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September 1996 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY Page 7 SNAP SHOT FROM THE PAST From the Lions Gate Times, circa 1949 WVHS Pioneer Pen Sketches MRS. L. (ANNE) JONES GEORGE MARR The following is a reprint from the Don's Gate Times, diva 1949. Originally printed in two issues of the paper, they are taken from a column that appeared regularly in the weekly newspaper. The Times office mentioned in the column refers to the Lions Gate Times which is no longer in existence. It was as far back as 1889 when the Burrard Inlet Coal Syndicate made plans to establish the city of Newcastle at Dundarave. Instead of them ‘carrying coals to Newcastle’ the late George Marr’s lumber camp appeared a few years later. One of the first white pioneers to settle in what is now the Dundarave district, George Marr gave his name to Marr Creek. George had an option on 58 acres up by Hollybum Ridge trail just about where the chair lift ascends, (no longer in operation) up the old 25th Street trail. In the building of his home, he packed lumber from a wrecked tug on Dundarave beach, up the mountain on his back, piece by piece, until he had erected what was Hollybum’s first log cabin on the mountain side. In his spare time George planted flowers and fruit trees and continued to develop the rough uncultivated land. Out of the wilderness on the mountain-side, with its small woodland creeks, the old home-stead created by George Marr became a verdant and beautiful landscape. Much of the timber on his place evidently went into the logging operations at his camp, located on the west side of 25th Street at the water front. Among the oldtimers working there in those early days was John McNair (16th and Esquimalt) who was Marr’s woods boss. Time passed and other settlers crept in. George didn’t seem to like it, so into the Kootenays he travelled in search of gold. He was a prospector as well as a logger. We find that George was also an old Klondike pioneer, following which became the fulfilment of his West Shore logging venture which began about 1905. Hollybum too had its own logging scene with McNair and Fraser Lumber Co. (logging where the British Properties is now) with its wharfage and booming grounds replaced by The Times offices and other business premises at the foot of 16th Street. The 26th Trail near where the Marr cabin was built was becoming more frequented by hikers and skiers apart from 22nd Street route which was more popular in those days. The little log cabin in the valley spanned by the wooden bridge was deserted and Rodger’s farm was well established by this time with other settlers gradually filling up the southern slope. The small general store that was at 25th and Haywood was kept by a retired general and his wife as previously supplies The remains of George's cabin as it was in 1927 came by ferry to Dundarave wharf. The old PGE had not started until 1914, and the name "‘Dundarave” was given to its station at that time. George Marr eventually returned to Hollybum Ridge a poorer but wiser man and found many of his unfilled acres in the same place his little cabin was located. George covered a lot' of ground in his time, and had made much money but could never keep any. He gave more away than he ever saved. It was one Easter Sunday many years ago that George was taken with a heart seizure and his neighbours found him back in his little log cabin. The OTiginal homestead was purchased by the B.C. Electric for development purposes. (There is a B. C. Hydro substation but it is further to the west near Rodgers Creek. We have not been able to establish the exact site of thecabin. We would appreciate any assistance in pinpointing it.) To the life of George Marr there was no desire apparently for high ambition or outstanding success, nor did he create a stir mthe place he came to call home. He lived as all pioneers, a life of labour striving towards an end, and now the first log cabin has faded from sight the memory of George Marr has also passed. These early pioneers will be remembered as the most steadfast humans alive their world embracing both nature and men.