Going back in time - 100 years ago in Vernon

Published: July 25, 2012 1:00 AM LINDA JENKINS Special to the Morning Star

The Vernon Court House was constructed between 1912 and 1914. Greater Vernon Museum Photo

A year to remember is 1912. That’s when the greatest steamship in the world, the Titanic, went down after a collision with an iceberg.  What was Vernon like in 1912?  The period from 1890 to 1913 was a time of growth and development for the prosperous community of Vernon. It was evolving from a village to a thriving town. In 1911, the population was 2,671 and the city speed limit was 15 miles per hour.  Within this period, the post office opened and the Hudson`s Bay Company opened its third store on Barnard Avenue (30th Avenue). The militia camp opened on Mission Hill and a second CPR station was constructed. From 1912 to 1914, the present-day court house on 27th Street, was built.  The building was designed by Thomas Hooper, a famous Vancouver architect, who designed well known landmarks in Vancouver, such as the Vancouver Carnegie Library. The architectural style of the court house is classical revival.  It creates the feeling of a Greek temple with its ionic columns supporting a central block with flanking wings on each side.  The building was constructed of white granite from a quarry on the south side of Ellison Park on Okanagan Lake.
Back to 1912, when the All Saints Anglican hall was built as a scaled-down version of the 1907 church which burned down. The hall was moved to its present location on 27th Street. The Bank of Montreal was built in the high Victorian Queen Ann revival style in 1893.  It was moved in 1909 to its present location at 2908 32nd St. This building is valued as one of the earliest important brick commercial buildings in the Interior. The Bank of Commerce, which is currently Phoenix Steak House, was built in 1913/14 and is noted for its beaux arts design. This well loved building is located at 3117 30th Avenue.
Another fine 1912/13 architectural example is the Urquhart House still standing at 2501 23rd Ave.  This warm and classical home was designed by architect O. Beaston Hatchard, in what was then known as the Pine Grove subdivision. The twin-gabled bungalow, with matching carriage house, is also of merit due to its fine detailing of half timbering, triangular dormers and stately cupolas.
An historical footnote from 1912:
In April 1912, the Vernon News reported the arrival of Baron and Baroness Herry and stated the baron’s family and retinue will form a welcome addition to the population of the district. The baron secured 76 acres to plant orchards and another 18 acres to build a home.  In her later years, the baroness employed her artistic talents for sketching and painting landscapes of the Okanagan.  In 2002, the Vernon Public Art Gallery mounted a retrospective of her artwork.
This is the inaugural article of a new series of historical vignettes on buildings and landmarks that we all know by sight, but may not know the people who created them or the dreams they had.
Linda Jenkins wrote the article for the Heritage Advisory Committee of Vernon, with editing help by  Bill Hamilton and Shelagh McGinn. Special thanks to the Greater Vernon Museum for historical references and pictures.

Pendulum swings for Vernon heritage clock

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 05, 2012 1:00 AM

The pieces are coming together but public support is required to make Vernon’s heritage chime.  An authentic pendulum has arrived at the Greater Vernon Museum — the last major item needed to restore the clock that was in Vernon’s 1912 post office and most recently in the tower on 31st Avenue. “It’s an important Vernon artifact,” said curator Ron Candy of the time piece. “People remember the clock, hearing it chiming  or looking up and getting the time.” The goal is to restore the clock and install it inside the museum, but the $20,000 project cost is daunting for the non-profit agency. “We’re looking for community support,” said Candy, adding  that some money has been raised. The clock was installed in Vernon’s post office in 1912 and relocated to the downtown clock tower in 1967 after the post office was demolished. New digital pieces are being installed in the tower and the original clock faces have been given to the museum. Other original parts have been found at O’Keefe Ranch. “What was missing was the pendulum. We couldn’t find it,” said Candy. A letter was sent to Smith & Sons in England — the original manufacturer — to access information to recreate the pendulum. But that wasn’t necessary. “They  searched through the warehouse and they had an original pendulum,” said Candy. Volunteer Garry Garbutt is putting all of the mechanisms together, and the next step will be constructing a giant case to contain the clock. The base of the case will be nine-feet-by-nine feet and it will rise 14-feet-high. “It’s going to take up a lot of real estate,” said Candy of the museum’s cramped quarters. It’s hoped the clock will be up and running this year to celebrate its centennial, and for the first time ever, the mechanisms will be visible. “People will be able to get up close and see everything. It will be like you’re in the clock,” said Candy. For more information or to donate to the clock restoration project, call 250-542-3142.

