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Wallace Haywood

Wallace Haywood

Wallace Haywood built the original Hotel Empress, often referred to as the “Emp,” in 1908. Haywood  was also known as Sergeant Vicker Wallace Haywood, who was sworn in to the brand new Vancouver Police Force on July 22, 1886.

The Vancouver Police Connection to the Empress (“The Emp”)

The “Emp” isn’t just the SRO and bar behind 312 Main Street, there’s actually a closer connection between that establishment and the Vancouver Police, and it’s not what you may think.

The original Hotel Empress (237 E. Hastings) was built in 1908 by Wallace Haywood. Yes, that would be Sergeant Vicker Wallace Haywood, sworn in to the new Vancouver Police Force on July 22 1886, as part of the “second wave” of recruitment, after Chief Constable John Stewart had been hired.

After the 1886 fire: Cst Jackson T. Abray, Chief Stewart, Cst Wallace Haywood, Sgt John McLaren

Wallace was born 1864 in Prince Edward Island, one of 7 children. As a young man, he worked construction on the Canadian Pacific Railway (Sudbury, 1883 and Monte Creek, 1885) and the Esquimalt Dry Dock (Esquimalt, 1885). He arrived in Vancouver in the Fall 1885.

Wallace’s older brother William Donald would also join the Vancouver Police (March 1889), but by all accounts, did not stay long, instead venturing north to Klondike Gold, making a considerable fortune before returning to Vancouver. The brothers Haywood were to become some of Vancouver’s first real estate tycoons (watch this space for a future story on WD Haywood).

News article – September 23, 1897

 

A December 1889 newspaper reported that Haywood was to retire to take charge of the Cosmopolitan restaurant & hotel (at Cordova & Abbott), along with his new business partner, and fellow Constable, Jackson T. Abray. Later newspapers (July 1895) indicated that he (along with Chief Stewart) were recommended for dismissal from the Force due to pocketing prisoner sureties. Haywood later returned the fees but ultimately decided to resign and in 1897 headed north to join his brother in the Klondike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Province – Jan 18, 1899, page 7

 

Haywood was very successful in his strike of gold. With his new-found wealth, he jointly owned a steamship (along with Captain John Andrew (Jack) Cates, of Cates Park and Belcarra fame), and in 1900 purchased property on Bowen Island to build Hotel Monaco with picnic sites and campgrounds. Haywood sold these assets to his partner, and in 1901 returned to PEI to marry Miss Minnie Woodside. In 1907, Wallace and his brother William formed a real estate company in Vancouver.

 

Henderson’s City of Vancouver Directory, 1907, page 496

 

The Province – March 28, 1908, page 30

In 1908, Haywood developed the Hotel Empress (not to be confused with the Empress Hotel, Victoria), which opened in 1909. A year later, Haywood and another gentleman acquired the property next door, extending the size of the hotel. The new building cost $90,000 and was described as the world’s narrowest tallest hotel.

The Province, Apr 6, 1908, page 16

By 1918, Wallace Haywood is indicated as the sole proprietor, when repairs were completed.
In 1935, the two buildings operated as separate hotels: The New Empress Hotel (235 E. Hastings (60 rooms with private baths); and next door The Old Empress (237 E. Hastings).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s “New” Hotel Empress 235 E. Hastings; next door is the original location of the Hotel (237 E. Hastings).

 

The Haywood family remained in the Vancouver area, with a variety of interests including fox farming (with farms in Princeton and Surrey); Wallace and Minnie had two children: a son and daughter. Wallace died at Vancouver General Hospital in November 1950 at the age of 86, and was buried in the Burnaby Masonic Cemetery.

 

 

References:

Websites
Changing Vancouver
West End Vancouver

Newspapers
Vancouver Daily World; Dec 12, 1889, pg 4
The Province Newspaper; Jan 18, 1899, pg 7
The Province Newspaper; Mar 28, 1908, pg 30
The Province Newspaper; Apr 6, 1908, pg 16

Photos

  • Photo: After the Fire; Vancouver’s First Officers -numerous sources (Archives, Newspapers)
  • Photo: Vicker W. Haywood, 1920s, Vancouver City Archives, CVA 292-71; http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/mr-victor-w-haywood [indexed as Victor W. Haywood]
  • Photo: Vicker Wallace Haywood in front of a replica of city hall in a tent 1946 – Vancouver City Archives port P876
  • Photo: Google Maps, street view 235 & 237 E. Hastings

 

FindaGrave.com – Memorial ID #180150170; Burnaby Heritage Cemetery (aka Burnaby Masonic) Plot 005-01-C