Heritage Register
Fernwood

1706 Fernwood Road (ex-92 Fernwood Rd)
Blenheim

Built 1906
Heritage-Designated 1985

For: Percy & Ellen Whittington

ARCHITECTURE:

Blenheim is a 1½-storey, cross-gabled Edwardian Queen Anne. There are paired modillions in the eaves. The front and left gables have curved bargeboards over square bays above bracketed angled bays. There is an inset right-corner front porch to the right of the bay. Its gabled end mimics the curved design of the front and left gables. The porch has turned square posts and pilasters, and turned spindles in the balustrade. The house has a brick foundation. It was duplexed at some point. In the late 1980s the fire escape balcony and ladder were removed from the front, and the house was given a period colour scheme by then owner Dave Hutchinson, who lived in 1702 Fernwood Rd. Later owners have restored the front porch and door, and windows at the rear.

ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:
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1903-15: Percy Tufnell Whittington (b. Barrow-in-Furness, Lancs, ENG, 1876-1915) and Ellen “Nellie” (née Barrett, b. Oxon, ENG, 1879-1952) married in 1903 and moved into their new house. Percy came with his parents William and Emelyn Whittington (1834 Stanley St, Fernwood) and his brother Ernest (1433 Vining St, Fernwood) to Port Townsend, then Port Angeles, WA, and finally to Victoria c.1892. The family lived at 116 North Pembroke, now 1444-48 Pembroke St, Fernwood, in 1897. Percy worked as a clerk for George Powell & Sons, hardware merchants on Government St. He was an active member of Metropolitan Methodist Church. 1915-32: After Percy’s death, Nellie remained in the house and in 1919 married widower Cecil Cuming (b. London, ENG, 1871-1946), proprietor of a men’s furnishings store, Cuming & Co. Cecil came to Victoria c.1916.

OTHER OCCUPANTS:

1933-39: Adam Coates (b. Castle Douglas, Dumfrieshire, SCT, 1879-1964) and Jeanie M. came to Victoria in 1912. Adam was an engineer with Sidney Roofing Co. He belonged to First United Church, AF&AM, and IOOF.
1940: Alice Knight, widow of W. Knight, a cook at Tillicum Athletic Club, 645 Johnson St, Diana Knight, a helper at The Home Cafe, 640 Johnson St, and Jane Knight, a waitress at TAC.

1941-57: William Farrow (b. Norfolk, ENG, 1869-1950) and Anne (née Springett, b. ENG, 1881-1969); William came to Canada c.1884 and Victoria in 1923; Anne came in 1909. William was a salesman for Harold A. Osgood furniture store, 1417 Broad St. After his death, Anne worked as a cook at the Old Charming Inn, 1420 Beach Dr, Oak Bay.