Caring House Opens

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 20 October 2011 17:08

Vernon has a new facility that's being hailed as a first of its kind in BC. The Caring House in East Hill provides a comfortable place for family members to stay, while their loved ones are getting medical treatment.  Jennifer Strachan from We Care Home Health Services says the non-profit home is funded by sponsors and grants. "The unique thing about the model we've developed is that the sponsors that do come on board with us to sponsor the Caring House, the proceeds that we will be making from the house, will be donated back into the community again." The former bed and breakfast (Tuck Inn) heritage house in East Hill is owned by Holly Malfair of We Care Health Services, who has donated it to a society to run. "The basic idea is to provide a place for people to come and stay, patients, family, friends of loved ones that are sick in the hospital or are passing away in palliative care at Hospice House." Malfair says most guests will be referred to the non-profit facility by social workers, doctors or nurses. There's three bedrooms in the house built in 1905, and families will be charged 40-dollars a night.  A grand opening for the facility was held Thursday with local dignitaries participating.
Janice Foster, representing MLA Eric Foster, Holly Malfair and Mayor Wayne Lippert cut the ribbon at the opening of The Caring House (P McIntyre photo)

Downtown Clock To Start Ticking Before Christmas, Promises City Staff - Council okays 15-thousand for high tech heart in old-fashioned clock

Kate Bouey 105.7 SUNFM 9/26/2011

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(pictured: 1912 insides to clock)

We should be able to set out watches to it before Christmas. That's the promise of City staff now that Vernon council has approved 15-thousand dollars be used on GPS technology to get the clock, across from the post office, running again. Councillor Patrick Nicol is satisfied. ``That was alot better than the other version,'' says Nicol. ``That could have climbed to 50, 60-thousand (dollars) quite easily.'' The more expensive option would have entailed fixing and installing the original 1912 mechanism. It's now going into the museum. Councillor Shawn Lee, who had mixed feelings about it, told council there was also a safety issue involved. The wrought iron device is very heavy and it's presumed the clock tower might not have dealt well with the weight.

No Tick Tock for the Antique Clock - The hands on a heritage clock in Vernon's downtown core will remain still

Kate Bouey 8/9/2011 105.7 SUNFM

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No quick fixes for Vernon's heritage clock which sits, unmoving, in front of the museum. Council has directed staff to seek grant money to repair the 1912 mechanism. Councillor Sean Lee spoke against a cheap, digital alternative for the inside.  Council has directed staff to seek grant money to repair the old mechanism. Lee also called work to be done on the clock tower which he said had gotten a ``little mangy'' over the years.

Time may run out for heritage clock

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: August 07, 2011 1:00 AM

Heritage values or fiscal pressures could determine the fate of a Vernon landmark.  City staff will recommend Monday that council spend $15,000 to install electronic components in the clock tower at 32nd Avenue and 31st Street because it would cost $50,000 to refurbish the 1912 mechanism. “I really want to maintain the clock because of the heritage value,” said Coun. Shawn Lee.  “It’s not just about telling time. If we don’t have a vision for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, there will be no heritage left for them.” However, Lee says he is aware of the financial challenges facing the city and taxpayers and he struggles with the $50,000 required for restoration. “It could be an interesting discussion,” he said of the council debate Monday. The clock was installed in Vernon’s post office in 1912. It was relocated to its current location in 1967 after the original post office building was demolished. One city employee was responsible for maintaining the clock but he retired a few years ago and the clock hasn’t functioned properly for about four years. Because of the specialized nature of the work, the city only received two quotes. “One quote from a local firm is for refurbishment of the existing clock mechanism for approximately $40,000 and is estimated to take approximately three months to complete,” said Shirley Koenig, operations manager, in a written report. “Additional staff time will be required to remove and replace the clock as well as upgrade the tower and replace the plexiglass with lexan covers. Total cost of this work is estimated at $50,000.” The second quote was $8,060 from a Vancouver firm to replace the existing mechanism with electronic movements and a GPS controller.  “Additional staff time to refurbish the tower complete with installation of lexan covers will also be required, bringing the total cost of this option to $15,000,” said Koenig. Coun. Bob Spiers​ doesn’t believe a decision on the clock should be made right away. “If we can get a grant, we can then take it from there,” he said. “It’s a lot of money either way in this day and age.”

