Kerr's Apartments

Style: Richardsonian Romanesque

Constructed: 1910-1912

Although a picture may be “worth a thousand words’ it can sometimes make the imagination stutter. As a result it is difficult to imagine, when you view the photograph of the fire gutted building, that when Edward Kerr opened his doors the opulence was the ‘likes of which’ the City had never seen.

Edward Kerr (left) and his family arrived in Nelson in 1898. It was not long before he gained employment and in 1902 purchased the Occidental Hotel. He soon became known as a good and fair man who would never turn away a hungry man.

When Edward purchased the lots that now constitute 514 Victoria Street a great many of the Citizenry thought he had taken leave of his senses. The lots were not fully developed and were not much more than a large rocky outcrop. How they could possibly be developed caused many a chin to wag!

Edward saw opportunity where others saw rocks. He knew the City was not in need of more hotels/saloons, there were already eighteen; sleeping rooms and boarding houses were abundant; and, business blocks were soaring skyward. He decided the City needed its first apartment building-self contained suites of the finest quality.

To meet these ends Edward hired local Architect, Alexander Carrie (left). Just as today the use of local contractors and trades people was preferred and these were employed by Mr. Carrie. The stone work was supplied by E. Palmquist; woodwork by Waters and Pascoe; roofing and hardware by Wood Vallance Hardware; plastering by I. Benilson; plumbing and heating by B.C. Plumbing and Heating; electrical by J.H. Mathieson; and, the gas ranges and fittings by Nelson Coke and Gas Company.

The most unusual aspect of the entire construction was that all the granite was quarried on the site. The building literally grew from the granite floor.

As the rock was carved into walls the interior of the structure was being constructed one storey at a time. It was much akin to working within a granite shell.

Halfway through construction Edward’s finances were depleted. He had no money to move forward, could not pay his debts and could not qualify for a loan due to these debts. This is when a most extraordinary thing happened. All the people on the project met and decided they would continue without payment. As well they would sign an Undertaking that they had been paid in full allowing Edward to apply for and receive a $25,000 building loan from Great West Life. This act of generosity allowed the Kerr’s Apartments to go on to completion. All the debts were discharged in full.

Nelson was booming in 1912. The sounds of hammers and saws could be heard throughout the City core. Houses were being erected in the residential areas and the large stone edifices tried to touch the sky in the downtown core. There was no want for employment.

The year saw the completion of the Strachan Block (131 Baker) at $7,500.00; the Annable, $30,000.00; the Reid (330 Baker), $22,000.00; the McCulloch (377 Baker), $24,000.00; Brackman Ker warehouse (Front), $16,000.00; the Taylor Milling and Elevator, $7,000.00; the A.S. Horswill, B.C. Plumbing and John Burns and sons warehouses at $1,000.00 each; and, the Presbyterian Church, $27,000.00.

The Kerr’s Apartments were completed at a cost of $60,000.00. Considerable expense was saved quarrying the rock on site so one can only imagine the amount of money that was earmarked for the interior of the building!

In mid March 1912 the apartment building opened its doors. The first tenant was Louis Kerr, the owner’s son, who had taken on the responsibility of building caretaker. According to Edward Kerr he could have filled “a building thrice the size.”

Kerr’s Apartments consisted of thirty-seven suites. It was soon evident no expense had been spared as the marble steps led into a gleaming foyer of highly polished stone and wood. The apartments ranged in size from three to seven spacious, furnished rooms with plastered walls and steam heated radiators. The windows were tall, wide and deep leaving window wells for seats or knickknacks.

The plumbing system was the most up to date with a bit of a twist. The boiler used for heating was separate from that used for domestic purposes. As a result the 800 gallon domestic boiler could fill every bath in the building at once and not drain the system. Hot water was never an issue. Each apartment had a three piece bath with 'nickeled' fittings. The newest safety features were affixed to the boilers.

The building was the most fashionable in the district with the use of electric lights to enhance hallways, entrances and apartment living. The electric switchboard was kept under lock and key in the Caretaker’s quarters. She was wired for both private and public telephones

Each apartment had a fully appointed kitchen with ample cupboard and drawer space. The latest gas ranges enhanced the preparation of meals. The basement was not without its own amenities. This roomy structure boasted a storeroom for each suite as well as laundry facilities. Nothing was over looked.

