Buildings Associated With Ashlar Lodge No. 3 Members
This house at 418 Kennedy Street, near Nanaimo’s Old Quarter Historic District, was once the family home of Joseph Miller Brown (1867-1944), who was Worshipful Master of Ashlar Lodge No. 3 in 1895. Joseph Miller Brown lived here until his death in 1944.
Real estate records indicate 418 Kennedy Street was built in 1910. We believe it was built for Joseph Miller Brown and his family but we cannot conclusively confirm that at this time. We will do more research and post what we find.
Joseph Miller Brown was the son of Nanaimo pioneer James Miller Brown (1830-1926), Worshipful Master of Ashlar Lodge No.3 in 1874 and 1875, and his first wife Leah (nee Westwood).
Joseph Miller Brown became a well known watchmaker. For many years he ran a watchmaker and watch repair shop at 315 Wesley Street, in what is now Nanaimo’s Old Quarter Historic District, a few blocks east of 418 Kennedy Street.
In 1942, the local newspaper ran a story saying Joseph Miller Brown‘s watch shop had the oldest continually issued City of Nanaimo business license of any business in Nanaimo.
One of Joseph Miller Brown‘s daughters, Audrey Alexandra Brown, became a noted poet and author. She would have spent her childhood in this house at 418 Kennedy Street.
Additional information about 418 Kennedy Street:
- Assessed Value (2016): $381,000; Land $198,000; Buildings $183,000
- Assessed Value (2015): $366,000; Land $190,000; Buildings $176,000
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