Historical building at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə/Riverview in Coquitlam goes down
Sad to see it go, on my birthday :(
1921 almost finished, made it to 100 years old. City of Coquitlam Archives C5.053
Monday, January 31, 2022
Administration building now demolished
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Administration Building to be razed
EXCLUSIVE: 100-year-old building at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə/Riverview to be razed
Will be sad to see this building go, it played an important part in the early history of the, Boys Industrial School of Coquitlam, aka ( BISCO ) There were a few errors in the article...
Most of the BISCO buildings were taken over in 1936,not the 1950's as stated in the article, and converted into the Homes for the Aged.
At that time the children were relocated on the site to the area where their school was, ( today an empty field ) and the nearby area where the Hillside unit is today, into a ramshackle collection of rapidly built buildings, that were primarily converted farm buildings. This situation created at least decent housing for the seniors; but caused huge problems for the children, who were supposidly under the governments care. The children and the Riverview patients had actually built large portions of the buildings, and the extensive landscaping of the site; in 2022, very little remains to remind us of what occurred on these lands in the past.
From 1936 onwards the children many would escape into the neighbouring areas and create even more problems, primarily because of their loss of community, that had been created by them. the escape problems became progressively worse until a new institution was built at Brannan Lake, near Nanaimo, and the children and many of the staff moved there in 1954. Brannan Lake in turn was closed in 1983, and converted into the Nanaimo Correctional Centre.
What it looked like when new.
This photograph circa 1929, note the extensive landscaping, and also the Kitchen Block in the upper left hand corner, This building was removed in the 1950's and made into a parking lot; which is probably what is going to happen the Administration building, front and centre, in 2022.
A collection of Boys industrial School of Coquitlam images at Flickr
It has been obvious for many years that there would be no attempt to save these buildings; since no attempts were made to waterproof the rooves, and the buildings were totally sealed up, without allowing any air to freely circulate. Destruction by neglect, typical government and developer policy.
By totally sealing up the buildings, the moulds and water infiltration become a huge problem and a HUGE HEALTH HAZARD to those who will be tasked to finally remove these buiildings, not to mention the greatly increased costs associated with this instilled behaviour.
Saturday, August 14, 2021
A few construction photos
The following images were found in the 1920-1921 Public Works report.
This is one of the Cottages ( possibly No.1 )
This photo is slightly different than one that I have previously posted; obviously taken the same day.
I think that this is also Cottage No.1
This is a small report from W. Whitaker, the supervising architect, about the progression of construction.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Photos from the annual reports
I finally have most of the annual reports of the Reformatories, Boys Industrial School for B.C.; fascinating information..
A flickr album that contains a few images that were found within the Annual Reports.
Two of the photos in particular, give a better idea of how extensive the farming component was of the Boys Industrial School. They were actually making money, which is probably why the farming was stopped.
Two photos taken years later, in the same general area 2006 and 1950's
Both of these photos were taken from the Soccer field, looking uphill. None of the buildings shown in these images exist today.
A flickr album that contains a few images that were found within the Annual Reports.
Two of the photos in particular, give a better idea of how extensive the farming component was of the Boys Industrial School. They were actually making money, which is probably why the farming was stopped.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Early photos of the future BISCO site
Coquitlam Archives put up a few photos; they obviously had no idea where they were taken, but I knew immediately where these photographs were taken.
"Power lines along road" This is actually looking over a field at the new rock wall; Burke Mountain in the distance. The road is today's Lougheed Highway in front of Riverview Hospital, the wall was removed when the highway was widened. Ca.1911-1919
"Stone fence and power lines along road" Now this is looking straight along the rock wall, Coquitlam Mountain way off in the distance. Today, Lougheed Highway is where this wall was.
Notice way off at the end of the field that there is two buildings one appears to be a church ! this is in the same location as the Power distribution building. Interesting that this was beside today's cemetery
The building to the left of it, is in the exact location of today's Ambulance Station, which was at one time the home of a BISCO official, the stated date for that home is 1923, but this photo must be before 1920, because BISCO was built in 1920. Makes me wonder if this home is earlier in date than stated, maybe it was the home of the resident theologian.?
"Fence and river" Notice the bridge on the left; it was never known until this image appeared that there was a bridge here at one time, probably lost in the 1921 flood, and never replaced. The Coquitlam River, today has been straightened out through here, the area with the river in it on the right is today land, and the river roughly parallels the wall. The future Lougheed Highway is of course just over the wall.
BISCO piggery. ca.1925; CVA 371-316 . This image was taken slightly higher in elevation, but almost looking in the same direction as the photo immediately above.