Outside the building is of the Richardsonian Romanesque style with a large arched entranceway, stone window lintels and rusticated stonework. The black marks in the stones are naturally occurring.

Time had not been kind to this once stately structure. Over the years her façade presented a building that had faded both inside and out. Her paint had worn and her elegance transplanted with areas of disrepair and convenient quick fixes. Her once high rental rate was reduced to low cost housing.

On January 5th fire gutted the interior displacing all her tenants. Her once proud and erect walls that so broadly welcomed the upper crust of Nelson society support a gaping hole with blackened and boarded windows.

The future of Kerr’s Apartments is uncertain. However, thanks to the plans of Architect Carrie and the resources of the West Kootenay she still appears sound and may once again be filled with the sounds of family life.

***The building was razed on Sunday, June 26, 2011.***

The Kerr 1912 and Edward Kerr photographs are courtesy of the Shawn Lamb Archives, Touchstones Nelson http://www.touchstonesnelson.ca/ ; the Kerr today is courtesy of the author; Edward Kerr obituary, Nelson Daily News, 13 May 1922; photograph of Alexander Carrie is courtesy of the Wallach family.

619 Silica Street

Style: Vernacular
Constructed: 1899




The City has realigned the lots several times over the years.

According to the Plumbing Permit the house was under construction on 13 May 1899 for Jacob Dover (as a residence). The Final Inspection was 22 June 1899. The completed house is evident on the 1899 Fire Insurance Map.

The first Assessment Records for the City of Nelson were created in 1898.

1898 01 March 1898
Lot 15: $300.00
House: $250.00
Lot 16: $300.00
House: $250.00
Owner: Jacob Dover

These would be nothing more than small wooden cottages.

1899 03 May 1899
Lot 15: $400.00
House: $500.00
Lot 16: $400.00
Owner: Jacob Dover

It appears the new house was not appraised for its full value at this time.

1900 18 April 1900
Lot 15: $400.00
House: $2000.00
Lot 16: $400.00
Owner: Mrs. Ray Dover* (wife of Jacob). This would be a substantial house in 1900.

1901 19 June 1901
Lot 15: $400.00
Lot 16: $400.00
House: $2000.00
Owner: Mrs. Ray Dover, occupied by Jacob Dover.

The house is now on Lot 16.

Residence consists of 6 rooms, 1 bath, 1 water closet and 1 hose (for fire protection).

!902 – 1907
Lot 15: $400.00
Lot 16: $400.00
House: $2000.00
Owner: Mrs. Ray Dover, occupied by Jacob Dover.

It is possible that the Dover children: William Barney, 04 August 1901; Olga Esther, 17 August 1902; and, Isadora Rosylin Ivy, 16 October 1903, were all born in the house.

In the 1901 Henderson’s Gazetteer and Directory (below) Jacob Dover is listed as a local Jeweller and resident of 288 Silica Street. I suspect this is an error as the Assessment Records have the occupants listed as the Dover family.

In the 1901 Census Jacob Dover states he was born in Germany and emigrated to Canada in 1881. By 1910 the Dover family is residing in Seattle, Washington. Jacob filed his Intention to become a Naturalized U.S.Citizen on 12 June 1920.

1908
Lot 15: $400.00
Lot 16: $400.00
House: $2000.00
Owner: Edward Kerr (Kerr’s Apartment owner).

Edward Kerr purchased the house on 23 August 1907.

1909

Lot 15: $400.00

Lot 16: $400.00

House: $2000.00

Owner: Edward Kerr

1910 – 1911
Lot 15: $400.00
Lot 16: $425.00
House: $2200.00
Owner: Edward Kerr

1912
Lot 15: $400.00
Lot 16: $425.00
House: $2200.00
Owner: Dr. W.O. Rose, M.D.

Dr. Rose was a Nelson pioneer and one of her leading citizens.  He died on 04 March 1936, in Nelson, at the age of 66 years. His wife, Azza, died in Vancouver, on 06 August 1951 at the age of 76 years.

Now if only the walls could talk...

The Obituary is courtesy of the Nelson Daily News, 05 March 1936.

817 Vernon Street

Style: Late Victorian Domestic
Constructed: 1914





The first Assessment Records for the City of Nelson were created in 1898.

1898 07 March 1898
Lot 16: $550.00
Lot 17: $550.00
Owner: Columbia Kootenay Rail and Navigation Company

1913
Lot 16: $800.00
Lot 17: $800.00
Owner: Columbia Kootenay Rail and Navigation Company

There is a reference to an agreement to purchase by John Svoboda.

