Former 472 school

Built circa 1901 as a private house at the northeast corner of 19th and Ash, this tiny, side-gabled, woodframe structure is a good example of the pioneer Cottage style.

In 1908, it opened, under the direction of Miss H. Messon, as the second school in what was the Municipality of Point Grey. After the opening of Shaughnessy (later Edith Cavell) School, it reverted to a private residence.

Few people were aware of its history until the Fall of 1995, when it was threatened by demolition. The school was saved by the efforts of Douglas Park neighbourhood supporters, and by Allen and Bronna Fenichel, who offered to move the building to its present location on their property at 19th and Laurel.

Story Submission:

Randie Mills grew up on Heather Street and 18th Avenue where he lived with his mother and brother from 1963 until 1996. He walked by the original location of DL472 school twice every day on his way to Edith Cavell Elementary on 20th Avenue and Ash Street. He recalls a schoolmate who would always brag that they lived in the original Edith Cavell School.

Years later in the mid 1990’s (1995, he believes), Randie was driving past again and saw orange fences up around the boulevard trees - a sure sign that a house is coming down. He remembered what his old school friend had said and contacted the Vancouver Archives. To his disbelief, the old house was the oldest schoolhouse in South Vancouver/Point Grey.

He called the City and spoke with Robert Lemon, then a Senior Heritage Planner, who was shocked at the news. A very comprehensive search for historic properties to be placed on the Heritage Register had been conducted in 1986 and somehow this site had been missed. The next morning, he met with Robert Lemon and the then Mayor, Philip Owen, on the corner of West 19th Avenue and Ash Street to compare photos from an old, dusty book of early history on Vancouver schools. Later the same day, Randie was advised that Mayor Owen had personally intervened and cancelled the demolition permit.

Randie Mills was awarded a City of Vancouver Heritage Award for “his advocacy to preserve the original Edith Cavell ‘472’ Schoolhouse” in 1996.

Source

City of Vancouver Heritage Plaque Program