123 Streetname

Address: 3038 Albany Street
Built: 1913
1913 householder: Ernest W. Nordin, building contractor

This attractive, California Craftsman-style house has a half width verandah on the right side, with front facing steps. A box bay on the left front is covered by a pent roof. There is a long box bay on the left side of the house and a short box bay on the right side. It has gable dormers and a tripartite window in the front gable. Both the front gable and the verandah gable are covered by a trellis, while finials are attached to all of the gables.

This seven room dwelling was built in early 1913 at a cost of $3,000. Ernest W. Nordin, a building contractor, was the owner. But he did not live here for long. In 1916, this was the home of streetcar conductor Lewis Purdy. The well-paid conductors and motorneers (drivers) who worked for the B.C. Electric Railway comprised Victoria's labour aristocracy and many of them lived in fine homes in this part of the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood.

This house would be a worthy addition to the CIty of Victoria's Heritage Register.