1914
Lot 16: $800.00
Lot 17: $800.00
Owner John Svoboda

It appears the property was purchased sometime after the assessment date in 1913 and the house completed after the 1914 assessment date. The Plumbing Permit shows a Final Inspection date of 05 June 1914.

1915 - 1918
Lot 16: $800.00
Lot 17: $800.00
House: $2500.00

I could find next to nothing on the early years of this house. It does not appear that Mr. Svoboda lived in it for any length of time. It may have been constructed as a revenue property.The 1899 Fire Insurance Map indicates the empty lots where the house now sits. The 1923 Fire Insurance Map shows the house as it appeared at that time.

Mr. Svoboda was a resident in the City in 1901 as he appears in the 1901 Henderson’s B.C. Gazetteer and Directory. He died in California.

317 Silica Street

Style: Late Victorian
Constructed: 1900






1900
Lot 15: $750.00
Owner: D. McGillivray and R.G. Tatlow, Vancouver, B.C.
Lot 16:$700.00 revised down to $600.00
Owner: Mrs. Laura Hawkey*

The house was not constructed until May of 1900, after the Assessment. The Plumbing Permit #488, dated 14 May 1900 states the house was “under construction” as of that date. The Nelson Daily Miner of Friday May 11, 1900 stated ”Dr. Hawkey has begun the erection of small cottage on Silica Street between the Phair Hotel annex and the Nelson Club.”

I strongly suspect the house plans were drawn by Alexander Carrie, Architect. The house has all the design characteristics of a Carrie home, steep pitch of the roof, the dormer type windows, front porch area, the lines, etc. As well, Dr. Hawkey was in partnership with Dr. Hall. Dr. Hall was a very good friend of Alexander Carrie, as well as being his mining and prospecting partner. I would think if advice were requested as to which Architect Mr. Carrie’s would be the first name mentioned.

Dr. Hawkey was a teacher in the Victoria School District of Vancouver Island from approximately 1890 to 1894 when he left to attend Medical School in the eastern United States. He had immigrated to Canada from Cornwall, England circa 1886. Prior to leaving for Medical School, Richard Hawkey married one Isabella Scott on 30 August 1893. There is no indication Isabella Hawkey accompanied him to Nelson in 1897. On 04 August 1899 he married Mrs. Laura Brown of Nelson, B.C., in Spokane, Washington. This appears to be a second marriage for both as Mrs. Brown had a son from a previous marriage.

In the 1901 Assessment Roll the 317 Silica Street house consisted of:
4 rooms
1 bath
1 water closet
1 Hose (for fire prevention)

Dr. Hawkey was a man of means and one of many responsibilities. He would have to have made house calls, rounds of his patients and night deliveries of babies, etc. I strongly suspect that he would have owned a carriage and horse. Although, there was a livery close by I doubt it would be open around the clock. There may have been a small stable at the back of the property on the alleyway. As there was a back entry to the house it is likely the residents entered from the rear or alleyway. This would support the suggestion of a small stable or structure which held a horse and/or carriage.

Dr. and Mrs. Hawkey are resident at 706 Stanley Street in 1910. They remained in the same upscale neighbourhood, but likely had a quieter location as it was that much further removed from the Nelson Club.

Mrs. Hawkey sold to F. Walsh in 1909. Sometime after the Assessment of 1911, but before the 1911 Census the house was sold to Albert P. Lorash and his wife Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Lorash was in Real Estate Sales. I believe they were in residence at the time of the June 1911 Census. The area on the Census appears to list one residence in that particular section of the City. For the purposes of the Census the other sites on the block would not be considered residences as one was the Nelson Club and the other the property of the Church.

On 15 October 1912 Lot 16 was sold to James Balding.

1913 and 1914
Lot 16: $660.00
House: $2000.00
Owner: James Balding

On 06 May 1916 Mr. Balding sold to Etta May Hoare.* William H. Hoare and his wife Etta May, nee Campbell, had two young children, Florence, 1905, and Charles, 1908, when they took up residence at 317 Silica Street. This house was to become their family home for approximately 30 years. Mr. Hoare worked as a Conductor for the Canadian Pacific Railroad.



