Saanich Heritage Foundation

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Saanich Heritage Foundation

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The society's purpose is to promote the preservation, maintenance and restoration of buildings.

10/25/2026

🏡 PAST & PRESENT | O’KELLY RESIDENCE – 2826 COLQUITZ AVENUE

Built in 1911, the O’Kelly Residence is a charming example of an Edwardian vernacular bungalow, reflecting the residential development of Saanich in the early 20th century. But beyond its architectural details, this house has some interesting stories to tell about the families who lived here.

🏡 THE O’KELLY FAMILY (1911–1922)

The house was originally built for Herman Reed O’Kelly (1853–1930) and his wife Hattie (née Sheffard, 1854–1922), farmers originally from Kentucky and Virginia. The couple moved to the Victoria area shortly before constructing their Colquitz Avenue home.

They later relocated to 2814 Holland Avenue, where Hattie died suddenly in August 1922.

🏡 THE COLLARD FAMILY (1922–1937)

The next chapter in the house's history belonged to the Collard family.

Jeanette Dewar Collard lived at 2826 Colquitz Avenue until her death in May 1937. Her obituary provides a glimpse into the family's connections, mentioning her sons Charles D. Collard of Victoria and Richard R. Collard of Winnipeg, as well as her daughter, Mrs. A. C. Rosie of Victoria.

🏡 THE BOAM FAMILY (1947–1949)

By the late 1940s, the house was home to Frederick Charles and Eva Boam and their family.

Originally from Sheffield, England, Eva arrived in Canada in 1919, living in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, before moving to Victoria in 1935.

A December 1946 newspaper announcement records the marriage of their daughter, Betty Barrington-Boam, to Robert James Lambert. Betty was given away by her brother Jack, and the wedding reception was held at Victoria's Kit Kat Café.

Another newspaper clipping reveals that the house also served as a gathering place for the Victoria Branch of the Canadian Red Cross. Members of the Gorge Unit were invited to meet at Mrs. E. Boam's home at 2826 Colquitz Avenue.

Eva died in December 1965 at the age of 75, leaving behind two sons, a daughter and 11 grandchildren.

🏛️ THE ARCHITECTURE

The O’Kelly Residence is a fine example of a standard builder-designed Edwardian bungalow, similar to others constructed along nearby Boleskine Road.

Although based on a common house type, owners could personalize their homes by selecting architectural features such as siding, bay windows and dormers.

Notable features of this residence include:

▪️ Double-bevelled wood siding

▪️ A distinctive bellcast, hipped roof with wide dormers

▪️ A semi-octagonal front bay window

▪️ An inset front porch with chamfered square columns and a closed balustrade

▪️ A rectangular bay window along the side elevation

More than a century after its construction, the O’Kelly Residence continues to illustrate the architectural character of early Saanich.

And thanks to historic photographs and newspaper archives, we can appreciate not only the building itself, but also the everyday lives, family celebrations and community connections that unfolded within its walls.

📷 Photographs: Saanich Archives, including a photograph taken between 1987 and 1990 by Jennifer and Colin Barr, and a more recent view.

📰 Historic newspaper clippings: Family obituaries, wedding announcement and Red Cross notice.

10/23/2026

Don't miss the Ghost Stories and Tour at Craigflower Manor Farmhouse Museum, Sunday, October 25th. By Reservation Only. [email protected]

10/21/2026

Explore art's transformative power in the Art for Well-Being 50yrs+ Workshop

Guided by Art Therapist Dr. Lucille Proulx and with Cedar Hill's featured artist, Linda Bedard, participants will reflect, discuss, and create art to enhance wellbeing, relaxation, and connection.

Supplies included.

Art for Well-Being ( #163216)
📆 Wednesday, November 18, from 10am to noon
📍 Cedar Hill Recreation Centre

Register online at bit.ly/3WgwnjC or saanich.ca/register.

Offered in partnership with Silver Threads Services.

10/18/2026

🏡 KOBBLEHURST — 2895 Colquitz Avenue
A Family Story Connecting Saanich and Victoria

Built in 1911 | Heritage-Designated
Designed and built by David Herbert Bale
Original Owners: Cowper & Willemetta Newbury

Did you know that two beautiful heritage homes, one in Saanich and the other in Victoria's James Bay neighbourhood, share a fascinating family connection?

Today, we're joining the Victoria Heritage Foundation to tell the story of the Newbury family and their two historic homes.

From James Bay to the Countryside

Cowper William Newbury (1866–1930) and Willemetta Jane Morley (1875–1972) were both born in Victoria and married in 1901. Their families were among the city's early settlers. Cowper's parents arrived in 1863, while Willemetta's family had arrived aboard the Norman Morison in 1853.

Cowper worked for more than 20 years at the Victoria Post Office before ill health forced him to retire in 1908, at just 42 years of age.

Around 1910, Cowper's older brother, John Cowper Newbury (1862–1934), purchased 20 acres of former farmland north of the Gorge. John subdivided the property into residential lots, naming two streets Newbury Street and Cowper Street in honour of his family's surnames. Both street names survive today!

Cowper purchased four lots from his brother, hoping to enjoy a quieter life in what was then considered the countryside.

In 1911, prominent Victoria designer and contractor David Herbert Bale built the couple a handsome Arts and Crafts residence at 2895 Colquitz Avenue, which they named Kobblehurst.

A Craftsman Treasure

Kobblehurst is considered one of Saanich's finest examples of an early Craftsman bungalow.

The one-and-one-half-storey house features a broad front-facing gable with decorative half-timbering, cedar shingle siding, substantial fieldstone chimneys, and a welcoming covered verandah supported by heavy brackets and stone piers.

