Arthur Davis House (1912)

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Builder H.F. Martin built this charming, early Craftsman-style bungalow for newlyweds Arthur and Lillan Davis.

Arthur and Lillian Davis married in 1912 and built their home the same year on a spacious double lot renowned for its splendid gardens.  

Arthur managed Cunningham Drugs at Sixth and Columbia Streets in downtown New Westminster. He later owned and operated the Davis Rexall Drugstore at Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue (currently the location of Waves Coffee House), just a short walk from home.   

After Arthur’s passing in 1957, Lillian continued to reside at 520 Fourth Street until the 1960s. At that time, the property underwent subdivision and sale. Subsequently, in 1973, a second house was constructed on the adjacent property. 

The Davis House boasts lofty 12-foot ceilings, offering an airy ambience to the home. Its cross-hall plan includes the formal rooms and the kitchen on the left and a study, bedroom and bath on the right. There has only been one major alteration to the house over the decades. In 1927, the full-width porch was partially enclosed to enlarge the parlour and built-in bookcases were added to either side of the  fireplace and two sets of  French pocket doors were installed. Presently, the parlour features William Morris “Chrysanthemum” wallpaper, a restored fireplace with a custom Art Nouveau tilework surround, a whimsical cherub chandelier and an elegant daybed. 

The well-proportioned dining room features original wood detail including plate rail, partial wainscotting, and a coffered ceiling. The kitchen was updated when the home reached its centennial and made its second showing on the 2009 Homes Tour. There are transom windows over the doorways of the bedrooms along the long hallway that stretches from the foyer to the rear porch to allow more daytime light into an otherwise dark hallway.

A staircase in the kitchen leads to the versatile living space in the attic, along with a cheeky bathroom featuring William Morris prints and a flamboyance of flamingos in the brilliantly iridescent pink wallpaper.

The current owner has curated an eclectic mix of old and new mouldings and period light fixtures, imbuing the home with a whimsical touch that preserves its heritage integrity while adding a lively sense of fun. Keep an eye out for mermaids!

The Arthur Davis House was showcased in a documentary by Deni Loubert, a video journalist and documentary filmmaker at New West Community TV. The documentary highlighted three homes from this year’s tour, including the Arthur Davis House. You can find this segment starting at 15:58 in the presentation.

Article by: Catherine Hutson

Presented by: Queen’s Park Residents Association