2564 Graham Street

ARCHITECTURE:

This modest single-storey, hip-roofed cottage has a wide frieze surrounding the house. On the left front is a pediment-gabled extension over a cutaway angled bay with moulded panels of diagonal siding under the windows. To its right is an inset porch with turned posts and pilasters, and square balusters. The original glazed and panelled front door has an art glass transom; one-over-one, double-hung sashes with horns are original. Later additions include a rear extension and twin attic dormers on either side with multi-paned casement windows. The house is clad in drop-siding, with shingles in the front gable and on the dormers. There are two corbelled brick chimneys. The house is an example of vernacular Queen Anne style with its asymmetry and details that include the verandah columns and the bay. The house is set in close proximity to the street amongst a grouping of houses of a similar vintage.

The Latham Residence has heritage value as one of several remaining houses from the Hillside Extension subdivision of historic Work Estate and makes a significant contribution to Hillside/Quadra’s rich and varied streetscapes. The house is symbolic of the early pattern of neighborhood settlement as pioneer farms were subdivided for early suburbs. Most of the early houses were built in a vernacular Queen Anne or Italianate style for working class families.

ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:

1892-1916: In 1892, John Latham took out a water permit for the property, and Adam Latham paid the assessment. John Latham (b. Foleshill, Coventry, ENG 1854-1938) married Ann Walker (née Downes, b. Foleshill 1855-1901) in Foleshill in 1878. At the time, John was a weaver like his father; in 1881 he was a miller’s helper and Ann was a weaver. They immigrated here in 1885. John was employed as boilermaker and machinist at Albion Iron Works, one of Victoria’s major industrial sites located on the Upper Harbour. John, 48, married Annie Mary Rowedowns, 19, (b. Coventry, ENG c.1885-?) in the house in 1904. From 1909-15 John was keeper/caretaker at North Ward Park, then Central Park. Annie took their four children to the 1915 San Francisco World’s Fair, and in February 1916 the family emigrated to SF, where John became a watchman with a detective agency. Annie remarried and signed as Annie Andrews on US WWII Draft Cards for their two sons, the last born in 1917 in San Francisco.

OTHER OCCUPANTS:

1917: Carpenter Theodore “George” Sheriff (b. ENG 1881-1967) married Dorothy Hunter (née Petherick, b. Nanaimo, BC 1892-1987) in Sidney, BC in 1918. He was a shipright then a mechanic.

1921: South Saanich Farmers Thomas Bate (b. Wallesey, Ches, ENG 1860-1929) and Mary Jane (née Churchill, b. St. John’s, NL 1860-1936) married in Toronto in 1883.

1923-24: Spencers driver, then federal finance dept employee James Albert Post (b. Victoria 1899-1979) married Thelma Marguerite (née McLaren, b. Victoria 1902-1986) in Seattle in 1922. He served in both WWs. His parents Charles Albert Post (b. Belleville, ON 1857-1944) & Nellie (née McIlmoyle, b. Saanich, BC 1872-1961) married here in 1898 and from 1913-41 lived next door at 2570 Graham St.

1926-32: Painter and decorator William H. Johnston.

1933-35: Victoria fireman Ernest Bennett (b. Yew Tree Farm, Highland Dist, Victoria 1900-1966) married Emily James (née Henly, b. Victoria 1901-1957) here in 1922. He later married Nellie May (née Greaney, b. Victoria 1901-1967).

1936-38: Canneryman Albert Edward “Bert” Mesher (b. St. John’s, NL 1898-1949) married Katherine “Kate” Sylvia (née Robins, b. Crewkerne, Som, ENG 1897-1957) here in 1924. Bert was a Steveston, BC cannery foreman when he died.

1941-48: Retired janitor Thomas Austin Cresswell (b. Walton, Yorks, ENG 1882-1959) and Clara Elizabeth Goggin (née Hemmerseachb. Alexandria, IN, USA 1877-1963); he served with CEF during WWI 1914-18.

1950-51: Albert “Bert” Edward Simons, RN, RCN, (b. ENG 1920-1984) and Mary Louise “Jane” (née Elson, b. London, ENG 1915-1997). Bert served on HMS Exeter in 1939 during the Battle of River Plate, the first battle of WWII, and first in S Atlantic. Jane served in WWII 1942-45 with RCN overseas; she was instrumental in starting Brownies and Guides at Naval housing in Belmont Park, and worked for Eatons for many years. 1952-54: Dora Davidson (née Scowcroft, b. Lancs, ENG 1881-1959), widow of Thomas Davidson (b. Greenock, SCT 1877-?). They married here in 1906. Her father William Scowcroft (b. Manchester, ENG 1848-1928) was for many years City of Victoria assessor and returning officer.

1955: Miss Winifred Ellen Hughes (b. Southgate, Mx, ENG 1886-1966) was a teacher for 45 years, retiring in 1951. She was then a mender at Victoria Public Library. after Vernon signed his Attestation Papers in Victoria for WWI. At the time, he was a rancher in Vernon, but by 1920 he was working for Harbour Marine Co in Victoria. By 1924 he was a policeman, and went on to become a detective with Victoria City Police.