1923
Lot 15 (East 15 feet; West 10 feet):$450+$325.00: $775.00
Owner: William Higgins Hoare
Lot 16: $660.00
House: $2200.00
Owner: Etta May Hoare*

1938
Lot 15:$360.00
Lot 16: $840.00
House: $2200.00
Owner: William Higgins Hoare

Mrs. Hoare died in Vancouver on the 17 May 1937 of complications from surgery.

1942:
Lot 15 (East 15 feet X 120; and, West 10 feet 35 X 120): $360.00
Lot 16: $840.00
House: $2200.00
Owner: W.H. Hoare

A Land Title transfer shows the property sold by Mr. Hoare to Robert Dickson Barnes and his wife, Mary Isabella Barnes* in 1942. The Assessment Record shows the name of W.H. Hoare with a line through it. It would likely be safe to assume that at the time of the Assessment Mr. and Mrs. Barnes owned the property. Robert Dickson Barnes was a three term Mayor of the City of Nelson, Freeman of the City and a Civic Leader.

Mr. Hoare disappears from the City Directory and as a resident of 317 Silica Street in 1946 and no death record in British Columbia can be located.

Directories:
1907 Henderson’s B.C. Gazetteer and Directory:
Dr. R.J. Hawkey, Silica Street

1913 and 1914 City of Nelson Directory:
W.H. Hoare, 317 Silica Street

1919 Wrigley’s Directory:
W.H. Hoare, Conductor, C.P.R. 317 Silica Street

1922 to 1945 inclusive;
W.H. Hoare, 317 Silica Street

1950 – 1951 Nelson City Directory:
Cruickshank, Lyall (Daisy B.) Manager and Secretary of Kootenay Lake General Hospital, 317 Silica Street, Telephone Number: 1439L

I was not able to find Mr. and/or Mrs. Barnes residing at 317 Silica Street, but they may have not subscribed to the directory service.

This house has withstood the test of time which is a positive comment on the quality of design, construction, ownership and the natural resources of the West Kootenays. Now if the walls could talk imagine the stories they would tell!
 
* In 1873 women who owned property in British Columbia became the first in Canada to secure the right to vote in Municipal Elections.

The clipping regarding construction is courtesy of The Nelson Daily Miner, 11 May 1900;  the Hawkey Obituary is courtesy of the Hamilton Spectator, 09 March 1943; the Balding Obituary is courtesy of the Nelson Daily News, 04 July 1931; the Hoare Obituary, the Nelson Daily News, 19 May 1937; and, the Barnes Obituary, the Nelson Daily News, 07 June 1964.

715 Hendryx Street

Style: Vernacular with Arts and Crafts features
Constructed: 1908





1906 Assessment Records
Owner: G.F. and W.W. Beer (known as the Beer Brothers)
Lot 22 assessed value: $250.00
Lot 23 assessed value: $250.00
Lot 24 assessed value: $300.00

1907
November 26, 1907 the lot was divided into North and South and sold. George McKeown purchased North ½ lots 22, 23 and 24.

Owner: George McKeown
North ½ of Lots 22, 23 and 24
Lot 22 assessed value: $300.00
Lot 23 assessed value: $300.00
Lot 24 assessed value: $350.00

1908
Owner: George McKeown
Lot 22 assessed value: $150.00
Lot 23 assessed value: $150.00
Lot 24 assessed value: $200.00
House: $2000.00

Robert George McKeown was born on 10 May 1862 in Ontario, Canada to Arthur and Clarinda McKeown. It is likely he was born in Seymour, Northumberland County, Ontario.

On the 1881 Census of Seymour, Northumberland East, the McKeowns were a farming family of five children.

Arthur McKeown was an Irish Immigrant. I suspect he arrived in Ontario with his parents during the time of the Irish Famine. There is no record of him on the 1851 Census.

Robert George McKeown married Sarah Matilda Sturgeon on 07 February 1894 in North Elmsley, Lanark County, Ontario. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas H. and Jane Sturgeon, nee Cullen. She was born on 29 September 1874 at North Elmsley, Ontario.

Robert was a resident of the United States at the time of the marriage; Sarah, of North Elmsley, Ontario. They started their married life in St. Cloud, Minnesota where Robert was employed with the Railway.

Clarence Ellwood McKeown was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota on 30 June 1895. A sister, Gladys, was born on 23 June 1897.

Sometime after June 1900 or early in 1901 the family had moved to Rossland, British Columbia.

