ARCHITECTURE:
This is a superior example of a 2-storey Craftsman design. Although basically a simple box-shape with front-facing gable, a variety of rooflines, gables and bays adds considerable character. The front gable is unusually flattened and has heavy brackets with exposed rafter-tails in wide overhangs. Both front and side gables have board-and-batten decoration. Unusual square eavestroughs are built into the soffits. A corner box bay on the right and the side-facing front porch on the left have trim details to match the main gable. On the right side, a bracketed box bay has a shed roof. An exterior chimney has a single shoulder and pierces the roof, while the side dormers carry the wall through the roof. Staggered shingles cover the foundation level.
Although moved from elsewhere, the period garage, with bellcast roof, works well with the main house. A fine original stone wall defines the front garden.
ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:
This house was built for Charles Alexander Steele (1873-1942), who never actually lived here (he also built 53 Welllington Av, Fairfield, as revenue property). Born in Portland, OR, Charles came to BC at an early age. He was a commercial traveler for Lowenberg & Co when he married Emily Louise Rowe (1879-1953) in 1904, but later became a tobacconist.
The first known resident of this house was William R. Dale, who lived here until the early 1920s. He was a general agent for the Great Northern Railway Co.
OTHER OCCUPANTS:
Edgar Herbert Perrins Pollard (c.1890-1930) lived here in the mid-1920s. Born in Worcester, England, Edgar came to Canada in 1912 and to Victoria in 1913 to work in the customs office as an inspector. In 1922 he married Lorna Kathleen Dumbleton, daughter of Henry Maurice and Florence Mary (Leneven) Dumbleton. He went overseas during WWI, but was sent home early after being gassed. He returned to the customs office and in 1923 was promoted to Excise Tax Auditor. He was presumed drowned while fishing near Parksville, BC in 1930.
Widow and housekeeper Mrs E.J. White lived here in the late 1920s. By 1931, Samuel George (1857-1943) and Bertha Phoebe (Spragge, 1869-1949) Marling were living here. Samuel was a retired real estate agent born in Montreal, and Bertha was born in Guelph, ON. They came to Victoria in about 1905.
David R. and Evelyn Campbell lived here until 1936. David was the proprietor of a surgical supply shop. Stockbroker salesman Norman Fraser and his wife Ethel owned this house and lived here in 1937. Edgar (1879-1941) and Dora (Law, 1880-1960) Scholes had bought the house by 1940-41. Born in Manchester, England, Edgar was a retired electrical engineer. Dora was born in Stretford, England, and came to Canada in 1909. She and Edgar moved to Victoria with their children in 1919. Dora lived in this house until the mid-1940s, and then moved to 1610 Pinewood.
Frederick M.J. and Dorothy R. Miller had bought the house by 1949 and lived here until 1952. Frederick was a carpenter.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & IMAGES:
• Royal BC Museum Archives Image
• This Old House, Victoria’s Heritage Neighbourhoods,
Volume Four: Fairfield, Gonzales & Jubilee
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