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WESTVANCOUVER M E M O R I E S (continued from page 4) PAGEfi mouth of the Capilano. By strange coincidence, Alfred's nephew, Lloyd, today lives in the house built by Naavy Jack Thomas. The William's family was, for about one year (1891), Thomas' only neighbour 1892 Naavy Jack, now in his late 50's, apparendy encountered hard times. He obtained a grubstake from either Walter Erwin or J.C. Keith (accounts differ) and embarked on an adventure in Barkerville. Some time after his arrival there, John died quite suddenly and was buried in the Barkerville area. Mrs. Thomas and the children moved to the Reserve where her relatives resided and the Thomas land was sold for taxes. J.C. Keith, financier and ex-banker, acquired the property as a land speculatioon. The land lay vacant for several years. 1905John Lawson and his brotherin-law, exploring the area on foot, happened on the homesite, purchased it from Keith and moved his family there in the spring of 1907. Lawson later moved the house a short distance to the west, added a front dormer, and lived in the house until 1928. The home, though much altered, exists on the site to this day (2011) Photograph of the Hollybum General Store taken from the north-east comer of Marine Drive and Lawson Avenue (17th Street) 1915. The building was demolished in 1951 for the Coronation Building. 0105. WVA.RAH This article was found in thefiles of the Historical Society under the title of "A Research Paper on Naavy Jack Thomas". If anyone can help us identify the author, please contact us. Hughes never occupied the land but did receive a grant on Feb. 13. 1884. 1882 Thomas is reported as having a "shack" on the waterfront at the foot of Abbot Street in the village of Granville - just a few doors east of Madam Berdie Stewart's establishment. 1886 CPR arrives in Vancouver Thomas' sloop still in operation. Instead of sending his children to England to be educated as his family wanted, Thomas liired a Mis* Wayne as Governess. She later married M r Jones founder of the tent and avming company. Thomas was fond of gardening, planted fruit trees and, according to his daughter, grew tobacco and sugar cane. He worked, for a time, at the Terminal Hotel in Vancouver He travelled to and from work by rowboat from West Vancouver 1887 Pre-emption privileges, which had been suspended in 1882, were restored in 1886. All waterfront land was quickly taken though few others lived on their land full time. 1888 First recorded aid to navigation at First Narrows is Jack's rooster! The Paddle Steamer "Yosemite", lost in the fog on the morning of May 24, 1888, used a bearing obtained from the crowing of his rooster to safely navigate the harbour entrance. 1891 Naavy Jack's son, a good boatman at age 10, rescued 6 year old Alfred Willizmis from drowning at the