Pink paint job has city hall seeing red

ctvbc.caDate: Wednesday Aug. 3, 2011 

A growing number of Chilliwack, B.C., residents are standing behind a little pink clothing store that is making city hall see red because of its unique paint job.
When the owner of Corner Hut vintage clothing, Twyla Johnson, chose to paint her exterior walls to match her logo last month, she soon learned that not all colours are created equal. After painting its exterior wall a bright pinkish-purple colour, someone complained to city hall that it was not one of the 75 approved heritage colours submitted by the local business association. A city enforcement officer told owner Johnson to paint it in an approved colour by August 5 or face a hefty fine for breaking the bylaw. Mayor Sharon Gaetz defends the city's action, saying it has an obligation to respond to every complaint. "When there is a complaint the city has to respond and the city did respond, and apparently the colour was not part of the palate," she told CTV News.  The crackdown by the colour police is being called an attack on the small business and its unique style. Customers like Gary Johnson are signing a growing petition against the decision.  "The city should be ashamed of themselves," said Johnson. "They've got roads to clean, they've got crass to cut. They've got better things to do than harass somebody about making their place look really nice. CTV News has learned that the complaint came from the local business improvement association themselves. Interview requests with the organization were refused, but a spokesperson said that they were quite surprised by the public backlash. Mayor Gaetz said the city can only do so much to help. "We're suggesting to the BIA if they want to add other colours to their choice they're welcome to do so. But our job is to enforce the bylaws without impartiality," she said. Pink supporters have vowed to keep up their fight until the Friday deadline.

List of Provincially-owned Historic Sites

For further information on Provincially-owned Historic Sites, see:

Historic Hat Creek Ranch Cache Creek, BC

• Barkerville Historic Town
• Cottonwood House
• Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse
• Emily Carr House
• Fort Steele Town
• The Grist Mill at Keremeos
• Hat Creek Ranch
• Kilby Store and Farm
• Point Ellice House
• Historic Yale

Kelowna council debate foreshadows pressure on spending

Kathy Michaels - Kelowna Capital News Published: December 07, 2010 7:00 PM
Much ado over what’s relatively nothing at a regular meeting of Kelowna city council offered a bit of insight into upcoming budget deliberations. “If this is any indication…it will be a very interesting day,” said Mayor Sharon Shepherd, following a lengthy conversation among councillors that started over the proposal to add $490 to an annual $8,000 payment to the Central Okanagan Heritage Society. That hike in pay, explained city staffer Maria Stanborough, would reflect the cost of living increases that had passed unacknowledged over the last three years. It was decided in years past that it would be most cost effective to contract the work of distributing $30,000 in grants to the society for the yearly stipend. They assess financial aid applications from Kelowna residents who do work to preserve historic buildings—be they commercial or residential— and answer queries about the nature of the program. The $8,000 contract has been in existence for several years, and is set to continue for more.

