Saturday Sunset

The 1920's were eventful years in Vancouver and the city itself was building towards its modern form. The city's objectives were increased commercial traffic, increased industrial activity, and eventual amalgamation with the suburbs, Point Grey and South Vancouver.

Vancouver remained dependent on its basic primary industries such as lumbering, fishing, and on shipping. The twenties also saw increased immigration and commercial activity, which was common to all of Canada and particularly British Columbia. Much of the city's progress was the result of federal and provincial policies and politics but, locally, Vancouver's vigorous press and persistent civic administration played important parts.

Our newspapers had a lively history. There were a few minor and eccentric publications that lasted only a brief time but by 1925, the Fourth Estate assumed its modern day form with the Sun and the Province dominating the field. The Province was originally a Victoria publication, which first appeared in 1898. It was under the management - and later ownership - of Walter Cameron Nichol.

Nichol was an enterprising editor noted for his readiness to stir up trouble, often resulting in libel suits. However, Nichol had a sound appreciation of news values and reader interests. With such valid newspaper policies, Walter soon had Carter-Cotton's pioneer News-Advertiser closing its doors.

That left Louis D. Taylor's World newspaper as the main competition for the Province. Taylor left the running of the World in the hands of John Nelson when Taylor became immersed in city politics.  Unfortunately, Nelson dealt with inadequate financing and in 1924, that paper folded.

"Both are good papers," said the neutral Saturday Sunset. During these years, Nichol restrained his violent editorial outbursts and- with the help of F.J. Burd and Roy Brown - was producing a paper that was noted for sound conservatism and comprehensive news coverage.

The Sunset was founded in 1907 and taken over by a syndicate headed by F.C. Wade in 1912. Wade was a prominent Liberal and on February 12, 1912, it re-emerged as the Morning Sun and was tied to the Liberal Party and the party policies.

It trudged along with very little success and was foreclosed on. Then it was snapped up by Colonel J.W. Stewart - than a railroad contractor who was concerned with the construction of the PGE Railway. Stewart conducted it not as a newspaper but more like a political organ.

Funny thing is though, Stewart selected an account he hired to manage the paper and appear as its publisher. The accountant, Robert Cromie was a newspaper genius.

Thanks to the book, Vancouver, From Milltown to Metropolis by Alan Morley for the above information.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

Karen Magill

Homes, Inventions and Legacies

1009 Odlum Drive is an Edwardian- style house with a sleeping porch, integral porch and saddlebag dormers. A building permit dated April 25, 1911 lists Harry Cline and S.M. Palmer as owners, operators and builders. This two-story dwelling was worth $3,000 then.

The home appears to have been vacant until an artist by the name of Charles A. Ferguson took up residence in 1913.

Odlum Drive is named after Edward Faraday Odlum. Odlum arrived in Vancouver in 1899, after spending three years heading a small Tokyo university. Since Edward was receiving an income from real estate and investments, he was able to pursue his academic and scientific interests.

Edward Odlum was a busy man. He invented the first electric arc light and first public telephone used in Canada. He undertook ethnology studies among the bushmen and women of Australia, northern Europeans and Russians, Persians and Babylonians; served as a lay Methodist preacher and city alderman; formed a local ratepayers association; and was a member of the British Israelite Movement. This movement believes that the Britons are the lost tribe of Israel.

In 1904, Odlum built a large home in Grandview (you can see a photo of it then and now in this entry.) His son, Victor Wentworth Odlum, was an interesting man himself and you can read more about him here.

This next house I am showing you is at 1349 Cotton Drive. There hasn't been a building permit found for this home but city directories list it as early as 1908.

It is a modest example of the Gabled Vernacular Style. In other words, a simple house form with a front- gabled roof and an attached hipped-roof porch. From 1908 to 1910, a carpenter named Joseph Barrett lived here.

Cotton Drive is located in the Grandview district of Vancouver. It is named after Francis Lovett Carter-Cotton. Born in Yorkshire in 1847, this ambition man arrived in Vancouver after the Great Fire of 1886.

In 1887, Cotton bought two newspapers - the News and the Advertiser - and merged them into the News-Advertiser.

The News-Advertiser made the claim that it was the first paper on the continent to use an electric-powered press and and machine-set type, the latter seems unlikely. The Linotype machine, invented in 1886, was first tested at the New York Tribune.

Carter-Cotton served as an MLA from 1890 - 1903, Minister of Finance from 1893-1900, first chancellor of the University of British Columbia from 1912 to 1918 and first chair of the Vancouver Harbour Commission.

Sadly, things went bad for Carter-Cotton though. Financial difficulties led the man to drown himself in English Bay in 1919. However, the newspaperman and politician committed suicide with style "crisply attired in a business suit and hat carrying a neatly furled umbrella".

I would like to thank the Grandview Heritage Group for the information on the houses and the book Namely Vancouver by Tom Snyders and Jennifer O'Rourke for the information on Edward Odlum and Francis Carter-Cotton.

I hope you find the beauty around you.