HISTORY OF BC Ron Hyde
Major James Skitt Matthews: The Man Who Saved Vancouver’s History
J
ames Skitt Matthews (mother’s maiden name was Skitt) was born in Wales on September 7, 1878, and moved with his family at an early age to Auckland, New Zealand. After graduating from grammar school, he worked as a timber clerk.
One day the Hastings Sawmill called to enquire if the station had gasoline that could be used in automobiles. The office boy replied they had three kinds of gasoline: Baume for cleaning ladies’ gloves; deodorized stove gasoline used in plumber’s firepots for heating soldering irons, and Benzine used in salmon canneries for dissolving lacquer and to prevent the cans from rusting.
At age 20, he sailed to North America, arriving in San Francisco. Moving north along the west coast, he stayed briefly in Tacoma, Seattle, and Victoria where he met his future wife Valentia Maud Bascawen. After their marriage, they moved to Vancouver and fell in love with the city. In 1899 Matthews began his 20-year career with Imperial Oil, working as a clerk, travelling salesman, and manager of various aspects of their provincial operation.
A 4-gallon can of Baume gasoline was sent to John Hendry, manager of the mill, the first gasoline ever sold in British Columbia for motor car use.
After their marriage, they moved to Vancouver and fell in love with the city.
In 1900 the Matthews family doubled with the arrival of twin boys James and Herbert and a year later, their third son Hugh was born. Matthews fell ill with typhoid fever in 1902 and spent 3 months in Vancouver General Hospital.
Imperial Oil, British Columbia’s first oil company, opened Canada’s first gasoline station in Vancouver in 1907.
During his stay, he met the woman who would later become his second wife. In 1911 he built his family home at 1343 Maple Street, just north of Cornwall Street.
CVA 389-217
A strange-looking vehicle called an automobile had arrived in Vancouver.
Young James Matthews, circa 1888
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Canada's first service station 234 Smythe Street at Cambie, Vancouver
BC Notaries Association
Major Matthews’ home 1343 Maple Street, Vancouver
Volume 28 Number 3 Fall 2019