“If you look at this, they give $7,500 every quarter, and it costs us $2,000 (each time),” said Coun. Graeme James.  “I just find that very extravagant.”  Coun. Charlie Hodge was on the same page, pointing out that he wouldn’t be “comfortable” adding $490 to a price-tag he already finds exorbitant. “We have a lot of non-profit societies that work for free,” said Coun. Andre Blanleil, pointing out that eventually the cost of the service could surpass the funds doled out.  “So I struggle with this as well…I would support leaving it at $8,000.”  Couns. Robert Hobson and Michele Rule viewed the cost/service ratio more favorably.  “I know the amount of time that staff put in is considerable, and the salary paid is less than $20 an hour,” Hobson said, pointing out that city staff, should they take on the project, would make a lot more.  “It’s a stretch to say it’s extravagant in my view. I think they’re taking an easy target, frankly.”  While the kibitzing continued for some time, the point of the exercise was less about the actual dollar figure than it was looking at the way the city pays for services, argued Coun. Luke Stack. “This is a microcosm,” he said, pointing out that it’s similar to other issues that will come forward in the budget. When all was said and done, council put aside the cost of living adjustment for a later date, noting the society and the $8,000 stipend will be revisited also.

Heritage homes focus of new grants initiative

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 28, 2010 6:00 PM

Preservation of heritage homes will be getting a financial boost.  On Tuesday, Vernon city council decided to establish a program that provides grants to residents who retain their heritage properties.“It enables owners of heritage homes to proceed with maintenance,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough.“The heritage advisory committee wanted to create an incentive program to keep people on the heritage registry.”  The registry identifies heritage properties. It is voluntary to join and withdraw from.  Under the incentive program, a maximum annual grant of $500 per heritage registry property will be available. Grants will be awarded towards material and labour for completed works, and the funding is for up to 50 per cent of the value of the project.  “It would be at the scale of fencing or repainting the home,” said Dean Strachan, a planning assistant.  The budget for heritage grants will rise from $15,000 to $61,000 in 2012 to cover the program.  Opposition came from Councillors Patrick Nicol and Jack Gilroy.  “Providing that ($500) annually is something I don’t support on principle,” said Nicol.  Coun. Bob Spiers excused himself from the discussion because he owns a heritage home.

Lightning sparks blaze at Vernon heritage home

Tue, 2010-05-18 09:00. Betty Selin - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM:

The storm that rolled through the Okanagan Monday night caused a house fire in Vernon. Fire officials say a heritage house at the top of suicide hill in Vernon was hit with lightning at about 8:30 p.m. The fire broke out in the attic and crews were on the scene for a few hours. The department says they received several calls regarding lightning during the storm, but this was the only fire. No word on injuires or the extent of damage to the home.

Vernon Heritage Register - 3.1 MB PDF
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Lightning causes fire at heritage home
Rachael Kimola - Castanet May 18, 2010

A lightning strike started a fire at one of the North Okanagan's heritage homes. The 100-year-old building, located in the 2000 block of 30th Avenue, took a direct hit of lightening around 8:30 p.m. Monday. Deputy Fire Chief, Lawrie Skolrood, says the strike started a fire on the roof. “It mostly stayed in the attic, but it was a very stubborn fire. The combination of old structure and new renovations made for a challenge. We had quite a time making sure the fire was extinguished,” says Skolrood. He says they did extensive salvage during the fire to make sure items such as furniture on the floor below weren't unduly damaged by the water. “It's a standard practice that we do to help protect what we can by covering them in plastic tarps.” Skolrood says four people live in the heritage house, two of whom were home at the time. “Everyone got out okay, a neighbour alerted them to the fact the roof was on fire.” He says lightning caused house fires happen, but they are rare. “Most of the problem we have with lightning caused fires comes from wildfires. We don't get many structure fires that are lightning caused.” (Photo: Contributed - Curt Jensen)
(Photo: Contributed - Teresa Deak)

CHBC VIDEO Evening News Money well spent? (Caetani House)

http://www.chbcnews.ca/video/index.html?releasePID=HLj8klsphKGGdQ_QeVhvkItMjGYJtIiP

City investigates stability of Caetani House

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 11, 2010 7:00 PM

The City of Vernon wants assurances that a heritage site is worth fixing up. Staff will inspect the integrity of the Caetani House before council considers a $52,342 grant request from the Caetani Cultural Centre Society to replace the roof, furnace, boiler and galvanized piping. “We keep throwing money into heritage buildings,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy. “Before we do that, we should check the foundation and make sure it’s viable.”Coun. Bob Spiers believes a full inspection is necessary to ensure tax dollars are being spent wisely. “It’s a precautionary step to make sure the building is worth putting a roof and furnace into,” he said.