"Power lines along road" This is actually looking over a field at the new rock wall; Burke Mountain in the distance. The road is today's Lougheed Highway in front of Riverview Hospital, the wall was removed when the highway was widened. Ca.1911-1919
"Power lines along road 2" same as above
"Stone gates" Misnomer there :) ca.1911-1919. See below for a latter view
The Administration building. ca.1925; CVA 371-313
Note the wall on the left, now widened to accommodate the steps leading up past a water feature on the way to the Administration building. Sadly all of this was destroyed when the Lougheed Highway was widened, and when Valleyview 300 was built. View this Google Streetview Image, to see how it appears today from almost the same vantage point.
Note the wall on the left, now widened to accommodate the steps leading up past a water feature on the way to the Administration building. Sadly all of this was destroyed when the Lougheed Highway was widened, and when Valleyview 300 was built. View this Google Streetview Image, to see how it appears today from almost the same vantage point.
"Stone fence and power lines along road" Now this is looking straight along the rock wall, Coquitlam Mountain way off in the distance. Today, Lougheed Highway is where this wall was.
Notice way off at the end of the field that there is two buildings one appears to be a church ! this is in the same location as the Power distribution building. Interesting that this was beside today's cemetery
The building to the left of it, is in the exact location of today's Ambulance Station, which was at one time the home of a BISCO official, the stated date for that home is 1923, but this photo must be before 1920, because BISCO was built in 1920. Makes me wonder if this home is earlier in date than stated, maybe it was the home of the resident theologian.?
"Fence and river" Notice the bridge on the left; it was never known until this image appeared that there was a bridge here at one time, probably lost in the 1921 flood, and never replaced. The Coquitlam River, today has been straightened out through here, the area with the river in it on the right is today land, and the river roughly parallels the wall. The future Lougheed Highway is of course just over the wall.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Auditorium 1924
Sadly this building is long gone, it was in front of the present day, Hillside building.
Here is the article from "The Coquitlam News" 7 November 1924
Transcribed here for your perusal:
Auditorium formally opened
Boys did entire work of construction
Youth are self-governed
Packed to the doors, with all standing room occupied, the newly completed auditorium for the Boys' Industrial School was opened on Wednesday evening.
Entering―the program had well begun―the ready impression was that the pupils and their instructors were fully enjoying each other's confidence and were untiring in activity.
A magnificent building containing Class Rooms in addition to the "Assembly" So intensely interesting were the exercises from start to finish that the three hour program held to closest attention everyone in the audience.
After an opening address by Supt. D.B. Brankin, W.H. McGinnis, civil service commissioner was introduced by the speaker as Chairman. Mr. McGinnis, after formally declaring the new building opened, commented upon the marvellous changes during the past three years under the management of Supt. Brankin and his instructors, and also from the goodwill and labor of the boys themselves.
From a steep bare slope, which in winter had been a scene of mud and small torrents of water, beautifully healthful grounds had been formed he stated, on which handsome up-to-date buildings had been erected.
These included offices, classrooms, dormitories and even modern barns and poultry houses. The institution maintained that prize-winning herd of "Biscoq" purebred Jersey Cattle.
The best example of the proof that a "Boy is worth more than a dollar" is found in the result of the training at the Boys' Industrial for upright Canadian Citizens.
The program was one of the best in all probability that any one present had enjoyed. There was not a hitch. The songs, recitations, Playing acting, club exercises, flag drills all and each bore the impress of efficiency. In execution all bore evidence of careful preparation.
Just inimitable were most of the parts taken. Perhaps to the best advantage did they appear when taking the role of women or girls, then times without number, they “Brought down the house", The Skits were studied and skilful.
But Assemblage, Auditorium, Formal Opening and all were but setting...The real and underlying exhibition was concerning what the Boys are capable of doing.
These boys built the whole fabric. They did the plumbing, the cement work, the carpentry, the painting as well as the finishing work. So they have left the impression that the whole boy is going to School at Industrial. Wonderful exhibition of the things that can be accomplished by well directed activity!
It costs a few thousand dollars to train these boys for good clean industries and honest citizenship.
On the other hand it costs the Country millions to deal with its Delorme, its Loeb and its Leopold.
The accompaniment on the piano was by some of the boys themselves. As for the Band its leader, Mr. Ayling and the various members of it won the admiration of all present.
Mr. A. Rayner, on all occasions recognized as the Boys' Friend, sang in his own very captivating style, every note of several captivating songs.
Matron Mrs. Brankin, with all the assistance of the staff prepared the students and acted as coach where necessary.
