I will leave this cache as a multi-cache, because I sincerely hope that many of you will still decide to take the Architectural Tour, or at least take the opportunity to view some of the interesting old houses in this area. However, due to renovations, demolitions, additions, and those things that a revitalizing neighbourhood brings with it, the answers may be subject to change. As a result, I will provide the final coordinates for those who would prefer to just grab the cache. Maybe it will mean a little more traffic for this one: The cache can be found at N 53° 34.801 W 113° 29.560
It is easy to find information about the architectural history of Edmonton’s most famous and recognizable buildings. Many old buildings in the city feature various heritage designations. Unfortunately, many of the most interesting old neighbourhoods in the city are also among the most troubled and ignored. This architectural history tour will take you on a drive/walk/bike ride through Norwood, a part of Edmonton that is often overlooked. Many of the homes are historical, well kept, and interesting, and this area is slowly gentrifying. I find it discouraging that most of Edmonton’s historic and architecturally interesting neighborhoods are considered undesirable and oft-maligned. This area is safe on foot, bike or car.
If you are a “numbers-focused” geocacher, this cache probably won’t be your cup of tea. It can take 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your mode of transport. If you are interested in Edmonton’s history, exploring interesting neighborhoods, and architectural history, you will undoubtedly find this multi-cache interesting, however.
Now let's explore the neighborhood and it's architecture!
California Bungalow
97 Street is lined with California Bungalows on both sides of the street. Curiously, the homes on the West side of the street are finished with brick, whereas the homes on the east side are finished with stucco. California Bungalows were popular from the turn of the century until the mid/late twenties. These homes are designed to maximize a city lot, and often feature a sunroom or large porch at the front. Most California bungalows in Alberta have these rooms enclosed, providing a sunroom in the warmer months and saving heat in the winter months. The construction of California Bungalows on a main thoroughfare such as 97 Street (a major transportation route since Edmonton developed) makes logical sense; the bedrooms are nearly always located at the rear of the house.
Q1. Between 114 Ave and 115 Avenue, at the Northwest end of the block, there are four houses in a row. Of these four, only one is not a traditional “California Bungalow”. What is the last number of the address of this house?
This number = A.
Craftsman Bungalow
The Craftsman Bungalow developed out of the California Bungalow. The architectural trademarks that define the Craftsman style include wooden shakes, a large front porch, wooden pillars supporting a roof above the porch, and low pitched rooflines. The Craftsman bungalow became popular in the 1910s-1930s. A Craftsman home often cost more than a simple California bungalow, as more materials were needed to create the more intricate and less utilitarian architectural features. Notice on the picture right the porch pillars resting on ornamental bases. Also, note the prominence of the roof over the front porch, as opposed to the more traditional California Bungalow above. Craftsman Bungalows were often larger, and contained at least one bedroom in the second-floor gable. Craftsman-style homes are very common in Vancouver’s older neighbourhoods, they are somewhat less common in Edmonton. Examples exist in this neighborhood, Old Strathcona, Westmount and Inglewood.
Q2. 53 33.778 113 29.409
At these coordinates on the West side of the street you will find a very colorful Craftsman Bungalow. What is the last number of the address? This is B.
Dutch Colonial Influence
On this street you will find several homes with a unique Dutch-Colonial influence. These homes feature gambrel eaves, and a barn-like roof. This style leads to more space on the upper level, and full height ceilings throughout the second story (as opposed to rooms in the gable of the roof). Dutch Colonial homes are quite common on Long Island, NY, but very rare in Edmonton. This street features at least three of them in several blocks. A traditional Dutch Colonial home is oriented with the long-side of the house parallel to the street; these homes are turned 90 degrees to fit onto a standard city lot.
Q3.
53 33.658 113 29.405
Here you will find a house (Southeast corner of this intersection) with a Dutch Colonial roof. What is the predominant color of the house? (the color of the siding)
Light Red= 30
Maroon=31
Blue= 32
Green= 33
White= 34
This number is C.
Levittown Bungalow
The Levittown Bungalow, or Post-WWII bungalow is a mass produced home that is very common in Edmonton’s inner ring of suburbs. These homes are generally quite plain; there are (usually) no dormers, have at least one bedroom in the attic, and are around 1000 sq/ft. These homes have the distinction of ignoring architectural creativity to maximize affordability and mass production. These homes were among the first to have hollow doors, plain siding, little or no ornamenation and (usually) no front porch. The homes were designed/built en masse to accommodate the boom in population and veterans in need of housing after WWII. The most famous example of this architecture is Levittown, NY; the first American suburb of mass-produced homes. The homes in that suburb looked quite similar to the homes found on this street. An almost perfectly intact street of Levittown Bungalows can be found in the Sherbrooke neighbourhood on 130 Street, South of 122 Avenue. Other neighborhoods with numerous Levittown Bungalows include Hazeldean, Parkallen, McKernan and Dovercourt.
How many dormers does the Levittown bungalow at 11339 91 St. have facing the street? This number is D.
The Foursquare House (Prairie Box)
One of the most popular homes of the early 20th century was the Foursquare House. These homes were inexpensive to build, roomier than a bungalow, fit on a standard city lot, and more affordable than a Queen Anne-style home. The beauty of this home is in its simplicity- often these houses feature a large, front dormer in the attic, little ornamentation, and a four room layout on the ground floor. Very popular throughout the American Midwest, this is the most common home style found in Edmonton’s pre-1920 neighbourhoods. The simplicity of the Foursquare house, and their prevalence in the American Midwest, led some to dub them the “Prairie Box”. The simple splendor of a Foursquare House influenced the simple, straight lines of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Prairie” style architecture. Many of the homes in the Westmount architectural preservation area (124 St/111 Ave) are Foursquare-style homes. Other neighborhoods featuring this style include Inglewood, Old Strathcona, Boyle-McCauley and Oliver.
At 11315 93 Street, how many windows are on the second floor front of this Prairie Foursquare home?
This number is E.
Streamline Moderne Gas Station
The Streamline Moderne style of architecture is often associated with the automobile and its golden age- the 1950s and the 1960s. Streamline Moderne architecture incorporates forward-thinking design. Features often included:
- Smooth surfaces and rounded corners.
- Lack of ornamentation
- Asymmetrical design
- Simplified forms as circles, inspired by portholes used in ship.
- Racing stripes given a feeling of speed and motion
- Horizontal composition
- Bands of windows
- Eyebrow overhangs shade the window
- Flat roofs
- Glass block
These architectural features were often incorporated into commercial buildings; gas stations, movie theatres, and diners. Most Streamline Moderne buildings were built between the end of WWII and the early 1960s.
What business currently operates out of the old “Streamline Moderne-style” gas station on Norwood Boulevard (111 Ave)?
Pawn Shop= 5
Towing Company=6
Dentist Office= 7
Bakery= 8
Used Car Dealership= 9
This is “F”
Spanish Revival Style Home
The Spanish Revival home is a rarity in Edmonton, although it is incredibly popular in California and the American Southwest. Features of Spanish Revival architecture include asymmetry, (generally) a whitewashed stucco finish, unique ornate windows, and rooftop décor. This house is a small version of a Spanish Revival home; the picture on the right depicts a much larger one. Visit at 53.33.775 113.29.526.
How many homes are found between this house, and the nearest avenue?
This number is G.
Cache found at 53.C.8DG, 113 EF 5BA.
Because of the time, hard work, and probably gas that you will put into this cache, the FTF will receive a limited edition UBC Geograd GeoGuitar unactivated geocoin.