Carr House Ownership Chronology

1863
Richard Carr purchases the original four acres. This parcel of land, known as Beckley Farm, Section 1, was conveyed by the Hudson's Bay Company to Colonel R.C. Moody in March 1863. It was from Col. Moody that Richard Carr bought the property on August 13, 1863. Carr took Moody to trial concerning the boundaries of the property, believing that he had been mislead by the Colonel; Carr thought that 37 feet at the front of the property had been omitted and therefore Colonel Moody owed him money. The jury in the original and subsequent re-trial found in the favour of Colonel Moody. By the end of the second trial, the Carrs had settled in their new house, designed by architect John Wright.

1864
The Carr family moves in April 1. The address becomes 44 Carr Street.
An entry from Richard Carr's diary:
"April 1, 1864. Moved into new house at James Bay - we have been waiting a long time for the plastering to dry - and think we can move in now with safety - the weather being somewhat dryer."
Between 1864 and 1884, Richard Carr sells one acre on the eastern boundary (Douglas Street).

1888
Richard Carr dies, leaving the house and property to his eldest daughter, Edith Carr.
Excerpt from Richard Carr's will:
"...I give and bequeath to my daughter Edith my said house...and the following described land namely, commencing on the corner of Carr and Simcoe Streets thence running North along Carr Street 175...feet, thence East 300 feet, thence South 175 feet, thence West along Simcoe Street 300 feet to the place of beginning, but upon this express condition, that my said daughter shall not sell or dispose of the said house and land during her lifetime but only by will or deed to take effect after her death."

1901
A subdivision plan was drawn for part of Section 1, Beckley Farm, which created 20 lots. Of these, Lots 13 to 20 and the property on which the Carr house stood, were part of Richard's original estate.

1908
Address changes to 207 Government Street.

1911
Lot 19 sold to James Townsley in February, for $2400.

1912
Lots that were subdivided in 1901, are registered in the names of the five surviving heirs.
Lot 13 received by Edith Carr; bequeathed to Elizabeth Carr in 1920.
Lot 14 received by Elizabeth Carr.
Lot 17 received by Emily Carr.
Lot 18 received by Clara Nicholles (nee Carr).
Lot 20 received by Alice Carr; the triangular shaped parts were received by Edith but conveyed to Alice in 1920.

1916
Lots 15 and 16 conveyed to Richard Jones--Collector of Inland Revenue in trust.

1919
Edith Carr dies on December 10th, age 63. She leaves the house to sisters Elizabeth and Alice. Elizabeth resides in the house and rents out rooms. The property is again divided, now into two lots; the property on which the house stood was then described: Lot 2 of Section one, Beckley Farm, Plan 2575. It is on this parcel of land that the house stands today.

1936
Elizabeth Carr dies. Alice and Emily are named the beneficiaries.

1937
Further subdivisions of the land. Legal description of the property is changed to Lot 1 Section 1, Beckley Farm, Victoria City, Composite Plan 4520.

1938
Emily and Alice sell the house to Lena Godfrey in February. Six months after purchase, a fire damages the back portion of the house--the affected outbuildings are removed. The house is rented as approximately 12 individual rooms.

1944
William and Sarah Atema purchase the property in June. The property remained in their names until April 1964.

1964
David Groos, M.P. purchases property in April.

1967
The legal description is altered, and the property is conveyed to the Emily Carr Foundation.

1972
The house serves as a children's art school and gallery--The Emily Carr Arts Centre--until 1979 when the Provincial Government undertakes restoration.

1976
The property is registered in the name of the Province of British Columbia, September 1.

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