ARCHITECTURE:
Patly was designed by Ridgway-Wilson, then extensively renovated by Samuel Maclure for $14,000. The remodelled house was described in the 1979 edition of This Old House as an “imposing but severe Georgian Revival structure,” but it is informal compared to Ridgway-Wilson’s original Italian Renaissance residence, as seen in the 1911 photo. The renovation obliterated the original corner pilasters, quoins and belt course; modillions replaced the paired eaves brackets. The Classical Greek pedimented entry portico was replaced< by a simpler enclosed vestibule fronted by a barrelvaulted< roof supported by four Tuscan columns. The main roof was extended to the left, given a second dormer, and a two-storey wing added on the front left, creating an Lshaped house. A single-storey extension was later added to this wing. The centrally-located columned portico on the right side was replaced by an offset angled bay with a balcony above. The round window was replaced by a rectangular window. The arched windows on the front to the left of the entry were removed, that on the right was replaced by a rectangular window. The house is stuccoed. The roof balcony on the right and the shutters have been added.
ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:
1905-17: James Alexander Mitchell (b. Whitby, ON 1851-1926) lived here with brother John E. Mitchell (b. 1849-1921), retired miner. James founded J(ames) Mitchell, S(amuel) Martin & H(enry) Martin Real Estate, Stock Brokers & Financiers. The brothers were joined in 1915 by niece Kate Ethelyn Adair (b. Clark, ON 1882-1957). James, a bachelor, then owned and lived in 1598 Rockland Av until his death. Housekeeper Margaret Donaldson Tennant (née Crerar, b. Hutton & Corrie, Dumfries, SCT 1871-1928), widow of William White Tennant (b. Ecclefechan, Dumfries, SCT 1854-1908), emigrated from Scotland with daughters Marjorie, a renowned tennis player, and Irene in 1910. She lived with and worked for the Mitchells in both 1617 and 1598 Rockland. In 1921 her annual wage was $480
OTHER OCCUPANTS:
1917-49: David “James” Angus, MA (b. Montréal 1875-1948) married Essie “Muriel” (née Stikeman, b. Blackheath, London, ENG 1883-1948) in Montréal in 1914 and came to BC. [His father, Richard Bladworth Angus, a CPR founder and 13th Bank of Montréal president, was called “one of the greatest of Canadian Nation Builders.” James’ uncle James Angus built 1321 Rockland Av]. James studied law at McGill University and was called to Quebec Bar in 1904. He and Muriel were very involved in Red Cross work during WWI and WWII. Muriel was a dedicated gardener and her garden was featured as one to visit for many years. Son David Harry Richard Angus lived with his parents and established Angus Marine Sales & Service in 1946.
1950-73: Rockland Private Hospital (RPH):
1950-58: Kristjan Kristensen Boel (b. Thursturp, DEN 1895-1984) and Katrine “Kate” (née Kjaersgaard b. DEN 1898-1992) came to Canada in 1928. They farmed near Calgary and ran “Dana Home” residence for Danish immigrants until 1944, then came here. An auditor at Spencers, he opened RPH in September 1950. Kate was a physiotherapist at RJH. Son John Boel taught music and led bands for over 35 years in local schools.
1962-68: CPO 1st Class Arthur “Lang” Lendrum, CD, RCN (b. Edmonton, AB 1916-1994) joined the RCN in 1937 and went into hospital administration after WWII; wife Grace Victoria (b. Leduc, AB 1917-2004) was a hospital matron. Both are buried in God’s Acre Veterans’ Cemetery, Esquimalt.
1975: This became a private residence again.