1023 Stanley Street

Style: Late Victoria

This house is on the boundary of the Hoover Addition, District Lot 150 and the Government Town site, District Lot 95 (F. H. Latimer Survey- First Addition to the Town site 1891-1895).
Alexander Lawson McKillop, Mineral Assayer, built this house in 1899. According to the Assessment Records of 1900 the house was valued at $3,000.00 while lots 8 and 9 were valued at $300.00, lot 10 at $400.00 and lots 11 and 12 at $250.00 each. It appears no expense was spared to build an elegant and comfortable home with all the amenities of the day. By 1905 the property was registered in the name of Nellie McKillop*, the wife of Alexander Lawson McKillop.

Mr. McKillop (left) was a well known Nelson figure having served on City Council for a one year term in 1899. He also constructed the McKillop Building in 1897, the present day Baker Street site of Dr. Tim Allen’s Optometry practice.

An owner of note was William Francis Cochrane and wife, Helen*, who purchased the house in 1910. Mr. Cochrane was the son of Senator Matthew Cochrane, a Montreal Industrialist, turned Rancher. In 1881, due to a special relationship with the John A. MacDonald government, Senator Cochrane established the largest ranch in Canada. Young Mr. Cochrane became the Manager of the southern section of the ranch. After the death of his Father (1903) the ranch was sold in 1905 to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. According to his death registration Mr. Cochrane was a retired rancher from 1908 until his death in 1923. The town of Cochrane, Alberta is named for Senator Cochrane.


Another owner of note was mining engineer, Paul Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln was involved with the Noble Five Mine at Sandon, as an engineer under Sir James Dunsmuir. Upon the death of Sir James Dunsmuir Mr. Lincoln assumed the position of President and General Manager. The Noble Five was comprised of the original Noble Five, the Last Chance, and the Surprise properties at Cody, B.C.

This house is a fine example of how parts of the past can be incorporated into a multiple residential structure. Original hardwood floors, radiators, baseboards, trim and a Rumford fireplace are just some of the features that add a turn of the century feel to an otherwise more modern living space.

This home was part of the 2008 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.

The photograph of Alexander McKillop and the couple in heritage dress are courtesy of the Shawn Lamb Archives, http://www.touchstonesnelson.ca/ ; the photograph of William Cochrane is courtesy of the Glen Bow Archives, Calgary, Alberta.  The Obituary is from The Nelson Daily News, 27 April 1965 - click on it to enlage.