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Page 2 West Vancouver Historical Society January 2003 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY Offices Gertrude Lawson House 680 17th Street West Vancouver, B.C. V7V3T2 Phone-925-7299 Principal Officers President Dave Barker 1st Vice President Ian Macdonald 2nd Vice President Tom Taylor Secretary Anne Vernon Treasurer Joan Cox Past President Hon. Archivist Rupert Harrison Directos: Rod Day Don Graham Hugh Johnston Laureen Jones Bud Langley Doris Lewis Joan Skipper Newsletter Team Publisher/Editor Anne Vernon Production and Distribution Tom Taylor Graphics & Display Laureen Jones It is Society Policy: That every effort is made to ensure that all articles are accurate but the Society takes no responsibility for inaccuracies. That opinions expressed in contribu- tions and presentations are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Society That corrections, contrary opinions and contributions are welcomed. That excerpts from HISTORY-ONICS must be attributed to the WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY and reproductions in whole or in part are not permitted without the express authorization of the Society. EXECUTIVE REPORT: Dave Barker 2002 is now a part of history. The Historical Society Board hopes that 2003 will be a year of health and happiness for all of you and your loved ones. The old year ended with a most enjoyable Christmas Party at Spuraway Lodge in early December. It was great seeing so many of the Society's members attending and enjoying a little conversation and Christmas cheer. Many thanks are given to Laureen Jones, Joan Skipper, Joan Cox and Anne Vernon for organising the affair. 2003 will see the Society continue its financial and moral support of the West Vancouver Museum and Archives. We will also provide the best newsletter around under the direction of Anne Vernon. We will continue to strive to bring interesting, informative and entertaining guest speakers to our bi-monthly general meetings. If you have time, how about communicating with us and letting us know how we are doing. Are we providing what the membership want? Drop us a line or phone call care of the Gertrude Lawson House and give us some feedback. Write a short reminis- cence of the early days in West Van or a favourite memory. These we would love to publish in the "History-Onics". Most of all, do not forget to renew your membership in the Society. It is from the membership that we gain our direction and strength. The Board wishes all of you a very Happy New Year. ’k’kii'kit'kltit'k Historical Society Recognizes First West Van Reeve By. PeterHaii The Capilano View Cemetery is the final resting place for many of West Vancou- ver's reeves and mayors. Amongst them are Joe Leyland, Sid Gisby, Hugo Ray, John Lawson, Don Lanskail, and our very first one, Charles Nelson. In the summer of 2001 the Municipality held an open house at the Cemetery to show the public some alternative development plans for it and the Historical Society was invited to lead two historic walks amongst the interment sites. Thanks to Don Isaac, the Cemetery Supervisor, all the sites on our list to visit were flagged and easy to find. And all had an appropriate permanent marker. Except one. The exception was that of Charles E. Nelson, not only first reeve (1912) but one of the twelve men who petitioned the Provincial government requesting the separation of 'West Capilano' from the District of North Vancouver and the establishment of West Vancouver as a separate municipality. We don't know why Mr. Nelson's grave had remained unmarked following his passing in 1940. Newspaper accounts at the time mentioned only one survivor - a brother in Nova Scotia, so perhaps distance was a factor. It seemed only fitting that one who played such an important role in the establish- ment of our community should be recognized appropriately. The Historical Society commissioned the making of a stone which is now in place and which will be officially recognized during a ceremony at the site during Heritage Week in February. We have had much help in this project from Sharon Lore, the Cemetery Clerk. Gerry Brewer of Brewer Marker Services who provided the design, arranged for the stone's manufacture and made a generous financial contribution and from Glen Minaker, Park Facilities Manager, who waived the placement fee. We thank these friends for their help. CORPORATE MEMBERS We gratefully acknowledge the support of our Corporate Members whose names appear here in order of joining Chapman Land Surveying Ltd. Hollyburn Funeral Home Ltd. West Van Florist Ltd. Wetmore Motors Ltd. British Pacific Properties Ltd. B.C. Rail Ltd. Faximum Software Inc. Dr. Robert N. Hicks, Inc. The Capilano Golf & Country Club Dave’s Auto Body Shop Ltd. The Palm Guest House Simpson Home Hardware Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 60 Vancouver Historical Society West Vancouver School Board, District # 45 North Shore Driving School