Kincaid House

The heritage value of the Kincaid Residence arises from its association with a series of occupants who were prominent in civic and commercial affairs in the community, including the Kincaid and Millie families. It also has value for its unique Dutch Colonial Revival style and use of early Kelowna brick on its front facade.

James Kincaid came to Kelowna with his wife Jane “Jean” in 1905. James was a carpenter by trade and may have built the house at 924 Laurier Avenue for the Millie family. Henry Herbert Millie was an electrical engineer by trade, started a watch makers business and a telephone system (Kelowna Telephone Exchange- which was sold to Okanagan Telephone Company about 1912, which later became part of BC Tel and then Telus) and was a city councillor for a number of years. Subsequent owners were Josiah Adam Shier and his wife Matilda Kirk who came to Kelowna in 1920 and purchased the property. Josiah Shier became a member of Kelowna City Council in 1926 and worked for the Irrigation District. For many years the family ran the home as a boarding house, which was typical of many of the large Kelowna houses at this time. For many years since the conversion, under varying ownership, the house has been as a boarding house and other rental purposes.

The house is also valued as one of the only local examples of the Dutch Colonial Revival style. This house’s unique style features a gambrel (barn) roof, brick front facade and wood lap siding, with a bay window and front covered porch.