When David Wilson moved into his house at the edge of Sunset in 1982, he had no idea who lived there before.
A neighbour who had been in the area since 1948 asked about Wilson’s political affiliation. He asked why, and the neighbour revealed the house had been built by a key figure in Canadian labour history: former Communist party organizer Arthur “Slim” Evans.
“I was horrified,” said Wilson. “Communist party?”
But as Wilson dug more into Evans’ history, his dismay turned to fascination.
Born in Toronto in 1890, Evans was a union organizer responsible for much of the activism during the Great Depression including the 1932 coal miner strike in Princeton and the On to Ottawa Trek that culminated with the Regina Riot on July 1, 1935.
Wilson, who describes his own past political leanings as “right wing,” particularly appreciated Evans work to help feed the unemployed during the Depression.
“I know that [my] grandma would take leftovers and hand them out,” said Wilson. “Working for Safeway I understand that. People need groceries.”
The house was built by Evans before the Depression with fine cabinetry and baths. It has been remodelled many times over the years, stumping realtors who find trouble describing it. Wilson points out rippling windowpanes and cedar shake siding that were likely there since the home’s construction.
Wilson does not intend to replace the windows. “A lot of eyes have looked through those ripples.”
Wilson only remembers one instance of media interest in the house. CBC filmed the outside of his home for a segment in 1995 on the On to Ottawa Trek. Watching the segment on television, he recognized a photograph that featured his front lawn with a policeman on horseback.
The image was taken April 24, 1934. Authorities took advantage of Evans’ jail time following the Princeton strike to evict his wife and daughter.
Union members formed a picket in the neighbourhood that lasted a month but police who watched the residence struck at noon when picketers were gathering relief downtown. One hundred and fifty police officers participated, including eight on horseback, six on motorcycles and the chief of police.
An elderly neighbour told Wilson that he played with Evans’ daughter before the eviction. The neighbour also mentioned that an apple tree on the property was much smaller back then.
Wilson had to take the tree down recently when it split in half. He consulted an arborist before accepting the loss, but remained in good humour.
“I’ve got enough of Slim Evans’ apple tree to last me a couple winters.”
Underneath the tree, Wilson discovered blue medicine vials and containers of Pond’s Cold Cream. In the past, he’s uncovered a tin, spokeless tricycle from his yard. Whether these artifacts have any connection to the Evans family is unknown, but Wilson appreciates his house as a link to Vancouver’s past.
“I’m comfortable with it,” he said.
“In fact, I’m actually quite proud of it.”
He recalled a favourite quote: “You don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.”
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