The Deer Lake History caches will take you on a tour of Burnaby’s most unique heritage area. The area between Deer Lake and Burnaby Lake was the first settlement in Burnaby in 1861 along the Douglas Road stagecoach road to New Westminster. In 1956 the City Hall was relocated to the area because it was the geographical centre of the city (finally ending the north/south debate). Since that time there has been an active process to acquire the lake and adjacent lands for the enjoyment of the community. All the properties in the tour are owned by the City of Burnaby. Some have public use, some are leased to organizations, one is leased as a private residence. There is fascinating history behind some of these buildings. A City of Burnaby walking tour brochure can be found HERE.
Some of the caches can be drive up and each can be found on their own, but to catch the true flavour of the Deer Lake area, I would suggest parking at Deer Lake Beach and doing the caches in the the following order, taking the roadway on the way out and returning to your car along the lakeshore trail:
Baldwin House
Eagle's Estate
Avalon
Altnadene
Fairacres
Deerholme
You may also wish to take some time to visit the Burnaby Village Museum which you will encounter on your way built on the Elworth grounds – another heritage property. It has a number of important historical buildings moved to the site as well as replica buildings of the1920's setting. It also houses two restoration projects spearheaded and completed by volunteers - the 1912 era 1223 Interurban tram car, and the beautiful 1912 C W Parker carousel formerly located at Playland at the PNE. The museum has free admission for 2012 while carousel rides are available for $2.30.The facility is open Victoria Day to Labour Day, then over the Christmas season.
About this Cache:
Fairacres Estate 1913, aviary is shown on the side of the house.
People in the gardens of Fairacres in 1912
Touring car outside Fairacres 1912
Henry Tracy Ceperley was the head of the largest real estate and insurance company firm in BC. He and his 2nd wife Grace purchased George Clayton's strawberry farm in 1909 with the intention of building a retirement home. It was rumoured that Grace used her own money to build the country estate. In 1912 a newspaper report claimed the palatial home on the 20 acre estate cost $150,000.
The mansion was designed by Vancouver architect R P S Twizell. He chose the popular English Arts & Crafts style to blend well into the natural landscape. The Ceperley House, with its river rock veranda, beautiful hand-crafted woodwork, stained-glass and tile, remains one of the finest examples of Edwardian architecture in the Lower Mainland. The hand-pegged front door of 2" oak and leaded glass windows attest to the quality of construction.
There were originally 9 outbuildings of which only a few remain but those are largely the way they originally were. Along with the buildings was a wonderful garden as part of 10 acres of landscaped land. These included a pergola, a rose and vine arbour, and a concrete lagoon with a small island and connecting footbridge.
The gardens were largely destroyed by later homeowners who could not afford the upkeep of the gardens. The creation of the Century Gardens in 1966 destroyed the remaining garden plan but retained many original trees and shrubs.
One of the largest battles Grace had with the architect was to insist on an aviary off the dining room. He felt that it just did not belong. Grace was a bird fancier and conceived the tower as home for her collection of birds.
Though Grace poured enormous energy into the home, she did not enjoy it for too long as she died in 1917 after a brief illness. She left Fairacres to her husband with the instructions that if he sold it the proceeds would be used to build a children's playground in Stanley Park. Thus Ceperley Playground was born.
The next owner was the Bogardus family. They loved to entertain and would invite groups out for the weekend to hunt then have a ball complete with orchestra later. The next owner was the Buscombe family who had 3 daughters. The social event of the 1926 was when one of the daughters married. The local school children were given a half-day off school to watch the bridal party return from the church. There were several other owners before the next major change.
A community of Benedictine monks sought to establish a seminary. Suitable property was hard to find but they purchased a 26 acre parcel that included both Fairacres and Altnadene for the "frightening" price of $13,000.
