Style: Wood frame cottage (Village Phase 1891-1895)
City Area: F. H. Latimer Survey- First Addition to the Town site 1891-1895.
This tiny cottage is evident on the 1899 Fire Insurance Map of Nelson, however it does not appear in the Assessment Records until 1912. A Plumbing Permit was issued on 25 May 1899 for the installation of a sink so why it was not assessed at the time is a mystery that may be never solved.
It is evident from the structure of the cottage that it was constructed in the very early days of Nelson, most likely in the first phase. It is possible that the cottage was constructed shortly after the road grids were established. At one time Hendryx Street was a through street from Silica to Victoria which would have made access much easier.
It is not known who constructed the cottage. In 1912 the property was divided from that of 803 Silica Street to stand on its own. The cottage was assessed at $1,000.00 at that time. The first owner of record is Mrs. Nettie Beer* as it was included in the 803 Silica Street property (1899). Both portions were then sold to Mrs.W.F. Cochrane* who eventually sold to Ferdinand Barraud.
In 1915 Ferdinand Barraud is noted as the owner. The assessed value was $1,500.00. Mr. Barruad was employed with the C.P.R. He relocated to Revelstoke in the mid 1920s. While there he was involved with the Roman Catholic Church as the organist. He died on 28 March 1978 at the age of 87 years. His wife lived to the age of 107 years!
The next owner of note was W.W.1 Veteran, Percival James Goggin and his wife, Ida. Mr. Goggin was employed as a Chauffeur. In 1940 the assessed value of the home was $1,400.00. Mr. and Mrs. Goggin lived in the home for approximately 18 years. Mr. and Mrs. Goggin relocated to Burnaby in 1943. Mr. Goggin died as a result of a fall on 28 July 1960 at the age of 71 years. Mrs. Goggin died in Burnaby on 07 January 1988 at the age of 91 years.
In this home’s kitchen you will find the light fixtures from the original St. Joseph’s School; and, a Rood Screen from a local church in the dining area. This home is a fine example of how bits of the past can be incorporated with the present to create a warm and comfortable living environment.
This home was constructed at a time when Nelson was not much more than a shanty town located on the side of a mountain lake. The saloons and brothels vastly outnumbered the places of worship and a horse race down the main street was not uncommon. Now if the walls could talk…
This home was part of the 2009 Heritage Home Tour.
* In 1873 women who owned property in British Columbia became the first in Canada to secure the right to vote in Municipal Elections.