The Pleasant Valley Road house was built in 1896 by Samuel Sommerville, a tax collector and city councillor. Several additions increased the size of the house including a new wing which was added in 1903. In 1913, the property was sold to H.G. Mueller, a hotel owner, and then in 1921, it was acquired by Italian immigrant Leone Caetani. It remained with that family until artist Sveva Caetani died in 1994. The house was given to the city so it could be used by the community for artistic activities.

Gilroy is reluctant to speculate on what the city will do if staff determines the building’s stability is questionable. “Then we’ll have to make a decision on whether we use taxpayers’ dollars to replace the foundation, which will be expensive,” he said. “I want to preserve heritage buildings but they only go so far.” Spiers also doesn’t want to consider the city’s options if the inspection doesn’t come back positive. “Putting more money into a building in that condition is not something I’d want to do. But it (review) is not likely to come back that way,” he said.

Caetani House is operated by the non-profit Caetani Cultural Centre Society.

Council Supports Building Named After Cail

Peter McIntyre Monday, 08 March 2010 10:32

A local group wants a former community leader honoured in a permanent way. The Vernon and District Heritage Society is asking city council to endorse a plan to rename the small brick Science building in Polson Park as the Anna Fulton Cail Heritage Hall.Society president Bob Wilson says in a letter, Cail was a teacher, daughter of two pioneering families (Fulton and Reinhart), and the city's foremost crusader for heritage preservation.Cail passed away last year at age 97.

City council gave unanimous support to the idea with no discussion at its meeting.

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Anna Fulton Cail - Bio at Vernon museum

Heritage Tax Incentives in Kamloops

At http://www.kamloops.ca/communityplanning/northshore.shtml is a section for the Heritage Tax Incentive Program

Some of the highlights are illustrated in the report at left.

Re-posting of Aug 8/08 post.

City tax credits for heritage work

Kelowna Capital News July 31:

Owners of commercial, industrial and institutional buildings can earn city tax credits for restoring their properties to heritage status.City council approved a policy change Monday that provides up to 75 per cent of the eligible costs of the conservation work, applied against their property taxes for 10 years. “To be eligible, property owners can apply for conservation and repair of significant original architectural elements, reconstruction of significant historical features, and restoration of interior elements if they are considered by staff to have significant heritage value,” said city planner Maria Stanborough. The policy has been in place since 2004, but was only implemented once since then. Now city staff has found ways to make the process clearer for applicants and more efficient to administer.This tax incentive is for property owners of heritage registered buildings that are zoned commercial, industrial or institutional and for building rehabilitation efforts other than to create single- or two-family residential.

City council takes axe to heritage tree regulations

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 28, 2009 7:00 PM

Proposed regulations for heritage trees have been cut off at the roots. Vernon council refused Monday to accept a recommendation from the environmental advisory committee that would have forced anyone wanting to cut down a heritage tree to hire an arborist first. They would have also faced “a significant fine” if a tree was removed without the permission of the city. “This has a feeling of interference I’m not comfortable with,” said Coun. Shawn Lee. “I think we need to do something to make it desirable for people to preserve trees. Is there another way? I think this is very heavy-handed.” A heritage tree is considered to be more than 30 years old.Opposition to the recommendation also came from Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe.

The advisory committee had recommended that anyone wanting to remove or significantly alter a heritage tree would have to hire an arborist and provide a report to the city showing the tree is hazardous and must be taken out. “The majority of the committee members felt heritage trees are worthy of protection in the community,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough, committee chairwoman. “Heritage trees have a particular value in our community. They act as landmarks, they add to the community aesthetically and they add habitat values.” While regulations have been shot down, city staff has been instructed to complete an inventory of heritage trees on public and private property.

