Downtown DuncanCraig Street

This building at 211 Craig Street, at the corner of Craig Street and Kenneth Street in downtown Duncan, was built in 1926 by architect Douglas James for former Duncan Mayor James C. Wragg. It is currently occupied by Impeccable Jewellery at 211 Craig Street.

211 Craig Street. Built in 1929 by architect Douglas James for James C. Wragg
211 Craig Street. Built in 1926 by architect Douglas James for James C. Wragg

Here is a map showing the location of 211 Craig Street:

 

 

Additional Information on 211 Craig Street

  • Assessed Value (July 2016): $347,000; Land – $161,000, Buildings – $186,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $331,000; Land – $155,000, Buildings – $176,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): $331,000; Land – $155,000, Buildings – $176,000

A Brief History of 211 Craig Street

The building at 211 Craig Street (at Kenneth Street) in downtown Duncan, was built in 1926 by architect Douglas James for James C. Wragg, who used it as the business premises for his bakery. In 1929, Douglas James also designed the Wragg Building for James C. Wragg. In 1947, James C. Wragg was elected Mayor of Duncan and served as Mayor until 1955.

This building was designed in 1926 by architect Douglas James, who also designed several other buildings in downtown Duncan, including 45 Craig Street (built in 1922), 70 Government Street (built in 1922), 40 Ingram Street (built in 1923), 231 Government Street (built in 1929), 151-151 Craig Street (built in 1929) and the Wragg Building (built in 1929).

A 1926 story in the Cowichan Leader newspaper described Douglas James‘ plans for this building as:

“The building is to be thirty feet by fifty feet……The construction will be of frame and hollow tile, the latter being used to form fire walls on the sides which do not face either street. The structure will have an old-fashioned, half-timbered exterior, carried out in stucco and stained cedar. It will have a pitched roof covered in mottled tiles. The interior is to be plastered throughout. The ground floor will be of cement. Provision is made for two stores and an entrance leading to a well appointed flat upstairs. Mr. Douglas James, Duncan, is the architect.”

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