904 Victoria Street Plumbing Permit: under construction June 04, 1900
605 Cedar Street Plumbing Permit: under construction 28 May 1900
609 Cedar Street Plumbing Permit: under construction 11 April 1900
These three ladies were literally built months apart in the Spring of 1900; and, with the turn of the 21st Century have each seen their revitalization.
The first of the three, 904 Victoria Street, was constructed for businessman G.W. Taylor, as a rental. The assessed value in 1901 was $1,500.00, this home being the largest of the three. The first tenant was E.F. Gigot. A curiosity in the Plumbing Permit shows that the wash bowl in the bath was made of marble or was marble lined. This was a common feature in 1900, but one to create covetous eyes today. On August 23, 1907 the house was sold to C.P.R. Conductor, Joseph Turner and his wife, Minnie. The family remained in the home for approximately thirty five years. The house originally had a turret.
The second home, 605 Cedar Street, was constructed for local Blacksmith and Fireman Enon Fernando Crawford, as a rental. The assessed value in 1901 was $1,250.00. The first tenant was F.J. Crawford. The Plumbing Permit shows an enameled wash bowl in the bath with a steel clad tub. By 1910 Frank Seaman had acquired the ownership of the home; and, on 27 December 1911 he sold the same to Patrick Gallagher. The assessed value at the time of the sale was $2,500.00
The third home, 609 Cedar Street, was constructed for Lumberman Alexander George Lambert, as a rental. The first tenant was George Ferguson. The assessed value in 1901 was $1,250.00. The Plumbing Permit shows a marble or marble lined sink in the bath. On 05 December 1904 the house was sold to Mrs. J.A. Montgomery. Edith M. Montgomery owned the home until 1925 when she sold it to her newly married daughter, Jennie Kathleen and her husband, William Ludlow. The Ludlow family remained in the home for a minimum of forty- four years. They lost a son, Private Robert Ludlow, age 19 years, in Germany in 1945.
The Victorian Architecture, with a flourish of Queen Anne, of these modest, working class homes, attempted to mimic the more lavish homes of the day. These homes were built on speculation for the burgeoning real estate market of the early 1900s.Although little remains of the original interior, the exterior of these homes are fine examples of what is old can be new again. The attention to detail in both the restoration of the wood work and the colour schemes plays a dominant role in their renewal and allows us a window to the working, middle class of early Nelson.
These homes were part of the 2009 Heritage Home Tour.
The historic photograph, circa 1910, is courtesy of the Shawn Lamb Archives http://www.touchstonesnelson.ca/
These homes were part of the 2009 Heritage Home Tour.
