Deer Lake History - Altnadene Traditional Cache
Deer Lake History - Altnadene
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"Altnadene", also known as the Mather's house is the most visible of the Deer Lake properties located close to the corner of Canada Way and Kensington Ave.
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:
Altnadene shortly after completion, 1912
Altnadene 1939 under the care of the Benedictine monks
The somewhat sinister renovations by the Temple for More Abundant Life remain in 1975
"Altnadene" was built by William and Mary Mathers in 1912. William met Mary in the parlour of Fredrick and Alice Hart's home nearby and were married shortly after. When F.J. Hart created the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision the Mathers purchased the two blocks on the most prominent corner of the property.
Designed by FW Macey who also designed "Avalon", the Hart family's home. Altnadene is an example of the Romanesque Revival style incorporating a pyaramid roof, tower with battlements and a series of arched windows. The cost was reported in the newspapers of the day to have a cost of about $13,000. The family lived in it until it was sold in 1935 after Mr. Mathers died.
The estate had a few owners until being sold to the Benedictine Monks in 1939 who converted it into the Seminary of Christ the King. This order also bought the "Fairacres" property and other nearby properties including the Anderson House just to the south of Mather's House that housed a small order of the Grey Nuns. They constructed a gym, rec room, dining hall and kitchen which is now the wing of the Shadbolt Centre that holds the James Cowan Theatre just west of the Mather's house. The order owned the property until 1954 when they moved to the newly constructed Westminster Abbey in Mission.
The next occupant was probably the most bizzare. The Canadian Temple of the Universal Foundation of More Abundant Life took over the property. This was a communal religious order with many of its followers living at Deer Lake. They renovated several properties, including some rather startling changes to the battlement tower. The spiritual leader was William Franklin Wolsey, known to his followers as Archbishop John I. Though it seems odd, they became part of the mainstream culture, including being the original charter sponsor of a Burnaby Scout group that still exists.
Wolsey left for the US rather abruptly after it was disclosed he was wanted on petty theft and bigamy charges (and possibly others). The order declined after that.
The City of Burnaby did not purchase this property with the rest of the commune's property in 1966 but finally purchased it in 1971. It is part of the Burnaby Arts Centre Complex and is used for art classes, most notably the pottery studios. While you are here you may wish to visit the Anderson House and the Shadbolt Centre (named after Doris Shadbolt rather than her artist husband Jack). The atrium great hall is spectacular and boasts incredible views from its windows to the natural environment outside.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Zntargvp, ynetr tngr - pybfrfg gb gur ynxr.