Style: Victorian
Constructed: C. 1890
This is the earliest, existing, documented house in the City.The house was originally on the site of the present day Legion. It was moved in mid 1909 to make way for the construction of the Y.M.C.A.
This house was built for Dr. Edward Charles Arthur, M.D. (below left) in the fall of 1890 or the early Spring of 1891. He was newly married to Isabella Lennox Arthur, nee Delamge, and they were expecting their first child. Dr. Arthur entered what was to become Nelson, B.C. in August 1890 having served a contract as a physician with the C.P.R. Railway construction crew.
With Reverend Thomas Rodgers, Dr. Edward Arthur opened a room in his home as the first school classroom in Nelson on 25 May 1891. Classes were held here until a two room school house was built behind what is now the Bank of Montreal. It opened in October 1891. Dr. Arthur holds the provincial record of being elected the most times of any Trustee - 20 times.
Isabella Lennox Arthur entered Medical School in Portland, Oregon in the fall of 1893. She graduated as a physician in May 1897. Her first office was in this house. Her photo can be seen below to the left.
This house remained in the family until it was sold in 1978, making it one of, if not, the longest held family residence in the City - a period of 88 years.
To learn more of this remarkable couple please visit:
I can only imagine the tales behind these walls!