Lloyd-Jones’ heritage home
Well-kept heritage buildings not only preserve a neighbourhood’s history and culture but also increase their value. They become focal points in the community and they can develop a sense of pride and good feelings among its residents. Heritage buildings maintain and tell the story of the people in our community. Some heritage buildings are used as principal residences, while others are used for commercial purposes. Commercial uses include stores, coffee shops, restaurants, offices and bed and breakfasts.
One such building is the William Lloyd-Jones house on Ethel Street in Kelowna. The house and the property serve as a residence and is also used as a wedding and special events venue. This 4,000 square foot home was rehabilitated in 2010 to include a banquet room with a new carriage house built at the back of the property. It also has a sprawling garden, which makes it perfect for outdoor events.
This Edwardian-era house was built in 1905, at a time when Kelowna was experiencing a great boom. The surrounding area was being transformed from a cattle raising and grain-growing area into a fruit growing mecca.
This house tells the story of its original owner, William Henry “Billy” Lloyd-Jones (1878-1956), a prominent and active member of the community and city alderman.
Lloyd-Jones moved to Kelowna in 1900, where he managed the original Lequime Store and Post Office on Benvoulin Road. Later he became the manager of the Lequime Sawmill and the Lloyd-Jones Sawmill, owned by his brother David Alan LloydJones. Billy Lloyd-Jones remained as secretary treasurer of the sawmill (which was bought out by S. M. Simpson in 1942) until his death in 1956.
Heritage buildings often find themselves at the centre of some interesting events. The Billy Lloyd-Jones house, (called Lindon House, after owners Linda and Don) is no exception. On one fine spring morning in 2020, I was walking up Ethel Street and was awe struck by a snow laden and well decorated heritage Christmas house.
Real One Entertainment was shooting the film, “Falling For Christmas,” both inside and outside the house. In order for the house to look like a winter wonderland, snow had been trucked in from Big White Ski Mountain.
I hear that another movie is being shot here this summer.
Kelowna has more than 200 properties listed in the Kelowna Heritage Register. For each listed building, a statement of significance has been written, indicating why the building merits inclusion. The statement of significance provides a description of, and identifies, the heritage value and character-defining elements of the historic place.
Heritage buildings’ foundations, roofs, sidings and windows, exterior claddings, and trims must be well maintained in order to protect their heritage value. The conservation and maintenance of such buildings, using heritage appropriate techniques and materials, is often more costly. To offset some of these expenses and to offer an incentive for heritage building owners to maintain their heritage houses, the City of Kelowna Heritage Grants Program was established to provide financial support to buildings on the Kelowna Heritage Register. These grants assist with a portion of the costs in maintaining and conserving the building’s exterior, including foundations.
This year the Heritage Grants program has moved to an online platform on the City of Kelowna’s website. More information on the program, and how to apply can be found on the Central Okanagan Heritage Society’s web site: okheritagesociety.com/heritage-grants or by emailing the program’s manager/administrator: ldauncey.cohs @telus.net. Applications submitted online for the next input session are due Sept. 8, 2022.
This article is part of a series, submitted by the Kelowna Branch, Okanagan Historical Society. Additional information would be welcome at P.O. Box 22105, Capri P.O., Kelowna, B.C., V1Y 9N9.