Introduction
The following story by Sharron Woloshyn was published in the 100 Mile Free Press on November 7, 2007 as part of their Rememberance Day supplement. It provides some interesting history on the construction of the early log homes built on Boultbee Road.
Taki an integral part of Lac des Roches landscape
Many resident in our area have heard of Taki. Short for Takamura, Taki worked on the original log homes and their grounds on the north shore of Lac des Roches, employed by “Mr. Boultbee”, purchaser of the pioneer McDonald Ranch. Taki came to the area during a dark time in our history. He was one of 22,000 Japanese-descent Canadians who where interned during the Second World War, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese and subsequent declaration of war against Japan. Most B.C. internees were sent to secured camps in the west Kootenay area, but some were sent to “relocation areas”, such as the one located at Lillooet. This may be where Taki became part of the work crew that Mr. Boultbee hired to work at the lake. After the war ended, and internees were given back their freedom to move around Canada once more, Taki decided to stay where he had established a job and friends. He maintained the homes and grounds here for most of his life. Taki's legacy includes the log structures he helped build, which have withstood more than 60 years of Cariboo storms and impressive rockery work that still line the driveways and sit in the yards of these homes.
Mary Ellen Patterson, who spent many summers at the lake and knew Taki, told me his story and provided a written account she prepared from memory 12 years ago. I have reprinted it here for your enjoyment. I particularly enjoyed her verbal account, that when her Dad bought the home, “Taki came with it”, to the delight of both her Dad and Taki.
History of Lake House
Built in early 1940's by Japanese who had evacuated out of the Lower Mainland after and during the war. Logs were cut and floated across the lake. These men built the Boultbee House for Gardner and Mabel (Larsen) Boultbee who planned to run a guest ranch. Instead they had five daughters and operated a cattle ranch. This house was built as a summer house for Mr. Boultbee's mother. The small log cabin by the lake was where the men lived while building the two houses. “Taki” stayed on and lived in the small quarters off the back porch, still known as “Takis'”. He continued to live here with my Mom and Dad until his health failed and he joined family in Vernon. This house was bought from Mr. Boultbee by G. Gamble in the early 50's.
Mary Ellen Patterson (Gamble) August 1995.