56 Royal Avenue (house no longer exists)

Date: 1890 to 1934
Location: New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Surnames/tags: English-1815 English-1913 Molineux-24

56 ROYAL AVENUE, NEW WESTMINSTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Marshall Martin English had this home at 56 Royal Avenue built for his daughter, Virgie and her new husband, Oscar Edwin Darling. The Darlings lived there for some time until Oscar became the magistrate in Steveston. They relocated, probably to the English farming property near Steveston, where Oscar was extensively and successfully engaged in diversified farming.

In about 1916, "Clay" William Barclay English and his mother, Fanny (Molineux) English, who were living at 119 Royal Avenue, moved into the house at 56 Royal Avenue initially built for Virgie & Oscar Darling. At that time, Clay's youngest sister, "Fan" Frances Manuelita (English), and her husband Henry Doyle were living at 56 Royal Avenue, so there was a switch with Clay and Fanny, and the Doyle's relocated to 119 Royal Avenue.

To help him with his tasks of homeowner and caregiver, Clay hired a Mrs. Wheeler as a housekeeper. After his mother's death in 1934 at age 85, Clay remained for a short time in the house. He sold the house, and then lived at the Westminster Club which had been established in 1889 as a private gentlemen's club. His father had been president of this men's club in its infancy. Living in a men's club was usual for single men as room & board and a social environment were all provided.

At some point the property at 56 Royal was needed for either the off-ramp of the new Pattullo Bridge across the Fraser River or for an apartment building, and was torn down.

Sources

• 56 Royal Avenue from Newletter from the Steveston Community Society at www.stevestoncommunitysociety.com

• Westminster Club from www.bclocalnews.com