The Oak Bay Encyclopedia ^TM
T . H . E . .. E . A . R . L . Y . .. Y . E . A . R . S

A listing of noteworthy
people, places and things from
Oak Bay's early years

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Click on any letter, above, to visit specific section of encyclopedia

	H
	Haida killer whale
	famous Oak Bay attraction from 1969–1982
	Record Album Cover Click on image to view enlargement
	Hall Road see Street/Place Names section
	Hallowe'en Bonfire
	an annual tradition since 1938
	The first public Hallowe'en Bonfire was staged by the Oak Bay firefighters in 1938 on the land adjoining the firehall.
	"For me Halloween brings back memories of fantastic fireworks in the local Chinese stores, the bonfire at the firehall with Fred Usher's band entertaining and, when I was quite young, going "trick or treating." Tricks were played on those who persisted in handing out apples, and on the dentist who handed out toothbrushes instead of candy. A few readers will smile when I mention that occasionally during the evening very loud explosions would be heard indicating a homemade devise had been set off. The usual pranks of window soaping and reducing the Bowker Creek bridge to a few planks continued year after year. On one memorable occasion around noon the Sunday morning following Halloween, a rather forlorn person dressed as a robot and looking very out of place was seen wandering down Hampshire Road after having been arrested for causing a disturbance by being drunk the previous evening. This robot went on to become a respected member of the investment community in Victoria. — Richard Goodall, OBHS class of 1960
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hamiota Street see Street/Place Names section
	Hampshire Hall see Hampshire Road Methodist Church
	Hampshire House women's clothing 2247 Oak Bay Avenue (...1934–1970... city directories / phone books)
Former location of Oak Bay Library and Book Shop
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hampshire House condos 1159 Beach Drive
	Hampshire House
	Hampshire House was build in the 1960s on property adjacent to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Originally offering just rental apartments, the building was subsequently converted to 36 condominium units.
	The front profile, off Beach Drive, shows three levels, but the complex is built down to the beach front, allowing for six levels on the waterfront.
	"This apartment building was constructed as a rental building in the 1960s. I recall meeting a Paul Hansen, who had been CFO of Taco Bell down in the States. He came here to retire — and the first thing he did was sub-divide Hampshire House into condominiums. The concrete and steel building was renovated inside and outside during the period 2004–7 at the same time the new Oak Bay Beach Hotel was constructed. The building has a website at < www.1159beach.com >" — Bill Smith, Hampshire House resident
1 Hampshire House sits on the former 7-acre waterfront property, Bongate, of Oak Bay's first reeve, William E Oliver. Also sitting on Oliver's former property are the Harrogate Apartments and the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.
	see Bongate
	Hampshire Meat Market 2215 Oak Bay Avenue (1935 phone book)
Previous location of Harrison Grocery Subsequent location of Cross Markets, meat
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hampshire Road see Street/Place Names section
	Hampshire Road Methodist Church 1913–1925 1792 North Hampshire Road
	Methodists and Presbyterians amalgamate to form the Oak Bay United Church
	The Hampshire Road Methodist Church1 was built in 1913 at 1792 Hampshire Road (at Cranmore Road).
	A year later the St. Columba Presbyterian Church moved from 1602 Hulton (now Redfern) into Oak Bay to its new building at Granite and Mitchell Streets.
	On June 10, 1925, the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches across Canada amalgamated to become the United Church of Canada. Consequently, that same month, the Hampshire Road Methodist Church became the Hampshire Road United Church, and the St. Columba Presbyterian Church became St. Columba United Church.
	A year later these two congregations merged to become the Oak Bay United Church, with services held at the Granite and Mitchell Streets church.
	The Hampshire Road building was now referred to as Hampshire Hall and used for the Sunday school classes of Oak Bay United Church up to 1947.
	In 1948, the building was sold to the Glad Times Tabernacle and called Oak Bay Tabernacle.
	Over the years the hall was used by various sport groups and other organizations before being demolished in 1967 to make way for a medical/dental clinic. Neighbourhood protests stopped the building of the clinic and a house was subsequently moved onto the property.
1 The church was originally referred to as Willows Church when the congregation held services in the waiting room of the Patrick Arena while the church was being constructed.
