The Brickworks Manager’s House
Built around 1906, this is one of the earliest houses of the village and Clayburn Company owner, Charles Maclure, lived here until 1909. Like a number of the other houses, this was designed by Charles’ brother, the well-known architect Samuel Maclure. It was a bed and breakfast when I took this photo. Now the owners operate the First Light Social Club, a day care program for people living with mild to moderate dementia. In their spare time they work on permaculture projects in their large side yard. – edited 2023
The Accountant’s House
This lovely house was designed by Samuel Maclure and is the second largest in the village, reflecting the important position the accountant held in the Clayburn Company. Samuel Maclure is known for his Tudor Revival house designs. He was influenced by the Arts and Crafts style of architecture. He completed over 450 commissions in his career and designed many beautiful and important buildings in British Columbia, possibly the most impressive being Hatley Castle in Victoria.
The Foremen’s Cottages
Five foremen’s cottages were built directly across the road from the brickworks in 1906 to 1908. They seem very small compared to today’s houses. At the height of production, the brickworks employed up to 180 men and had become the largest producer of bricks in the province of British Columbia. Clayburn bricks were shipped to such distant locations as Hawaii and Mexico.
Clinker Brick Cottages
I was fascinated by these cottages of strange, lumpy and mishapen bricks. It turns out that there are two houses in Clayburn Village made from these clinker bricks. The odd shapes were caused by overheating in the factory kilns, Although the clinker bricks were rejected by the Clayburn Company factory, they actually became popular in other parts of the world during the first decade of the 1900’s and were used for architectural detailing.
The Green House
Six of these lovely Victorian houses were built in Clayburn Village. They were made of wood on a brick foundation and painted pale green, which is how they became known as the green houses. This was the last one built, completed in 1911. It is situated directly behind the general store.
Clayburn School
Clayburn School was built in 1907 as a one-room schoolhouse, but in 1925 a basement was added to double the classroom space. It operated as a public school until 1983. As well, it was an important gathering place where the villagers could attend concerts, plays, Saturday night dances and other social events. The Clayburn Village Community Society purchased the schoolhouse in 1991 and started restoration work on it in 2000. A museum in the basement is open on Saturday afternoons in the summer by donation.
Clayburn Church
The village church was built in 1912 from bricks donated by the Clayburn Company, and was home to a Presbyterian congregation until 1958. It was an important part of the life of the village and is still a sought-after location for weddings. The cornerstone brick was laid by Margaret Cooper, the first bride to walk down the aisle. The Clayburn Village Community Society bought it in 1969 and it was restored in 1978.
Clayburn Village General Store
You have never seen so many kinds of penny candy – jars and jars, including some you’ve only read about in books. You can browse the specialty foods or have a light meal at one of the tables by the pot-bellied stove. If the weather is pleasant, you could sit outside in the trellis garden and enjoy tea and scones. The store was built in 1912 and belonged to the original owners until 1972. Recently it has been restored and serves as a wonderful reminder of life one hundred years ago.
