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Nelson home recognized for heritage value

Father and three brothers were renowned carpenters in Summerland
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PHOTO SUBMITTED HERITAGE HOUSE The Robert and Malinda Nelson family home, at 8208 Giant’s Head Rd., is Summerland’s heritage house for 2018. Construction of the house began in 1906.

This year’s heritage home is the Nelson home, 8208 Giant’s Head Rd.

The Robert and Malinda Nelson family acquired the property from Charles J. Thomson in 1906 along with 14.3 acres of orchard land.

Construction of the home began that same year.

Prominently located at the south-east side of Giant’s Head Mountain, the home has a steep pitched roof and half-timber tudor elements on its exterior.

The home has a large wooden veranda. The interior of the home again has half-timber elements, with a pronounced staircase.

The Nelson brothers, Bill, Bert and Tom and their father Robert were Summerland’s renowned carpenters.

Originally from Lambeth, London England, the family arrived in Canada in 1903.

After one year in Regina Saskatchewan, the family moved to Victoria. Robert Nelson assisted architect Francis Rattenbury with the Empress Hotel.

They then moved to Summerland, at the end of December 1904 to assist in the interior woodwork of Balcomo Lodge in Prairie Valley (the R.H. Agur residence.)

Robert Nelson and his sons built the Nelson home in 1906. They did carpentry work for many of Summerland’s heritage buildings, including the St. Stephen’s Anglican Church and the Muir Steuart home on Quinpool Avenue.

From 1914 to 1942, Bill and Tom Nelson were responsible for most of the buildings at the Summerland Research Station including the superintendent’s house.

Before retirement, the last building Bill Nelson worked on was the Summerland Fish Hatchery in Lowertown.

Other owners of the home have included son Bill Nelson and upon his death in 1951, younger brother Thomas Nelson.

Dr. and Mrs. V..J. Guttormsson then acquired the property in 1963 and the present owner is Dirty Laundry Vineyard, Summerland Hills Vineyard and Estate Winery.

In the future, this company may construct a winery complex attached to the Nelson home. And the home, once renovated, may serve and be showcased as the wine tasting area.

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Malinda Nelson
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Robert Nelson