On the1901 Census of Canada, the family is living in Rossland, B.C. Robert is listed as a Brakeman.

On 31 January 1904 Sarah Matilda (Tillie) McKeown died in Trail, B.C. Robert was now widowed with Clarence,10 and Gladys, 8 years of age.

At some point during 1904 -1905 Robert and family moved to Nelson, B.C. As the C.P.R. was a large employer in the City this move was likely for employment purposes.

In an on-line family tree Robert George McKeown and Elizabeth Clara Leggett were married on 12 December 1905 in Newboro, Ontario. This family tree is rife with misinformation so the marriage date is questionable. There are no supporting documents and the marriage is not listed in the Register of Marriages for Ontario.

According to the Obituary of Elizabeth Clara McKeown she arrived in Nelson in 1905 and married Robert George McKeown later that year. There is no marriage registered in the database of British Columbia Marriages.

It does appear Elizabeth arrived in Nelson in 1905 and entered into a relationship with Robert McKeown. They were not strangers as Elizabeth was a first cousin of Sarah Matilda, the first wife of Robert McKeown. Their respective parents were siblings.

Elizabeth was born on 25 January 1876 in South Crosby, Leeds County, Ontario to Thomas and Sarah Leggett, nee Sturgeon. At the time of the 1881 Census Elizabeth was the fourth of seven children. They were a farming family.

It was not uncommon for a sister or close family member to come to the assistance of a Widower with young children.

Georgia Ethel McKeown was born in Nelson on 09 October 1906. A sister, Myrtle Gordon, was born on 06 December 1907.

On the 1911 Census the family is living at 45 Hendryx Street, Nelson, B.C. (Note the houses were renumbered at a later date.)

Robert George McKeown continued to be employed in rail transportation, ending his career as a Conductor on the City of Nelson car lines. He died, in his home at 715 Hendryx Street, of Myocarditis, on 22 September 1932. He was buried in the Nelson Cemetery on 26 September 1932.

1939
Lot 22 assessed value: $550.00
Lot 23 assessed value: $550.00
Lot 24 assessed value: $550.00
House assessed value: $2650.00

The house is still owned by Elizabeth McKeown, but she is resident at #202, The Terrace Apartments, Nelson, B.C.

1942
Lot 22 assessed value: $550.00
Lot 23 assessed value: $550.00
Lot 24 assessed value: $550.00
House assessed value: $2650.00

According to the City Directory, School Teacher, J. Claire Loomer and family resided in the house as of 1943. The Loomers resided in the home until 1958. The son was an Olympic athlete.

1958
The new owner is now Willard M.O. Pederson and Doris Pederson.
Lot 22 assessed value: $400.00
Lot 23 assessed value: $400.00
Lot 24 assessed value: $400.00
House assessed value: $2540.00

Elizabeth Clara McKeown died at Kootenay Lake Hospital on 28 October 1965 of Bronchial Pneumonia. She was buried, next to her husband, on 01 November 1965.

It appears the children gradually left home. Clarence moved to Ontario where he was drafted under the Military Services Act of 1917 into the Canadian Expeditionary Forces at Smiths Falls, on 20 October 1917. He returned to Nelson briefly after the war as indicated in the Directory of 1920. In 1930 he appears on the U.S. Census of St. Paul, Minnesota working as a Cook in a restaurant. By the late 1940s he is a resident of Glendora City, County of Los Angeles, California. He appears to have married by 1952, as a wife, Eleanor, now appears on the Voter’s List and is resident at the same address. He died in San Diego in February 1974.

Gladys appears in the 1930 U.S. Census of Los Angeles, California married to one Arthur Christiansen. There are no children listed. Gladys died on 11 October 1984 at San Diego, California. Arthur died on 07 February 1984 at San Diego, California.

According to her Obituary Georgia married Philip Robinson in August 1942. This date is questionable as Georgia regularly made trips over the Canada/U.S. Border into Washington State as a single woman as late as 1946. I suspect the date should read 1947. Prior to this she lived with her Mother and taught school in the area. She died in Kelowna, B.C. on 21 November 1995.

Myrtle Gordon McKeown moved to Ontario as a young lady. She was employed at a major Trust Company until her retirement. Following the death of her sister, Georgia, she moved to Kelowna, B.C. in 1996. Myrtle died in Kelowna on 03 November 2004 and is buried in Summerland, B.C.