Heritage register draws fire from council

Wolf Depner - Penticton Western News Published: May 14, 2009

The city's heritage register drew fire as council added the fourth and final batch of identified properties to the list. Council approved the list over the opposition of Coun. Mike Pearce after removing five properties from the final proposed list of 16 properties. Coun. Andrew Jakubeit excused himself from the vote because his business operates out of one of the buildings on the list. The city launched the heritage registry in 2006, adding about 15 properties per year. Identified properties include a mix of public and private buildings. Inclusion on the community heritage register does not equal protection of the property as a heritage site recognized under provincial laws. The register is only a list of properties with identified heritage elements and the register (unlike provincial heritage status) does not preclude their owners from making alterations. But this has not stopped several owners from asking the city to remove their properties from the list. Expressed concerns include dropping property values and the perceived (but false) inability to make alterations. But the register also allows the city to keep tabs on a heritage properties.

Provincial laws -- whether properties are on the register or not — also permit the city to expropriate properties with heritage value.These issues came up again as council agreed to add the shortened list to the final tally. While the majority of council supported the register, at least one member questioned the city's direction. Coun. John Vassilaki — who appeared to belittle the concept of local heritage by noting that he comes from a country where heritage sites are thousands of years old — said the list is too long. "I don't think we have 60 (heritage properties)," he said, adding that this figure might be by 30 properties too long.He also noted that the register does not have any real power. Unless the city is prepared to back up the register, the city is going about it the wrong way, he said. Coun. Judy Sentes acknowledged that the city must do a better job of educating the public about the register. Mayor Dan Ashton echoed this point, noting that identification itself is not a problem. Pearce, meanwhile, pushed for a new approach in adding properties to the list. City officials should seek the explicit consent of owners whose properties have been identified rather than just assuming that owners consent to the addition if they do not object to it.

Tree inventory plan in limbo

Published: May 12, 2009 7:00 PM Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

Plans to protect landmark trees in Vernon continue to get a rough ride. Council decided Monday to seek more information before considering a bylaw that would create an inventory of significant and heritage trees on public and private land. Permits would be required before significantly altering or removing a tree on the list. “I don’t want to be intrusive on people and their right to manage their property,” said Coun. Shawn Lee. “These issues on private land should be handled by private citizens.” Lee first expressed concern about the bylaw when it went before council in April, and he wasn’t satisfied with city staff’s explanation Monday that the bylaw would only apply if land is being developed. “If I were a property owner that has a heritage tree, it’s functioning as a lien if I sell it to a developer,” he said. Brooke Marshall, environmental planner, believed the reaction from developers will be mixed.

“Some developers will see it as a complication and some will see it as a benefit,” she said. Coun. Buffy Baumbrough defends the proposal from the environmental advisory committee. “The idea of having a permit is more to track where the significant trees are and not about denying people from doing what they want on private land,” she said. “The committee was directed by council to look at this.” However, Lee suggests the process may have gone too far. “The bylaw was directed towards public land and it’s putting teeth in it for private land,” he said. A heritage tree is determined to be a tree more than 30 years old.

Heritage tree inventory considered

Published: April 18, 2009 12:00 PM Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

One elected official insists rules protecting old trees could infringe on private property rights. Vernon council is currently considering a proposal from the environmental advisory committee to create an inventory of significant and heritage trees on public and private land. Such a bylaw would require residents to get permits before significantly altering or removing a tree that’s on the list. “I have a strong sense of property,” said Coun. Shawn Lee, adding that there may be reasons for a tree needing to be chopped back or taken out. “It seems a little draconian to me. We don’t need to do this.” Lee is also concerned with a clause in the proposed bylaw that could lead to increased community involvement in the maintenance of boulevard trees. “If it’s on a boulevard, it’s on city property. As a citizen, they are a city responsibility,” he said. A heritage tree is determined to be a tree more than 30 years old, and the environmental advisory committee had several months of discussion about the proposed bylaw. “The biggest concern was ensuring that trees that create a sense of place are considered as significant as long-standing houses,” said Brooke Marshall, environmental planner. Most heritage trees have already been inventoried by the city, and Marshall says residents would not be forced to look after boulevard trees, but if a group wanted to do so, there could be opportunities for them.

Council wants more information from staff before considering the proposed bylaw further, but Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe appears willing to support the concept. “If the committee has looked at it for two years, they have considered most of these things,” she said of Lee’s concerns.