Supt. Brankin gave an address in between the acts. It was interesting. The lumber used in the building was largely taken from old structures. There is a large Basement. On the ground floor is the spacious Auditorium, with stage and cinema equipment. The seating capacity is 300. Walls are well lined with prettily grained laminated material. The whole room is illuminated by lamps of various artistic design. On the floor above there are three classrooms, a teacher's room and library.
Among those present were;―
Rev. Dr. Sanford, New Westminster
Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, Maple Ridge
Dr. Carson, Marpole
Miss Hamilton, Matron, Marpole Hospital
School Trustee, Galer, Coquitlam
Mr. J.R. McKenzie, Coquitlam
Councillor Walker
Trustee W.J. Scott
Today, all that is there on this site is a small cinder-block generator building.
Things that you could not get the children to do today.
I think that the building was torn down in the 1960's, no one seems sure of an exact date.
Here is the article from "The Coquitlam News" 7 November 1924
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL GREATEST MONUMENT
Auditorium formally opened
Boys did entire work of construction
Youth are self-governed
Packed to the doors, with all standing room occupied, the newly completed auditorium for the Boys' Industrial School was opened on Wednesday evening.
Entering―the program had well begun―the ready impression was that the pupils and their instructors were fully enjoying each other's confidence and were untiring in activity.
A magnificent building containing Class Rooms in addition to the "Assembly" So intensely interesting were the exercises from start to finish that the three hour program held to closest attention everyone in the audience.
After an opening address by Supt. D.B. Brankin, W.H. McGinnis, civil service commissioner was introduced by the speaker as Chairman. Mr. McGinnis, after formally declaring the new building opened, commented upon the marvellous changes during the past three years under the management of Supt. Brankin and his instructors, and also from the goodwill and labor of the boys themselves.
From a steep bare slope, which in winter had been a scene of mud and small torrents of water, beautifully healthful grounds had been formed he stated, on which handsome up-to-date buildings had been erected.
These included offices, classrooms, dormitories and even modern barns and poultry houses. The institution maintained that prize-winning herd of "Biscoq" purebred Jersey Cattle.
The best example of the proof that a "Boy is worth more than a dollar" is found in the result of the training at the Boys' Industrial for upright Canadian Citizens.
The program was one of the best in all probability that any one present had enjoyed. There was not a hitch. The songs, recitations, Playing acting, club exercises, flag drills all and each bore the impress of efficiency. In execution all bore evidence of careful preparation.
Just inimitable were most of the parts taken. Perhaps to the best advantage did they appear when taking the role of women or girls, then times without number, they “Brought down the house", The Skits were studied and skilful.
But Assemblage, Auditorium, Formal Opening and all were but setting...The real and underlying exhibition was concerning what the Boys are capable of doing.
These boys built the whole fabric. They did the plumbing, the cement work, the carpentry, the painting as well as the finishing work. So they have left the impression that the whole boy is going to School at Industrial. Wonderful exhibition of the things that can be accomplished by well directed activity!
It costs a few thousand dollars to train these boys for good clean industries and honest citizenship.
On the other hand it costs the Country millions to deal with its Delorme, its Loeb and its Leopold.
The accompaniment on the piano was by some of the boys themselves. As for the Band its leader, Mr. Ayling and the various members of it won the admiration of all present.
Mr. A. Rayner, on all occasions recognized as the Boys' Friend, sang in his own very captivating style, every note of several captivating songs.
Matron Mrs. Brankin, with all the assistance of the staff prepared the students and acted as coach where necessary.
Supt. Brankin gave an address in between the acts. It was interesting. The lumber used in the building was largely taken from old structures. There is a large Basement. On the ground floor is the spacious Auditorium, with stage and cinema equipment. The seating capacity is 300. Walls are well lined with prettily grained laminated material. The whole room is illuminated by lamps of various artistic design. On the floor above there are three classrooms, a teacher's room and library.
Among those present were;―
Rev. Dr. Sanford, New Westminster
Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, Maple Ridge
Dr. Carson, Marpole
Miss Hamilton, Matron, Marpole Hospital
School Trustee, Galer, Coquitlam
Mr. J.R. McKenzie, Coquitlam
Councillor Walker
Trustee W.J. Scott
Things that you could not get the children to do today.
I think that the building was torn down in the 1960's, no one seems sure of an exact date.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Early stages of Cottages 2 and 3
This image was in the Riverview Heritage Society collection, and used in the Coquitlam 100 years book, some of the pictures of which are now online HERE.
The foundation is being dug for Cottage 3 in this photo dated 28 June 1920, and the foundation and half brick wall of Cottage 2 is visible in the far left. Note the light rail being used to move the excavated materials, probably be human, and horse power, also note that the area was previously being used for farming, the line of short trees in the upper middle to right are probably defining where Davidson Creek is. Coquitlam River in the far middle distance LINK
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