CSI eVan (Chris.Small Investigates): My Eastern Eden — walk about thru my eVan neighbourhood of Grandview-Woodlands ... (WARNING: video may cause relaxation #zenlikehell || Walk with me to uncover some interesting historical tidbits among the lush greenery & flora of summertimes gardens. Featuring: WILGA (1908-9) — classic Belle Epoch Queen-Anne mansion, now part of St. Francis of Assisi Church & Parish. Built for Australian immigrant William Miller, w/brother, John J. Miller, arrived from drought ridden New South Wales to British Columbia 🇨🇦, 1903 w/family to rebuild lost fortunes. As Real Estate Speculators & Auctioneers in frontier boomtown economy up in BC's Interior & North, a fortune was made |**See earlier IG post on "KURRAJONG" || Both homes named after native Australian bushes. The Aussies architectural legacy beautifully manifested; their devotion to Canada w/many civic events started; incl. Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) WILGA sits nr Grandview Hill's peak; 3rd Flr offer unobstructed views to City, harbour & mountains. Unfortunately their quick rise lead to quick demise; 1913's preWWI Depression, the Millers hung on as long as possible but slowly relinquished ownership. By early 1920s, Franciscan monks took over WILGA - for awhile a monastery (up to 16 Friars lived here). By 1939, the Catholic Diocese decided to relocate to Broadway & Victoria; so this Romanesque Revival Church built. WILGA’S resident monks vacated, 1990 & it became The Rectory for The Parish Priest of St. Francis. • Exterior: classic proportions, symmetry, scale & grandeur handled w/restraint & minimal remodels, grounds & gardens extend btwn Napier & Parker Sts. • Interior: original woodwork remains (except upstairs, retrofit for 16 monks) Now, Fr. Eugenio’s home, Wilga's lovingly maintained (on min.budget). * “The world that created these places no longer exists,” ~ Michael Kluckner, Historian/Writer/Artist, (Vanishing Vancouver), “... maybe it does, [only] people with that kind of wherewithal want new houses.” * Advocate Rezoning Adaptive Reuse of Heritage properties incl. business (office/restaurant), institutions, public venues. #eastvancouver (at St. Francis of Assisi Neighbour)