This house is a fine example of how tales reside behind the simplest of walls. Take the time to listen!

713 Carbonate Street

Style: Vernacular

Constructed: 1899

The 1899 Assessment Records show the house assessed at $500.00 and the lot at $300.00. The house appears to have been built on speculation by W.E. McCandlish.

According to his Obituary William Edgar McCandlish was born in 1850 in Ottawa, Ontario. He died on 21 December 1910 at his residence on Victoria Street, age 60 years. He left a wife, Eliza, and 10 children. A son, William Edgar Jr., married on 26 November 1902.

On the 1901 Census the house is assessed at $500.00 and the lot at $$300.00. The owner is A. Lochead. The residence consists of  8 rooms, 1 bath and 1 water closet. There may be an error in the number of rooms as the value of the house is not consistent with the size noted.

A Plumbing Permit was issued on 12 July 1900 (Final Inspection). This would allow for hook up to the City Sewage System (indoor plumbing). It appears Mr. Lochead increased the value of the house by adding the plumbing and other amenities.

On 26 November 1907 the property is sold to W.S. Pearcy. The house is valued at $700.00 while the lot remains the same. In 1910 renovations to the house are noted in the revised assessment value of $1500.00.

In 1912 the house belongs to C.W. Walton.  Mr. Walton arrived in Nelson in 1911 and it appears shortly thereafter bought this house.

Mr. Walton was the owner/operator of Walton Boat Works. They made some of the finest boats to ever grace Kootenay Lake. These craft are coveted by Collectors today. Walton Boat Works was commissioned by Lewis Gilbert to construct the speed boat, the “Ladybird”. The “Ladybird” set a world speed record of 68 mph in 1933 (photo above left).

Do not let an exterior fool you.  These old houses have many tales to tell!  You just have to listen...

The photograph of the "Ladybird" is courtesy of the Shawn Lamb Archives http://www.touchstonesnelson.ca/

924 Silica Street

Style: Late Victorian

Constructed: 1901

A Plumbing Permit states the house was under construction on 23 April 1901.



The Permit also indicates the property fronted onto Park Street at that time.

The house was completed just prior to the 1901 Assessment. The residence consisted of 6 rooms, 1 water closet, 1 bath and 1 hose (for fire protection).

The 1901 assessed value of the house was $1600.00, Lots 11 and 12 at $200.00 apiece. The owner of the house is Jacob Arthur Knauf. He purchased the lots from David McBeath in the preceding year. On 28 October 1909 the Lot 12 and the house are transferred into the name of Mrs. Laura Knauf.*

Jacob Arthur Knauf, bricklayer, married Laura Grant at Vancouver on 20 November 1902.  This was their first home as a married couple. Mrs. Knauf was a Nurse.

Assessment 1915

Lot 11: $330.00
Owner: J.A. Knauf
Lot 12: $355.00
House: $2000.00
Owner: Mrs. Laura Knauf

Mrs. Laura Knauf died 25 February 1918 at the age of 40 years of Pneumonia and Heart Failure. She fell ill performing her duties. This may have been the first wave of Influenza prior to the Spanish Flu Pandemic. Mr. Knauf died 04 April 1954 at the age of 84 years.

If you look closely and beyond the paint you will see a house constructed brick by brick by a craftsman.  These types of houses are few and far between in the City.

* In 1873 women who owned property in British Columbia became the first in Canada to secure the right to vote in Municipal Elections.

515 Silica Street

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.

Isabella Arthur joined her husband soon after the death of their first child in January 1891. Another child was lost before they successfully started a family in 1899 with the birth of Margaret (below left).

 

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.

Drs. Edward Charles and Isabella Lennox Arthur, M.D. were founding  members of the City of Nelson. Their contributions to present day Nelson are too numerous to list in this Blog.

To learn more of this remarkable couple please visit:

http://www.historyofnelsonbc.ca/

I can only imagine the tales behind these walls!

The pictures of Drs. Edward Charles and Isabella Lennox Arthur, M.D.; and, Margaret Arthur are courtesy of the Shawn Lamb Archives http://www.touchstonesnelson.ca/

806 Vernon Street

Style: Late Victorian

Constructed: 1914

Architect: It has the features of an Alexander Carrie designed home.


The house was constructed for Florence McKinnon*, wife of Captain Lachlan McKinnon.

