Heritage Register
Gonzales

1009 Richmond Avenue

Built 1912
Heritage-Registered

William Gee

Architect/Builder: Archie Bunting

ARCHITECTURE:

This is a superb example of a small Craftsman bungalow. The front roof gable is echoed in a small gabled entry porch, with tapered stone piers supporting tapered wooden columns. The foundation walls and the low stair cheeks are also built of granite blocks. Half-timbering has been used in the gable ends, and the ends of the vergeboards (bargeboards) are scroll-cut with a unique and complex pattern. A cantilevered front box bay has a shed roof, imitating the two large roof dormers. Diamond-pointed purlin ends have been exposed. Sidelights from the front doorway appear to have been moved forward to enclose the porch –one of them upside-down. The original cost of the residence was $4,150. (There are strong similarities to another Bunting house nearby at 1009 Chamberlain, especially the bargeboards.)

ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:

The Gee family owned this house until the early 1940s. Ontario natives William Henry (1866-1956) and Susanna (Milsap, 1863-1935) Gee came to Victoria from Regina, SK, in 1911. William originally worked in real estate, but then became an elementary school teacher and retired in 1931. William remained at this house for about five years after Susanna died and then moved to New Westminster.

Their son Dr. John Ewart Gee (1894-1954) lived in the house until the early 1940s. A dentist, he married Gladys Evangeline Goodsell (1896-1980) in Chicago, IL, in 1917 after graduating from dental college.

OTHER OCCUPANTS:

William Reginald (1891-1972) and Gladys Rose (Spooner, 1903-1983) Cryer lived here in the mid-1940s. Born in Bristol, England, William was a real estate salesman who came to Victoria with his family in 1943. Gladys was born in Benton Harbour, MI.

John C.K. and Cecily Feilden lived in this house c.1949-62. John was a section supervisor at the BC Power Commission (BC Hydro).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & IMAGES:

• Gonzales History

• Gonzales Heritage Register


• This Old House, Victoria's Heritage Neighbourhoods,
Volume Four: Fairfield, Gonzales & Jubilee