Comments on: The Hunting Lodge on Somerset Street in North Vancouver

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 23:47:55 +0000

In reply to John Beck. Would one of the "Alls" of your family include Kristine All, the lawyer?

By: John Beck

John Beck — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 18:47:03 +0000

I am the great grandson of Carl Von Alvensleben. I can’t remember his relationship with Alvo, whether he was a nephew, cousin or brother, but there has always been a lot of intrigue about Alvo. After WW1 when all our property was seized, it was a bit of a riches to rags story and a few of the Von Alvenslebens had changed their last name to simply “All” (including my grandmother). My grandmother had shown me a hilarious photo once of Carl and Alvo posing with flight hats on, in front of an old bi-plane crashed into the roof of a barn.

By: Linda Wills

Linda Wills — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 19:50:18 +0000

Our family lived across the street from 437 Somerset at 440 Somerset from 1969-1974. I helped Mrs. Gundry in her garden as it was being taken over with weeds. She gave me a tour of the house, but refused to let me see the kitchen. I remember the huge lobby with the pewter dishes displayed on the fireplace mantel, the telephone booth near the stairs and the separate toilet enclosure upstairs. When you lifted the toilet seat, written underneath were the words “Thank God Father’s home!” I loved the house and our family still treasures two wicker chairs, castoffs from the house porch.

By: Jared

Jared — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 23:05:19 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. Hi Eve - I'm the new owner of the house, and I would love to get more information about the history of the property. If you have anything else, or can put me in touch with Barbara I would be so grateful.

By: Michelle Fuchs

Michelle Fuchs — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 00:29:16 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. So interesting to read about Mrs. Perrault's experiences in the house with the ghostly presence! I never knew about that. Eve, are you able to put me in touch with Mrs. Perrault pls? (I am her old across-the-street neighbour, who grew up with her kids and would water her deck plants when they were on holidays!)

By: Noah

Noah — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 04:34:41 +0000

In reply to Lindsay.

Hi Lindsay, my email is noahcjames@gmail.com.

all the best,

Noah

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 21:02:50 +0000

In reply to Noah. HI Noah, Dave's niece here. Can you send us your contact info.

By: Noah

Noah — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 21:10:51 +0000

In reply to dave clarke.

Hello Dave,

I’ve been researching Alvo von Alvensleben and German intrigue in Vancouver during WWI for a project. Captain Cyril Tweedale’s manuscript that you mention sounds very interesting. Would you mind sharing it? Let me know.

all the best,

Noah

By: Barbara Perrault

Barbara Perrault — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 22:31:37 +0000

We lived in 437 from 1974 until 1995…the previous owner, Mrs. Gundry claimed there was a ghostly presence in the house. Each evening around 7 o’clock the temperature would dip. My youngest child claims he saw a apparition once, a tall man wearing knee high leather boots. Often heard murmuring noises in the middle of the night. As Mrs. Gundry said, it was a gentle quiet presence. Several years after we had moved on, it came up for sale, we loved it so much we nearly bought it back!

By: dave clarke

dave clarke — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 22:14:26 +0000

hi
I lived on Brand street and was I the house when Senator Ray Perrault owned in the 70’s
The Germans had 3 homes 2 on Brand one at 370 ? still standing and one across the street( all connected ? by phone )
When the empty lot was being cleared in front of 372 Brand street ( My house ) the Builder ( Hank/Henry Janzen ) found al lot of old concrete footings etc
The archives say the plot was discovered and stopped
The plan was to set up a Cannon and sink ships in the first narrows
My Grandfather
Captain Cryril Tweedale was one of 80 ,members of the Core of the Guides the Canadian Secret service.
He arrested 2 Germam spies in Vancouver -The Van Ng case
They were planning on bombing the train tunnels in the Fraser Canyon.He followed them to the usa.They were arrested in Vancouver
I have his manuscript on the case that was never published.If you have any interest in the case let me know
cheer
dave

By: Mike M

Mike M — Mon, 14 May 2018 00:18:54 +0000

My family lived at 401 Somerset from 1966 until 1986, and I remember hearing something about the history of the Perrault house (as we knew it) being a hunting lodge. So great to read your article.

By: Hilary Maguire

Hilary Maguire — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:31:27 +0000

Very interesting read! The Pitt Meadows house photo caught my eye as I have always loved the look of that place. Lately it has gotten a bit of a facelift and paint job. Had no idea there was a connection between that house and Wigwam Inn!

By: Dee Butler

Dee Butler — Sat, 21 May 2016 20:29:10 +0000

Does this house have anything to do with the late Col. Victor Spencer? The Spencer’s had a famous hunting lodge does anyone have any info on this or photos.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 04:02:25 +0000

I lived across the street at 444 from 1959 thru 1963. I remember the house as always mysterious. There was very little activity and the house always seemed dark. I remember the house being enclosed by tall trees. It took a lot of nerve to knock on the door come Halloween .

By: Michelle F

Michelle F — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:43:36 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus.

Afraid not, we were in 456, built in 1959. I wish I knew something about 440, beautiful house, as well as 430 (? – the one at the top of Maitland). Ty Walker is right about the Devente house (404), it apparently has quite a history (according to a real estate agent I heard talk about 35 years ago) but I don’t know anything about it…

By: Michelle F

Michelle F — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:13:56 +0000

Thanks for this info, lived across the street and down a couple doors for years – played with the Perrault kids growing up (even had ideas of fixing Ty Walker up with my older sister!) Now my family has left the street I’m glad to gather as much info about the neighbourhood as possible. Thanks again!

By: Tyrone Walker

Tyrone Walker — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:05:39 +0000

Hi.When i look at the harris road address i see the very similar lines that the 437 somerset address has in relation to the harris road address.I wonder if both addresses were built by the same contractor.My guess is the divanti residence on Somerset could be the oldest house on 29th hill.The wigwam inn also has the same roof lines as 437 somerset.The deck is very similar as well.

By: Helen Babalos

Helen Babalos — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:21:19 +0000

Hi Eve; Love this! I owned the house from 1995 to 2000 and was responsible for moving it slightly over to facilitate selling the lot next to it. The house originally sat on 2 1/2 lots and was expensive to purchase. I loved the house and feared that a developer would purchase it as a tear down and build two houses. The house was not considered heritage. By moving the house and selling the lot I was able to place it on a new foundation, and do some renovations. When the house was originally built there was no foundation and a dirt cellar. My family and I loved the house but ended leaving after 5 years with it only partially renovated. I moved onto another renovation project involving the house I grew up in in West Vancouver.

By: Tyrone Walker

Tyrone Walker — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 21:37:26 +0000

Hi,yes i know this address very well…The 437 Somerset address that is.My bro inlaw Senator Ray Perrault used to own it.When the gundries owned 437 they found a secret roon in the house with a light still burning.Alvensleben,s father was the german ambassador to russia prior to 1914.He was nearly successful in getting the czar and his family out of russia before they were assassinated. This could have changed the history of russia as we know it today…