ARCHITECTURE:
This one-storey, front-gabled Arts & Crafts Craftsman Bungalow has exposed rafters tails and knee brackets in the eaves. On the right side are piano windows either side of the granite exterior wall chimney. There is a gabled extension toward the rear. On the left is a box bay and a gabled extension also toward the rear. The bracketed, gabled front porch is offset to the right. Two tall battered piers with concrete caps support the porch roof, which has a decorative, denticulated string course. The balustrade has curved, sawn balusters. The concrete front steps have low, concrete-capped, granite balustrades,which match the porch foundation. There is a vent in the main gable and a terracotta roundel on the porch gable. There are many bevelled and leaded art glass windows. The house has always been stuccoed and has a concrete foundation. A small rear porch has been enclosed. There is a low granite garden wall across the front of the property, with five short, round granite posts.
The interior has been designated. Original features include: golden-oak and mahogany inlay flooring and tile flooring; built-in bookcases and buffet; push-button light switches; door hardware; and picture rails. The bathroom has its original tub and decorative tiles. Two suites were added in the basement, and the original unfinished attic was converted into living space in 2006.
ORIGINAL OCCUPANTS:
Owner: 1924-1961: This was built for or by Charles Edwin Janes (b. USA 1876-1961), who lived here briefly from 1926-29 before returning to the family home, 927 Green St. He came with his family from the US in 1881, his father Alfred dying soon after. His mother Jane (née Bestal, b. Warren Co, IL, USA 1843-1913) lived on Green St with her three sons and daughter. In 1895 Edwin was working for R.T. Williams, publishers of a Victoria city directory. Four years later he was a bookbinder with the Provincial Office [later King’s Printer] a job he held until his retirement in 1950. He moved to this house permanently in 1949. He remained a bachelor. All of his siblings pre-deceased him. He was a member of Aerie #12, Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Tenants 1930-49: Charles rented 2209 Vancouver to sisters May Belle “Mabel” (1869-1949) and Catherine “Kate” Fluitt (1873-1954) Merrill, both born in Winchester, IL, USA and came here in 1888 with their father Joseph (b. Cheshire, ENG 1832-1895) and siblings Josephine and Frederick. Their mother Mary Jane (née Manley, b. Manchester, ENG 1835-c.1881) died in IL. Joseph, a retired druggist, worked as a photographer in Hastings Art Studios on Fort St for two years. Josephine (1872-1947) married William Baker Hall (b. Victoria 1865-1938) in 1895. Frederick William Merrill (1875-1937) died at Dawson City, YT. Kate and Mabel were employed as folders, Govt. Bindery in 1899, with Kate rising to forelady in 1914 and forewoman in 1921. Both retired from King’s Printer, Mabel in 1927 and Kate in 1931. Kate entered a private hospital in Saanich after Mabel died in 1949.