They build a gym, rec room, dining rooms and kitchen between the two properties. This was converted to the James Cowan Theatre which was later greatly improved when the Shadbolt Centre was built alongside it. The monks made many changes but also preserved many other parts of the estates. They were hardworking and industrious. They remained at Deer Lake until the construction of their Westminster Abbey was completed in Mission in 1954.
The next owners were by far the most unorthodox. The Canadian Temple of the Universal Foundation of More Abundant Life purchased the property in 1954. This was a religious order dedicated to communal living. Many of the members lived in houses on site. They added to the gymnasium, and altered some of the other houses. Archbishop John I was their spiritual leader. He left rather abruptly for the US after it was found he had outstanding warrants for petty theft and bigamy. The well known journalist Jack Webster was responsible for exposing him.
The Fairacres mansion was leased in 1965 for a short time to a fraternity from the newly opened SFU. There were many problems which led to their eviction. They protested and lit a bonfire on the floor of the Billiard Room. The City of Burnaby purchased the entire collection of properties to be turned into a cultural centre as their Centennial project for 1967.
Today the Fairacres mansion is home to the Burnaby Art Gallery. Much work has been done to restore the home to its original condition. It is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday. They don't mind if patrons are more interested in the architecture than the art.
Letterbox Instructions: Start at a large rock with a plaque. Total distance to the final will be about 400 metres as the crow flies.
The garden beckons, circles and lines - if you see the sign of the zodiac you will be just fine. (right turn)
To the next circle, don’t be led astray onward and upward is the way. You can travel the roundabout to be correct or just signal a turn at the first right.
You glance right and are astounded - dragon’s eggs here? I must take a look for an explanation. A plaque solves the mystery, a pretty cool spot but we must keep going no time to stop.
At this circle, so many choices, find the Blue Ensign that may be the way!
At the next circle a White Tigress gives you 5 choices. Try door #3 going against the clock. If you pass by Fasteosum you’re on the right track.
The building may beckon but not quite yet; say hi to Mary as you pass by. Past the grand terraced staircase be quiet and listen, when you hear a babble, make a left for a diversion.
Words to live by inscribed on a stone. A gnarled grand tree, the branches old and twisted; walk round it on the path to keep your feet dry, enjoy views all around what do you see?
Cross over the stream to Yoohoo! and Qing, best place in the park for a staring contest I think! Head left at Meta, continue to keep your eyes open to scan.
Past water for people to a firefighter’s friend. Signs that inform and buildings all round.
Cross over the path then to your right - the front of a house where you can imagine a hobbit might alight. By the cottage - a sign to learn about long ago times.
Wander along on the driveway, past the grand house, to a big old/new building, that's where you're at; so many doors for so many things.
When you continue to your right when commanded to stop, continue to explore rather than return to where you’ve been before (turn left).
Walking the path for multis may not be as nice but after a bit here’s a trail not a road to the left; that will suffice.
Keep your head up to see what surrounds, herons and nests sometimes abound. Round the 3rd curve, in the distance - a sign, stop right here and you’ll be just fine.
See the Siamese twins on your right; proceed as a clock, shortly you will find the cache yes you might!
Before you move on, remember your lessons, please rehide with cammo so muggling is lessened.
Geocache instructions: Start at the posted coordinates.
1. On the plaque - how many main members of the centennial committee are there (in the first block)? = A
2. From here proceed to N 49° 14.492 W 122° 58.247. How many letters in the second name of each of the black or white? = B
3. Next proceed N 49° 14.436 W 122° 58.253. How many letters are in the first name of Yoohoo! = C
4. Next proceed N 49° 14.438 W 122° 58.289 . Add together the three smaller digits of the year of the bottom photo. = D
5. Next proceed N 49° 14.472 W 122° 58.299 . How many photos excluding the header are on this sign? = E
6. Next proceed N 49° 14.485 W 122° 58.294. How many windows on the lower level have only 4 panes of glass? = F
Final coordinates N 49 14.ABC W 122 58.DEF