	see Oak Bay Tabernacle
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hampshire Terrace see Street/Place Names section
	Handi-Spot Cleaners 2246 Oak Bay Avenue (1950–1954 phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Handy Fruit Store 2001 Oak Bay Avenue (1940 city directory)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Handy Shop 2271 Bowker Avenue (1942 city directory)
In 1943, Handy Shop relocated to 2201 Chambers in the city
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Handy Store 947 Monterey Avenue (1925 city directory)
Previous location of Mrs Annie Rippingale, confectioner Subsequent location of Monterey Store
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hansford's Grocery 947 Monterey Avenue (1948 phone book)
Previous location of Donehy's Grocery Subsequent location of Laing's Grocery
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Harley Taylor Television Specialist 2053 Cadboro Bay Road (1962... phone book) 2047 Oak Bay Avenue (...1964–1966 phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Harling Point see Street/Place Names section
	Harlow Drive see Street/Place Names section
	Harper Method Beauty Salon 2548 Windsor Road (1939–1942 city directories) 2541 Estevan Avenue (1956–1957... phone books) 2448 Dunlevy Street (1959 phone book) 2541 Estevan Avenue (1960–1970... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Harris Bicycle Store 2246 Oak Bay Avenue (1935 city directory)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Harris Island see Street/Place Names section
	Harrison Cash Grocery 2215 Oak Bay Avenue (...1917–1923 city directories)
Previous location of W A Hill, grocer Subsequent location of Chas Harrison, groceries and meats
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Harrison, Chas groceries and meats 2215 Oak Bay Avenue (1924–1930 city directories)
Previous location of Harrison Cash Grocery Subsequent location of Harrison Grocery
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Harrison Grocery 2215 Oak Bay Avenue (1931–1934 city directories / phone books) 2224 Oak Bay Avenue (1936–1946 city directories / phone books)
Previous location of Chas Harrison Subsequent location of Hampshire Meat Market
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Harry Edwards baker 2205 Oak Bay Avenue (1920 city directory)
Previous location of Ashton & Farrow, plumbers Subsequent location of Alfred White, confectioner
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hartness, D H
	fifth principal of Oak Bay High School (1932–1952)
	Biographical material welcomed
	see Oak Bay High School Principals
	Hart's Hardware
	2509 Estevan Avenue (1960–1961 phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hart's Hardware & Records 2530 Estevan Avenue (1957-1958 phone books) 2509 Estevan Avenue (1959 phone book)
	. . . Congratulations . . . to the students and parents of the class of '58 for a job well done — by everyone! . For all types of music, check HART'S FIRST . HART'S HARDWARE AND RECORDS 2530 Estevan Ave . . . . . . Phone 2-5491 .It's always the right time for music. — text from ad in 1958 OBHS The Oak Leaf yearbook Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hastings, Chas cleaning and pressing 1195 Newport Avenue (...1930–1934... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Haultain Street see Street/Place Names section
	"Haunted House" 2120 Penzance Road
	one of two houses in Oak Bay with a "reputation"
	"Haunted House"
	This derelict, unpainted old house once stood at the edge of the Chinese Cemetery at Harling Point and tested the "daring do" of many a young lad in the late 1950s.
	Click on MEMORABILIA to view or contribute recollections, photos and artifacts
	Haynes Park see Street/Place Names section
	Haynes Point see Street/Place Names section
	Hayward, E C
	reeve of Oak Bay (1928–1932)
	E C Hayward Biographical material welcomed
	Hazel Street see Street/Place Names section
	Henderson, William 1837–1931
	second reeve of Oak Bay (1909–1911) / Senior Architect with the Dominion Department of Public Works / Superintendent of Telegraphs for the province / signatory on 1906 petition to incorporate Oak Bay as a municipality
	W Henderson
	William Henderson was born in Scotland in 1837 and worked as a stone mason before turning his talents to architecture. He emigrated to Ottawa, Canada, in 1872 and found work with the Department of Public Works. He was subsequently transferred West to oversee national building projects.
	He arrived in Victoria in 1898 and lived atop Hampshire Hill while serving on the Oak Bay Councils of 1906 and 1907. In 1908 he began the first of three consecutive terms serving as reeve of Oak Bay. In 1910 he moved into Inverallochy, the home he built at 2150 Oak Bay Avenue.
	Henderson was deeply religious and greatly enriched the community with his charitable work. He was also very involved in Freemasonry, becoming a Grand Master for British Columbia. One biographer of Henderson wrote:
	He is highly respected and admired and his record in public life, as well as his efforts in behalf of all movements tending towards the moral uplift of the community, places him in the foremost rank of Victoria's estimable citizens.1
	William Henderson is remembered by Henderson Road, and Henderson Lodge, which meets in Henderson Hall, the former parish hall of St. Mary's Church.
