landmark Fanny Bay Inn, known on the island as the FBI. This is a real roadhouse, with local clientele, a fine fireplace, the obligatory collection of tankards, a dart board, and hearty pub fare. A low-key, convenient stop on the trek north from " (Link 2.) It  "was voted the most authentic British Pub in British Columbia." (Link 3.)

Fanny Bay Inn was built in 1938 and originally  was used as an inn with 6 rooms to let.  When you enter the pub doors under the overhang on the right side of the front of the building you will see: a fire in the fireplace to the right, round dark wood pub tables surrounded by captain's chairs, a bar running across the back of the room, and the walls covered with local photos.  An alcove on the far side in the back looks out onto the backyard where there are picnic tables in the summer. 
\
Thank you: To Mapquest. To Rick Grant at the FBI for additional information.
Photo: Taken in Fanny Bay, B.C. in December 2006 by SW.

Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Bay,_British_Columbia

Link 2: http://www.vancouverisland.com/regions/towns/?townID=54

Link 3:http://www.bctravel.com/fannybay/

Link 4: http://fannybayinn.com/



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.