According to the City of Nelson Plumbing Records the application was made on 18 May 1914. I suspect the land was sold to the McKinnon family in mid to late 1913, after the 1913 Assessment and the house was constructed and completed after the 1914 Assessment date. This would explain why the value appears on the 1915 Roll. In 1914 the assessed value of Lot 4 is $1,600.00. The house first appears in 1915 and is assessed at $3,000.00; the lot remains at the same value.

The lot was sold by R. Cameron McLeod of Vancouver, B.C. This was one of several lots purchased by Mr. McLeod on speculation.

Mary Florence Brennan was born in Ottawa, Ontario on 16 August 1873. She married Lachlan McKinnon in New Westminster in 1891. I am unable to verify the birth and marriage dates as neither appear in the databases searched. Mary Florence died in Nelson on 22 February 1960, age 86 years.

Lachlan McKinnon was born on Prince Edward Island in 1869. He died in Nelson on 21 June 1922, age 53 years.

In 1897 they moved to Nakusp, B.C. and in 1900 moved to Nelson, B.C. Captain McKinnon was a Captain of various lake boats.

The McKinnon family had 3 children: Elizabeth A., Leo Sylvester Barrett and Cliff G. J.

Leo Sylvester Barrett was born on 16 January 1892 in New Westminster; married Florence Mary Choquette on 01 October 1919 in Nelson; and, died on 09 June 1979, age 87 years in Vancouver, B.C. Florence McKinnon died 03 March 1978 age 80 years, in Vancouver, B.C. They had at least 1 son, Leo Joseph, born in 1919, died 15 August 2002, age 81 years in Vancouver, B.C.

Elizabeth A. was born on 28 May 1899 in Revelstoke, B.C. and died on 06 November 1978, age 79 years in Nelson, B.C.

Cliff G.J. was born 08 August 1900 in Arrowhead, B.C. No further information is available at this time.

The Fire Insurance Map of 1899 shows a vacant lot while the Map of 1923 shows the house sitting on Lot 4.

Today the house serves as a Hostel.

* In 1873 women who owned property in British Columbia became the first in Canada to secure the right to vote in Municipal Elections.

804 Stanley Street

Style: Late Victorian with Queen Anne

Constructed: 1899

This house was constructed for William A. Macdonald, Q.C., for an estimated cost of $3500.00. Mr. MacDonald was a “Founding Father” of the City of Nelson having been a signatory to the 1897 Articles of Incorporation. The family moved to Nelson, circa 1896, from Manitoba. In 1913, Mr. MacDonald was appointed a Supreme Court Jurist sitting in Vancouver, B.C. He died in Vancouver on 01 October 1946 at the age of 86 years.

In 1902 Mr. MacDonald was the Crown Prosecutor in the Henry Rose Murder Trial. Henry Rose, found guilty of the murder of John Cole, was sentenced to death and has the auspicious honour of being the last man to be hanged in the City on November 21, 1902. An excellent website account by Rosemarie Parent can be found here: www.alhs-archives.com/articles/henryrose.html and a somewhat glamorized account here: www.kmcmag.com/features/KMC15_featureF.pdf

Upon the relocation of the MacDonald family to Vancouver the house was sold on 26 March 1909 to William Waldie, an area businessman and entrepreneur. The 1910 Assessment Rolls show an assessed value of $2700.00.

Mr. Waldie was the Principal owner of the Edgewood Lumber Company which was in the business of manufacturing rough and dressed lumber, shingles, lath, and assorted wood products. Mr. Waldie bought into the company in 1908 and was the principal owner through 1928. By May 1910 he had moved the operations from Edgewood, B.C. to what was originally Sproat’s Landing, near present day Castlegar. To provide wood for the Castlegar mill, known locally as “Waldie’s Mill,” the company bought and sold timber licenses. By January 1929, the corporate name had changed to William Waldie and Sons Ltd. The Mill closed its doors in 1961 and was razed by fire in 1963.

A history of the Mill may be viewed here:

www.basininstitute.org/home/album/castlegar_08.html

This Mill was not the precursor to “Celgar” as previously noted in the 2007 Heritage Home Tour brochure. "Celgar" purchased her interests (licenses) in 1952. Celgar was not located on the site of the Waldie Mill.

This home was part of the 2007 Heritage Home Tour.

The photograph of the "Invitation to a Hanging" is from Touchstones Nelson http://www.touchstonesnelson.ca/