Billy Lloyd-Jones House

The William Lloyd-Jones House is valuable as an icon of the early developmental period of Kelowna. At the time of its incorporated in 1905, Kelowna was experiencing a great boom, with the transition of thousands of acres of cattle and grain fields into an irrigated fruit orchard oasis. New settlers, particularly European immigrants, were drawn in droves to the area with the promise of bountiful fruit crops and mild winters, that easily trumped the hardships of homesteading in the harsh climate of the Prairies. Kelowna was well-connected to transportation networks, with a rail spur line at Vernon, and CPR sternwheelers that made regular stops in Kelowna beginning in 1892. This grand Edwardian era house is representative of the emerging middle class in Kelowna as well as the adoption of what was, at the time, a more modern architecture which was transitioning from earlier Victorian / Queen Anne designs. The Edwardian-era design is reflected in the generally symmetrical Foursquare floor plan, the generally full width verandah and robust detailing.

Additionally, the William Lloyd-Jones House is valued for its connection to original owner and long-time resident, William ‘Billy’ Henry Lloyd-Jones (1878-1956), a prominent and active community member and alderman. Born in 1878 in Burford, Ontario, Lloyd-Jones moved to Kelowna in 1900 where he managed Bernard Lequime’s post office and store on Benvoulin Road. He became the manager of Lequime’s Sawmill, later the Lequime & Lloyd-Jones Sawmill, owned by his cousin, pioneer settler, David Alan Lloyd-Jones (1862-1944), where he stayed until the end of his career. Lloyd-Jones was an active member of the community who was involved in City Council, Rotary, the United Church and numerous lodges. He was married to Naomi Jane (née Brisbin, 1888-1967), and remained as Secretary-Treasurer of the Sawmill, which was bought out by S.M. Simpson Ltd. in 1942, until his death in 1956.