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Page 2 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY February 1996 HERITAGE â€" WEST VANCOUVER The other day in conversation I heard the question asked, **What is heritage, anyway?” Mth H»itage Week in Canada ccaning up in just a few days, February 18 - 25, the question is timely to say the least My dictionary defines heritage as: a) something handed down from one’s ancestors or the past as a characteristic, a culture, OT a tradition; or b) a birthright Another definition I have read says, ’’Heritage provides us with a feeling of identity, place and well-being by identifying where we came from and how we became what we are today. Heritage prepares us for the future and for adapting in a rapidly changing world.” Pertiaps the next question to be asked is what then is heritage in West Vancouver. Can heritage be truly meaningful in a cmnmunity only a hundred years old? The answer is a resounding. Yes! Comimunity heritage is a thing of many parts. Natural heritage, for example. West Van has in abundance. Hollybum Mountain with its forest and streams has been explored, logged, hiked, camped and skied for decades. The lower reaches have been built on, and while we have cmly one or two structures left from the last century, many of our early hmnes have a style and character entirely of their own era. Our shoreline with its beaches and bluffs By: Ian Macdonald, President is another element of our natural heritage. The shcnoline and hillside, along with the homes, roads and parks we have built, become our ”landscape heritage”. West Vancouver’s landsc^ heritage is particularly charming with its unique “neighbourhood” characteristics. Ix)wer Caulfeild, Altamont, Dundarave and even the British Properties are distinct neighbourhoods that come quickly to mind. Most of our ancestral and cultural heritage comes from across the oceans but it exists in West Vancouver because it is transplantable. Here, as everywhere in the New World, it has taken root and then grown and adapted to a new locale and lifestyle. Of course Native heritage has existed here for centuries and, what a rich history and culture it is. And how does a person experience heritage in West Vancouver today? I can’t think of a better way than to take a walk on the seawall. Hollybum Ridge and most of the conununity can be seen by looking north up the hill. At Dundarave one can think back to the days of the swinuning tank and the atmual regattas. The walk passes Navvy Jack’s house, the pio:s at 17th and 14th and of course the Fory Builcfing, all dating back to the 20’s or earlier. Old pictures of Ambleside Park show Native homes and later a small logging camp with a bam for oxen. WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOaETY OfHcee 'Qartrude Lawson House’ 680 ITthStrest West Vancouver, B.C. V7V3T2 Phone-925-7299 Principal OtHcen Prasidant Vha Praaldant Sacratary Traaaurar Hwh ArehMat Muwaum Qallary Qulda Voluntaar Coordinator Program Chedr Ian Macdonald Tom Taylor Susan J. Dlrassar Ian A. Loudon Rupert Harrison Margusrits Cassetta Phone 922-3498 Jim MacCarthy Phone 922-0989 Nawslattar Taam Managing Editor Anne Vernon Contrlbutkma Edltw Barbara Johnson Publlahar Waring Pentland Production and DiaMbuOon Tom Taylor Graphics A Dispiay Laureen Jones Printer Quill Printing Ltd. West Van., B.C. Editorial Polley It Is Society Policy: That every effort Is made to ensure that all articles are accurate but the Society takes no responsibility for Inaccuracies. Corrections and contributions are welcomed. That excerpts from HISTORY-ONICS must be attributed to the WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY and reproductiom in whole or In part are not permitted without the express authorization of the Society. So you see. Heritage is a very real thing in West Vancouver. As we go about our daily affairs it is all around us in its many forms. Isn't it a comfort to have it? OO'D ATT? C gratefully acknowledge the support of our Corporate Members w^se names appear here in order of joining Chapman Land Surveying Ltd. VanCity Credit Union G.V.Kirk Electric Ltd. Hollybum Funeral Home Ltd. Peake & Richmond Ltd. Dave’s Auto Body Shop Ltd. The Beach House at WiUiam Meek Printing Ltd. The North Shore News Dundarave Pier B.C. Rail Ltd. Canadian Imperial Bank West Van Florist Drs. Rovinelli & McRoberts of Commerce Ferguson Moving & Storage Faximum Software Ltd. The Royal Bank of Canada Wetmore Motors Ltd. Dr. Robert N. Hicks, Inc. The Bank of Montreal Murchie’s Tea & Coffee Ltd. The Square Rigger Pub Quill Printing Limited Watt Real Estate Ltd. Barry Hicklenton Insurance The Bank of Nova Scotia Crawford E. Laing Ltd. British Pacific Properties Ltd. Agencies Ltd. Hongkong Bank of Canada