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Spuraway 1911 to 2011 Janet Morningstar & Robert Taylor Spuraway 1911 to 2011 Copyright © 2012 Janet Morningstar and Robert Taylor All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, audio recording or otherwise – without the written permission of the publisher or a photocopying licence from Access Copyright, Toronto, Canada. Library and Archives Canada Cataloging in Publication Janet Morningstar and Robert Taylor Spuraway 1911 – 2011 ISBN 978-1-77084-292-2 Published by Janet Morningstar and Robert Taylor Printed by First Choice Books Victoria, British Columbia Front cover Painting of 1911 log house [Spuraway], believed by Lilette Mahon, built by Japanese carpenters for Edward Mahon Courtesy of North Vancouver Museum & Archives Inventory #7738 2 Spuraway 1911 to 2011 Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 Preface 4 Acknowledgements 5 Summary 6 Chapters 1 The Early Years 1891 – 1910 7 2 The Mahon Years 1910 – 1923 10 3 The Herrmann Years 1924 – 1945 27 4 The McDermott Years 1945 – 1953 36 5 The Gibson Years 1953 – 1965 39 6 The Estate Apartments 1966 43 7 Strata Property 1980 49 8 The Centenary 2011 51 Epilogue 60 Appendices 63 The appendices are numbered consistently with the relevant chapter 1.1 Plan for the Crown Grant 1891 1.2 Crown Grant 1891 2.1 Plan for the Southerly 40 acres 1910 2.2 Census 1911 2.3 Express Newspaper 1911 2.4 Fireplace mantel 2.5 Railway right-of-way plan 1923 2.6 West Vancouver Assessor‟s and Collector‟s Rolls 1912-1923 3 West Vancouver Assessor‟s and Collector‟s Rolls 1924-1941 4 Renovation Plans 1945 6.1 Province Newspaper 1966 6.2 Spuraway International Land Corporation Brochure 1966 6.3 Apartment Building Plan detail 1968 6.4 Reference Plan Portion of Lot 3 1964 and 1965 7 Strata Plans 1978 8 Centenary Guest List A Works Consulted and Further Reading B References 3 Spuraway 1911 to 2011 Preface The log house built in 1911 that became Spuraway is mentioned in various local sources. However, as far as the authors are aware there is no publication dedicated solely to the history of the log house and Spuraway. History is a delicate thing and one of the goals of this publication is to gather the history of Spuraway into one place, thus protecting and preserving. The authors relied on contemporary and original documents whenever possible and these sources and references are included. During the research the authors discovered a number of inconsistencies in the records and have included all in this history. This book is a collection of evidence; a reference for those interested in their environment and why and how these things came to be. It is the fascinating story of a house that reflects the history of the North Shore: First Nations, the lumber industry, the Capilano Japanese community, the incorporation of the District of West Vancouver, the railway, the development of a farm and equestrian centre, the effects of The Great Depression, and finally the evolution into an apartment estate. In addition, the authors looked at the history of the log house as part of the development of the North Shore and the events that affected life at Spuraway. The lot where the log house was built the following spring was purchased in December 1910, the month that the North Vancouver streetcar system reached Capilano Road close to the Keith Road Bridge. The same owner, Edward Mahon, purchased and developed the Capilano Suspension Bridge property during this period where members of his family lived and operated the business. The Japanese community living near the Capilano River and delta played a major role in this story during the first part of the twentieth century. It is the log house that grew into a mansion that is the centre of the story. Built by Japanese carpenters, the most distinctive feature is log construction combined with a curved oriental-style roof and huge overhanging eaves, and includes an unusual carved stone fireplace of Aboriginal and Japanese Ainu folk- art themes. This house is one of the oldest buildings in West Vancouver and is largely original. In the 1920s the log house was enlarged, other buildings were constructed and the estate was named Spuraway by its second owner. The estate was a family home, a farm, an equestrian centre, and served as a community centre as the owners welcomed friends, neighbours, and community organizations to enjoy the facilities. Four families owned and lived in the log house, left their enhancements, and brought it to life during its time as a private residence. Named the Spuraway Club in 1966 when the nine-acre site was developed into a residential community – an apartment estate – the log house continues to be a private club for the residents and has been renamed the Lodge. A centenary celebration of the story of Spuraway was held in April 2011 which led to the creation of this history. 