1042 Princess Avenue

ARCHITECTURE:

This 1½-storey, Edwardian Vernacular Arts & Crafts, front-gabled home was designed by prominent local architect J.C.M. Keith and built for $2,400. The gabled dormers on either side of the roof are features of Edwardian Vernacular Arts &Crafts, as is the symmetrical upper floor over the asymmetrical lower on the front. The front and rear gables have whalebone bargeboards. A string course separating the gable from the main floor continues as the frieze around the house. The offset, recessed front porch to the left had been enclosed but has now been restored, revealing the leaded glass in the paneled front door. There is one chamfered square post, and solid balustrades on the porch and side-facing steps. There is a cantilevered box bay under the eaves on the left side. The house has many beautiful stained and leaded glass windows. The gables and dormers are shingled. The body is clad in drop siding.

ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:

Thomas and Mary Elkington lived here from 1909 until their deaths. Thomas (1869-1923) immigrated to Canada from England in 1893 and came to Victoria two years later. In 1899 he married Mary Arden (1868-1935), who came to Canada from England in 1880, and lived in Toronto, ON, for 10 years before coming to Victoria. Thomas was the long time foreman of Holsum Products, on Fisgard St.

Daughter Elsie Frances was born in Victoria in 1903 and married Robert John Stewart (1903-1944) in 1933. They lived here until c.1940. Robert was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to Victoria in 1910. He was a warehouse foreman with W.H. Malkin, wholesale grocer, and later a foreman fitter with Yarrows shipyards.

OTHER OCCUPANTS:

Owners Harvey Augustus (1891-1966) and Alice Ellen Mary (Allan, 1897-1962) Taylor lived here after the Stewarts until 1946. Harvey was a postal service worker born in Newfoundland. Alice came to Canada from England in 1921. They moved to Victoria in 1936. By 1947, the owners were painter Charles Schattenkirk and his wife Mary. Robert C. and Sarah Anderson lived here in the early-1950s. Robert was a Petty Officer with the RCN.