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Page 10 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY June 1996 ARCHIVES CORNER ^Mary Chapman, Archives Volunteer Coordinator ‘In the Good Old Summer Time’ â€" On the Wet Coast! Do you remember the old song “It ain't going to rain no more, no more â€" How in the heck can we wash our neck if it ain’t going to rain no more? â€" and a much different “dry” era ditty, “How Dry I Am?" The latter caused quite a stir when a 16 note rendition of the tune by the skipper of a tow boat replaced the mandatory one long whistle required by all ships entering the First Narrows. Needless to say those within earshot enjoyed the “Prohibition Days” theme song but the “Powers that be” put an early end to such behaviour. Can you imagine having to rely on a horse-drawn wagon for your daily supply of fresh water? Only in places like Egypt or Saudi Arabia you say. Not so. It happened in West Vancouver during the “dry seasons” of 1914 and 1915. Campers and others who were not adequately supplied with water had to move back to the city in a hurry. Many difficulties were experienced in the matter of water supply, each house builder having the trouble and expense of installing his own system, such as wells, elevated tanks and pumps of various sorts. The wells in West Vancouver were never very successful owing to the depth of clay hardpan. Very few of the diggers had sufficient patience to dig through the hardpan to the artesian supply which undoubtedly exists in the seams of rock below. Most of the wells were in holes dug into the clay, but not through it, so they acted merely as storage tanks for soil water, usually running dry every year about a month after â€" here it comes again â€" “the dry season” had set in. Excerpted from the Daily Province; June 30,1926 To make the best of a bad situation the council put on a team and wagon to haul water from Pipe Creek, near 31st Street and delivered it free of charge to residents who were in need. In sections where the water was scarce, the quiet peace of the day would be disturbed by the clang of a bell and the sturdy housewife sallied forth, bucket in hand, to obtain the day’s supply of aqua pura from the water wagon. So you see, all those tales I have been telling you about the sununers that seemed to last from the first of May until the end of September are not a figment of my childhood imagination! Our very happy band of volunteers find such interesting items scanning the vast amount of material received in your archives. Some have lived in West Vancouver since the early years, others are newcomers;after a few hours together we can’t tell the difference, Though we act like teenagers at times our oldest is 79 and two of us are great grandmothers -- there is no discrimination here! An interesting, educational and often hilarious time is enjoyed by all. Anyone can join us. There is always room for more, â€" even MEN! Best of all, NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED. West Vancouver June 12 June 15 June 15 July 680 17th Street, at Esquimalt. Phone 925-7295 1523 West Vancouver 5S3 Museum & Archives Museum & Archives PROGRAMS & EVENTS Join us for a series of concert performances at the historic Gertrude Lawson House. Lemonade and music in the gardens. Admission by donation, weather permitting. Dundarave Players, Wednesday, l;30pm-2:30pm. Specializing in popular music from the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. Led by Ckace Tietz. Milleraires, Saturday, 3:00pm-4:00pm, The ever popular Milleraires entertain with 1040’s ‘Big Band’ music under the direction of Bill Trussell. Summer Hours Start Museumâ€"Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00am - 5:00pm Archives â€" Wednesday â€"12:00 noon - 3:00pm Happy Birthday, Canada Enjoy the Second Annual Great Canadian Picnic 1 at John Lawson Park, and the second birthday of the Gertrude Lawson House facility. â-  Music â-  Performances â-  Refreshments â-  Great Picnicking For more information, piease call 925-7290 Aug Harmony Arts Festival 12-18 Music, performances, special hours! COMMUNITY SERVICES â-  Local History Research The Archives oversees several thousand historic photographs of West Vancouver, maps plans and directories, as well as the personal and corporate records of residents, former Reeves (mayors), businesses and community groups. â-  Educational Programs and Outreach Kits. Guided programs at the Museum and educational outreach kits, which can be borrowed for use in the classroom, providing opportunities for young people to learn about their community. Programs are available to schools and community groups serving youth. Guided programs are offered September-April and kits are available year round. â-  Museum Gift Shop Featuring a variety of books and gifts from the North Shore. Specialty conservation supplies for preserving personal collections are available by order. â-  Heritage Walking Tours Self Guided walking tours may be picked up from the Museum gallery. Guided tours are occastonally offered. Call for more information.