1 British Columbia Biographical, Volume III, 1914, page 932
	Henderson Hall see William Henderson
	Henderson Road see William Henderson
	Henderson's Corner Store 2000 Oak Bay Avenue (1938–1945 city directories / phone books)
Previous location of Robins' Corner Shop Subsequent location of Frost's Corner Store
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Henderson's Oak Bay Food Centre 2253 Oak Bay Avenue (1962–1970... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Henderson's Oak Bay Grocery 2252 Oak Bay Avenue (1957... phone book)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
Previous location of McBratney's Fine Foods
	Henderson's Oak Bay Low Cost Grocery 2252 Oak Bay Avenue (...1959 phone book) 2253 Oak Bay Avenue (1960–1961 phone books)
	. . HENDERSON'S OAK BAY . . LOW COST GROCERY .2252 Oak Bay Avenue .Quality Food at. Reasonable Prices — text from ad in 1959 OBJHS OBEJAY yearbook. Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Henry Bros groceries & provisions 2003 Oak Bay Avenue (1914–1925 city directories) 2007 Oak Bay Avenue (1926–1930 city directories / phone books)
	see next listing
	Henry, S J groceries 2007 Oak Bay Avenue (1931–1940 city directories / phone books)
	see previous listing
	Henry Oliver women's clothing 2248 Oak Bay Avenue (1943–1948 city directories)
Previous location of Mabel Ellis, linens and novelties Subsequent location of Bryson Home Craft
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Henry Shoe Repair 2296 Cadboro Bay Road (1937... city directory)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Henry Usher confectioner 2205 Oak Bay Avenue (1923–1925 city directories)
Previous location of Alfred White, confectioner Subsequent location of Avenue Confectionery
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Henry's Grocery 2007 Oak Bay Avenue (1941–1961 phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Heron Street see Street/Place Names section
	Hewlett, H F
	reeve of Oak Bay (1923–1924)
	H F Hewlett Biographical material welcomed
	Hewlett Place see Street/Place Names section
	Highland Glen Bakery 1210 Newport Avenue (...1934 phone book)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hilda Beauty Shop / Hairdressing Salon 2548 Windsor Road (...1934–1938 city directories / phone books) 1165 Newport Avenue (1939–1955 city directories / phone books) 2548 Windsor Road (1956–1970... phone books)
	see following listing
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hilda Hairdressing Parlor 1189 Newport Avenue (1930–1932 city directories)
	see preceding listing
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hill, W A grocer 2215 Oak Bay Avenue (1914–1915... city directories)
	This was the first business at this address.
Subsequent location of Harrison Cash Grocery
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hill-Tout Studios 1650 Hampshire Road (1947 phone book) 2186 Oak Bay Avenue (1948 phone book)
	2186 Oak Bay Avenue was the home of several photography studios before its conversion to a night club — the Club Tango — in 1954.
	see Gibson Studios, Roye Photography
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hindson Upholstery & Draperies 2509 Estevan Avenue (...1956–1957... phone books) 2284 Cadboro Bay Road (...1959–1960 phone books)
	CUSTOM UPHOLSTERING SLIP COVERS & DRAPERIES "New Furniture Made to Order" RECOVERING & REPAIRING 2509 Estevan . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3798 — ad in 1957 phone book Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hodge's Grocery 2509 Estevan Avenue (1951–1953 phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hofflin, Dr C C veterinary surgeon 2004 Oak Bay Avenue (1944 phone book)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Holly Farm
	Holly Farm Click on image to view 1954 aerial photo
	For many years there was a holly farm in south Oak Bay bounded by McNeill Avenue, Falkland Road and Runnymede Place.
	"I think we had at least 10 forts in the farm and surrounding bush. Even a tree fort and 2 underground forts. I often think of the danger we put ourselves in from falling or caveins." — Ian Else, OBHS class of 1960
	* * *
	"I remember getting Christmas holly at the farm which was right behind my great uncle's property." — Richard Goodall, OBHS class of 1960
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hood Lane see Street/Place Names section
	Hope, H P
	first principal of Oak Bay High School (1915–1923)
	H P Hope Biographical material welcomed
	see Oak Bay High School Principals
	Hope-Jones, Mrs Cecil bookseller 1175 Newport Avenue (1921 city directory)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hope's Bakery 2030 Oak Bay Avenue (...1959–1966... phone books)
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Horse Show Pavilion
	fairgrounds building / city ice skating arena
	Royal BC Museum and Archives | I-00906 Horse Show Pavilion 1931-1944 Click on image to view enlargement
	The Horse Show Pavilion on the Willows Fairgrounds was built in the early 1930s after the racetrack was re-aligned to accommodate more exhibition buildings. From 1941 the Pavilion also served as Victoria's only ice arena until the building was destroyed by fire in 1944 — the same fire that also destroyed the Industrial Building.
	see Willows Arena, Willows Fair, Industrial Building
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	House of Television 2067 Cadboro Bay Road (1970... phone book)
Concurrent address of Taplin TV and Radio Service
	House of TV & Appliances 2002 Oak Bay Avenue (1955–1956 phone books)
	— ad in 1956 phone book Click on image to view enlargement
concurrent address of Economy Plan Appliances
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Housez Studios photography 1171 Newport Avenue (1959... phone book)
	CHILD SPECIALISTS 1171 Newport . . . . . . . . . . . EV 4-2512 — ad in 1959 phone book Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hudson, Chas druggist
	see Chas Hudson
	Hudson's Drug Store 2008 Oak Bay Avenue (1926 city directory) 2012 Oak Bay Avenue (1927 city directory)
	see Chas Hudson
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hudson's 2248 Oak Bay Avenue (1957... phone book)
Previous location of Hudson's Leathercraft Subsequent location of Jones TV
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Hudson's Leathercraft 2248 Oak Bay Avenue (1956 phone book)
Previous location of B C Craft House Subsequent location of Hudson's
	Photos, artifacts and recollections welcomed
	Humber Road see Street/Place Names section

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