The Past

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 ~ ~ Albert MacPhereson
 ~ ~ B and E Building
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On the corner of Cliff and George Streets, directly across from City Hall, was a structure built by Blanchard and English in 1905. They used it as a furniture store with an undertaking parlour in the rear.

In 1912 they sold to Mr. MacPherson, who continued the undertaking business. Mr. MacPherson's son, John, farmed in the Hullcar area, and delivered milk for over thirty years. For many years his wife delivered the mail every Tuesday and Thursday on the rural route through Deep Creek. After he sold the building to Sammy Polson, Mr. MacPherson moved his undertaking business to a location on the west side of Belvedere Street.

Mr. Polson came to Enderby from Vernon where, before the First World War, he had extensive real estate holdings. He'd made his money in real estate and thoroughbred race horses in Winnipeg. While in Winnipeg he became a Presbyterian minister and helped build a church there. He sold everything and moved to Vernon where he purchased much of the Mission Hill area from Price Ellison. He donated the present park and hospital property to the city. The house that later became the Vernon Lodge was constructed as a residence for him.

After the First World War, the real estate market collapsed in Vernon, and he lost most of his assets. At that time his wife and daughter left him. He moved to Enderby, and purchased the Blanchard and English building from Mr. MacPherson. He rented out various parts of the building as a boarding house.

He was known especially for his personal peculiarities. It was not uncommon for him to hang his undergarments from his windows to dry after washing. Daily he would take his chamber pot out and sit it on a fence post. Annually, he would purchase a new sheepskin cover for his girl's bicycle seat. He often took his bike and umbrella and travelled to Vernon on the CPR track. He even had dietary peculiarities, e.g. for several years he would only eat dates. He often wrote poetry.

Frequently, he would conduct Sunday services in the out lying areas, including Grandview Bench and North Enderby. He was remembered as a generous, good-hearted man.

In 1945, Alvin Woods came back from the war and was employed at the Vernon Army Camp as a supervisor of maintenance. He purchased the Blanchard and English building, and using the machinery from the Vernon Army Camp tore down the building. Using much of the same equipment he built the Enderby Motor Inn in that location.

Natalie Affolter, Charlene Gray, Hideki Kawanami
ALF School 1989