4 Spuraway 1911 to 2011 Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the staff of the West Vancouver Archives, Shaunna Moore and Carol Howie, and the North Vancouver Museum & Archives, Daien Ide & Janet Turner, who provided advice, guidance, and endless patience in ensuring the accuracy and appropriateness of the information from the Archives included in this history. The staff of the Japanese Canadian National Museum, especially Linda Kawamoto Reid, researched the history and identities of the Japanese builders of the log house, interviewed their descendents, and filled a void in the record. The authors are indebted to the following organizations that provided information, photographs, and documents: the Squamish Nation, the West Vancouver Memorial Library, the West Vancouver Historical Society, the Vancouver Public Library, and the Vancouver Archives. Walter O. Volovsek, historian and author of The Green Necklace: the Vision Quest of Edward Mahon, kindly gave his consent for use of his work, as recognized in the references, and provided invaluable advice for the authors. Mr. Volovsek extends his acknowledgement for the support of the Mahon family, especially Marolyn, in giving him privileged access to all records dealing with the lives of Edward, Lilette, and Bryan Mahon. The log house (Spuraway) families were most generous in allowing the authors to use their memories, material, and photographs to create an accurate history. The Mahon family: Marolyn Mahon, Lilette Mahon Player, & Ross Mahon The Herrmann & McDermott families: Valerie McDermott & Brian McDermott The Gibson family: Gordon Gibson Jr. The writer Eleanore Dempster, author of the Laughing Bridge, a Personal History of the Capilano Suspension Bridge, also gave permission to use her work as referenced. Gary Van Norman, son of the architect Charles Van Norman responsible for the 1945 renovations to the house, provided copies of land titles, information, and architectural plans. The people involved in the development of the 1966 estate apartments by International Land Corporation and Logie Brothers Construction, Gil Bradner, Bob De Wolfe, Fred Russell, and Lynda Lehn (Logie) were gracious in granting interviews to the authors and also provided memorabilia. Bill Chapman, of Chapman Land Surveying Ltd, the company that surveyed the property for the strata development, provided 1978 plans of the property. In the weeks leading to the Centenary of the log house a number of people provided lectures and presentations in the Lodge (the log house) which added greatly to the sense of history: historian and SFU professor Henry Ewert, author of numerous history books, including The Story of the BC Electric Railway Company, presented the development of the North Shore Street Car System; Sharon Proctor, author of Time Travel in North Vancouver presented Edward Mahon and the Planned Observatory on Grouse Mountain; Jim Carter and Francis Mansbridge of the West Vancouver Historical Society presented excerpts from the new book, Cottages to Community, that celebrates West Vancouver‟s centenary in 2012; and Don Grant of the Hollyburn Heritage Society explored the Early Days of Skiing on Hollyburn. The authors are indebted to Barbara Murphy for her careful and meticulous proofreading and thoughtful suggestions, and to Reika Nishio for her research of the Japanese community and providing the web access and IT services for the on-line edition of the book. 5 Spuraway 1911 to 2011 Summary First Nations Lands 1891 Apr 25th Crown Grant registered for District Lot 763 (160 acres) 1892-1907 Keith Road was planned as the main North Shore highway from Deep Cove to Eagle Harbour, and Keith Road Bridge and other bridges constructed 1910 Edward Mahon bought the southern ¼, 40 acres, of Lot 763 and acquired controlling interest in the Capilano Suspension Bridge lots on the opposite side of the Capilano River 1911 April The log house was built, on the southern ¼ of Lot 763, by Japanese carpenters simultaneously to the building of the Teahouse at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The original house included an Aboriginal-style carved fireplace mantel 1912 Mar 15th The District of West Vancouver was incorporated, including District Lot 763 1917 Edward Mahon negotiated a railway right-of-way, through Lot 763, used by the Capilano Timber Co 1917 Keith Road Bridge was severely damaged by the river and was rebuilt 1923 Jul 23rd The 40 acres were subdivided into Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6. The log house was in Lot 3 1923 Dec 24th George Herrmann purchased Lot 3 and at an unknown date named the property Spuraway 1924-1929 Lot 3 was developed into a farm and equestrian centre with additional buildings. The original small North Wing was demolished and a larger cedar-sided wing added to the log house changing it into a spacious home 1930s The Great Depression affected Spuraway 1933 Dec George Herrmann sold the last of his horses due to the Depression 1935 Nov 4th Fire damaged the roof of the original log house but it was rebuilt 1945 July 18th Lot 3 (Spuraway) was sold to the Herrmanns‟ daughter Adele and son-in-law Ernest McDermott 1945 The McDermotts engaged architect Charles Van Norman to enclose the open patio to create a bar and also to renovate the kitchen 1953 May 29th Gordon Gibson Sr.

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