Its picturesque appearance and natural materials reflect the Arts and Crafts movement's emphasis on craftsmanship and harmony with the surrounding landscape.

Gardens, Dahlias and Prize-Winning Goats! 🌸🐐

Life at Kobblehurst was anything but idle!

Cowper and Willemetta developed beautiful gardens and became enthusiastic participants in local horticultural exhibitions, winning numerous prizes for their sweet peas and dahlias.

Cowper also raised a prize-winning herd of Saanen goats and was an active member of the British Columbia Goat Breeders Association.

Following Cowper's death in 1930, Willemetta continued to own Kobblehurst until her death in 1972, preserving the family's connection to the property for more than six decades.

But where did the Newburys live before Kobblehurst?

Before moving to Saanich, Cowper and Willemetta lived in another beautiful heritage-designated home at 131–133 South Turner Street in James Bay, built for them in 1903.

👉 Head over to the Victoria Heritage Foundation's page today to discover their earlier Queen Anne residence and learn more about the family's connections to historic James Bay!

Two houses. Two municipalities. One family story. ❤️

10/17/2026

🏛️ SAANICH MUNICIPAL HALL — A CENTRE OF CIVIC LIFE

Today is municipal election day in Saanich, and we're looking back at a familiar landmark that has played an important role in the municipality's civic history.

This colour photograph, taken circa 1979, shows the Saanich Civic Centre, now generally known as Saanich Municipal Hall, at 770 Vernon Avenue.

The building is an interesting example of the modern civic architecture that emerged during the postwar decades, a striking contrast to the more traditional municipal buildings of the early twentieth century.

Its long horizontal rooflines, extensive glazing, vertical architectural elements and prominent central entrance reflect a distinctly modern approach to public building design.

The landscaped grounds, flagpoles and prominent "Saanich Civic Centre" sign reinforce its role as a centre of municipal administration.

As Saanich grew from its rural beginnings into an increasingly urban and suburban municipality, its civic buildings also evolved to accommodate the needs of a growing population.

Municipal Hall has been the setting for generations of council meetings, public discussions and decisions affecting Saanich's neighbourhoods, parks, roads and community facilities.

Today, the building remains a recognizable landmark and an important part of Saanich's civic identity.

🗳️ Saturday, October 17, 2026 — Municipal Election Day.

As residents cast their ballots, we are reminded that Saanich's history is not only found in its historic houses and landscapes, but also in the public institutions and places that have shaped the community.

📷 Saanich Archives, 1989-027-001b. Saanich Civic Centre, circa 1979.

10/15/2026

🗳️ A HISTORIC FIRST — WOMEN ON SAANICH COUNCIL

As municipal election day approaches, we're sharing a photograph that represents an important milestone in Saanich's political history.

This 1952 photograph of Saanich Municipal Council includes Grace Shaw, seated in the front row, second from the right.

In 1951, Grace Shaw became the first woman elected to Saanich Council, marking a significant change in the municipality's political representation.

Her election came more than four decades after Saanich was incorporated in 1906, during a period when women were increasingly entering public office and taking on leadership roles in their communities.

During her time on council, Shaw supported opportunities for women in municipal employment, including changes that would allow married women to be hired and promoted by the municipality.

The photograph captures a moment of transition. Just 22 years earlier, the 1930 Saanich Council photograph featured an entirely male council. By 1952, a woman had taken her place at the council table.

Also identified in the photograph are Stan Eden, Casey and J.B. Tribe in the front row, along with Passmore and Wooten in the back row.

As Saanich residents prepare to elect their municipal representatives on October 17, this photograph reminds us how local government has evolved and how individuals have contributed to that change.

📅 Saanich Municipal Election — Saturday, October 17, 2026.

📷 Saanich Archives, 2012-015-023. Saanich Council, 1952.

10/14/2026

🗳️ SAANICH MUNICIPAL COUNCIL — 1930

As Saanich prepares for the municipal election on Saturday, October 17, we're looking back at the people who helped shape the municipality nearly a century ago.

This wonderful photographic montage from 1930 features the members of Saanich Municipal Council, photographed by Gibson.

At the time, Saanich was still a relatively young municipality, having been incorporated in 1906. What had begun as a largely rural community of farms, orchards and scattered settlements was gradually changing as roads, transportation networks and residential neighbourhoods developed.

Municipal councils played an important role in guiding that transformation, making decisions about roads, public services, taxation and land development.

The photograph also offers an interesting glimpse into the political landscape of the period. All ten members pictured are men, reflecting an era when women had yet to gain representation on Saanich Council.

Among those pictured is Councillor William Richard Woods, shown at the bottom left. Woods is also commemorated on the Saanich Honour Roll for his military service during the First World War.

Nearly 100 years later, Saanich has grown and changed considerably, but the decisions made by successive municipal councils continue to shape the community we know today.

📅 Saanich Municipal Election — Saturday, October 17, 2026.

📷 Saanich Archives, 1981-004-016. Saanich Municipal Council, 1930. Photograph by Gibson.

10/11/2026

On this day in 1867, Francis Rattenbury was born. He designed buildings including BC's legislative building and the Empress Hotel. He was murdered by his wife's lover in 1935.

📸 BC Archives

Learn more in my Deep Dive 👇
https://canadaehx.com/2026/04/03/francis-rattenbury/

10/11/2026

The ghosts and ghouls have returned to the BC Aviation Museum Hagar for another Halloween Haunt! Join us Friday October 23rd as we celebrate Halloween for a museum wide scavenge hunt, trick or treating, a tour of the Haunted Viscount and a day of fun.

Regular admission required, hours 10am to 4pm.

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