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Page 2 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY April 1996 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY Offices 'Gertrude Laweon Houee’ 680 17th Street Weet Vencouver, B.C. V7V3T2 Principal Ofttcera President Vice President Searetary Treasurwr Hon. Ar^Mst Museum Gallery Guide Volunteer Coordinator Program Chair Newsletter Team Managing Editor Phone-925-7299 Ian Macdonald Tom Taylor Suean J. DIraeear Ian A. Loudon Rupert Harrleon Marguerite Caeeetta Phone 922-3498 Jim MaeCarthy Phone 922-0989 Anne Vernon Contributions Editor Barbara Johneon Publisher Waring Pentland Production and Distribution Tom Taylor Graphics & Display Laureen Jonee Printer Quill Printing Ltd. Weet Van., B.C. Editorial Policy It ie Society Policy: That every effort la made to eneure that all articlee are accurate but the Society takes no reeponsibiiity for inaccuraciee. Correctiona and contributiona are welcomed. That excerpts from HISTORY-ONICS must be attributed to the WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY and reproducdone in whole or in part are not permitted without the express authorization of the Society. Annual General Meeting West Vancouver Historical Society June 18,1996 at 7 pm, at the West Van Senior Activity Centre 695 21st Street (Off Fulton Ave) EXECUTIVE REPORT Point Atkinson Update By: Ian Macdonald, President The 1990’s War of the Lighthouses appears to be nearing an end. â€" At least at Point Atkinson. The Coast Guard have announced their intention to automate by June 30th and the keepers there have been given notice effective in September. Three things could now happen. The Coast Guard could proceed to automate and de-staff the site, and either staff it with security people, build a large fence around it, or abandon all or part of it to the threat of vandalism. Second, the Provincial Government could step in and retain the lightkeepers as they have said they would like to. Third, the District of West Van could agree to an enlargement of the present Lighthouse Park lease to include all or part of the site and somehow retain staff to live in the houses there and look after an enlarged Lighthouse Park. What is the Historical Society’s position in the midst of such uncertainty? As a matter of policy. Society directors take no position on such contentious matters as automation and de-staffing. We do, however, have strong views on the historical aspects of Point Atkinson. That history goes back to 1874 when the first light tower was built. It was the second permanent structure in West Vancouver (Navvy Jack House was built in 1873.) The present tower was built in 1912 and to this day is one of the most functional and aesthetically pleasing lighthouses in the world. The fog horn engine house, the two dwellings still occupied by keepers, the remnants of the wartime installations and very significantly, the concrete and stone base of the original tower, are all in place. Assuming automation will go ahead, we believe all the structures and remnants as well as the artifacts in them should remain in place undisturbed. We were recently reassured when in a phone conversation, the Coast Guard stated they had no intention of disturbing the site beyond what was required to achieve automation. We are also advised that talks with the District of West Vancouver are imder way. They are at an early stage but one might hope they will bring the matter to a happy resolution and that the Park and Lighthouse will remain places people can explore and enjoy. We will continue to watch the situation and keep you posted. 1>01^ A TT17 l\/f IV/f 11171^ Q gratefuUy acknowledge the support of our Corporate V/JVx V-F JVrV X JL iVXJLiVXOllf Members whose names appear here in order of joining Chapman Land Surveying Ltd. VanCity Credit Union G.V.Kirk Electric Ltd. Hollyburn Funeral Home Ltd. Peake & Richmond Ltd. Dave’s Auto Body Shop Ltd. The Beach House at William 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