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N HISTORY-ONICS VOt22 Marth MAR. n • CJ4 NO. 2 ~ 2004- The Newsletter of the West n Whither Ambleside? The pun is intended. The eastern end of Ambleside (the part within Hollyburn proper) weakens as the western end of Park Royal moves ever closer to Ambleside Park. In spite of their valiant efforts to hold Park Royal accountable to West Vancouver’s site and building regulations West Vancouver council has been thrust into a quandary by the actions of this innovative retailing giant. What, if anything, can be done to save what was once the bustling centre of West Vancouver? Will it, as a commercial and retailing area fall, domino-like, starting with the 13(X)-block? It is disquieting to look at 1392 Marine Drive along with other empty spots, especially that at 1402 Marine. Historically, the “Hollyburn end” of Marine has been the most vulnerable of the Ambleside shopping strip. Throughout the war it contained about eight businesses as opposed to over forty in the 1400-block. In the 1300- block, the most important businesses were Thompson’s Transfer at 13‘\ and Bill Thompson’s West Van Imperial Service at 1392 Marine. (See page 7) All four corners of Ambleside’s main intersection were given a boost when, on April 2, 1937, Safeway Stores moved into the premises at 1397 Marine Drive. But it wouldn’t last in that location. Parking was in short supply; the building itself had limited space. By 1941 it had closed, and would subsequently move to 1583 Marine Drive (site of a past Russell Lumber Company and a future Shoppers Drug Mart. For almost three years following Safeway’s departure the site would remain vacant. The corner was once again restored to importance on July 29, 1944, with the opening sale at Gibson’s Furniture Store. Mr. J. T. “Jack” Gibson, the proprietor, had had considerable experience in the business. Shortly before, he had been general manager and buyer for Forst’s Furniture department. There was every reason to believe that the new business would be destined for permanence and success. Mr. Gibson was a man of impressive presence and character; additionally, he had the able assistance of a new graduate from West Van High in the person of his son, Bruce. Things could hardly have been more auspicious. But there were ominous (Go to page 4} When I proof-read this issue I thought that the print looked a bit small. Does it look all right to you? Let me know if it doesn’t. TT Vancouver Historical Society A LOSS TO THE SOCIEY AND THE COMMUNITY A member of the West Vancouver Historical Society and long-time West Vancouver teacher and vice-principal, Douglas Todd, has left West Vancouver to live in Kamloops. He will be sorely missed. Doug is the son of Otis J. Todd, an almost legendary fig- ure in classical studies, who came to teach at U.B.C. in 1918 (along with another remarkable academics, G.G. Sedgewick and W.N. Sage). He followed his father in the study of classics, particularly Latin, which he had taught from 1950 at W.V.H.S. and later at Hillside. Before coming to West Vancouver Doug had taught, pre- vious to a stint in the R.C.A.F, at Cobble Hill on Vancou- ver Island. In 1957 Doug was selected as Dick Wright’s vice princi- pal for the soon-to-be-built Hillside Junior High School. They had a wonderful, if busy (not being given any free time to prepare for the new school) time preparing the way for the new school. It was only the second high school after West Van High, which had been completed thirty- one years earlier. Jim Inkster, principal at West Van High, did not happily contempate the departure of two of the best members of his staff. Doug had been teaching Latin at the school; Dick was vice principal there. Both, understandably, were re- garded with affection and respect by the students. (And still are.) The school would suffer with their departure. It was a golden time for the nascent school. A large part of the extra-curricular work of the two adminstrators was devoted to selecting the charter staff. They chose well. The school got off to a flying start. Teething problems were rare. Success in the selection of the new teachers was evident right from the beginning. The standards of the school from the outset were exceptional. The staff were a highly enthusiatic lot (as were, indeed, the parents) who demanded the best, both of themselves and their charges. Doug had a genious of getting to know (and remember- ing) pretty well all of the students of the school, as well as many of the parents. Doug remained as vice principal of Hillside until 1975. In that year the superintendent decided he (with his re- tirement in the offing only several years hence) should be (Concluded on page 2)