Onderdonk Residence at Yale
BCA Photograph No. 74917
BCA Call Number: I-30832
BCA Negative No. D-8574
Photo in Onderdonk Album, #4, p. 37. (BCA Accession No. 98401-6)

There are three similar photographs of the Onderdonk Residence in the Albums. A similar photo in Album #1 also shows the Onderdonk family. The figure on the roof of the verandah (one of Onderdonk's sons) is in two of the photos, suggesting that both were taken at about the same time, probably sometime in the summer of 1881. A third photograph in the albums identifies the little building on the right side of the house as "for Chinaman's quarters and servants." Captions often note that the house was built in 5 weeks. One caption adds that it was covered in vines in 2 years. There is also a stereoscopic view of the Onderdonk residence in the B.C. Archives collection. (F-07605).

The home was constructed during May and June of 1880, very soon after Andrew Onderdonk arrived in Yale. The location was to the south of Yale, on the road towards Emory. The Inland Sentinel noted (June 15, 1880) that "Mr. Onderdonk's building for a residence is 35 x 45, two stories high, with gable roof, allowing chambers, is nearly finished. The verandah is being placed, building painted, windows put in, etc.". Another comment from the same source (September 9, 1880) notes that the building and location were impressive: "Approaching the end of the town, the villa and surroundings of Mr. Onderdonk makes a favorable impression upon the passers by, and the last sight of travelers leaving Yale by boat must have a favorable effect."

Most of the dignitaries and government officials visiting Yale or the railroad for any reason would stay in the Onderdonk home. The Onderdonks loved to entertain, but Michael Hagan, the editor of The Inland Sentinel held a very dim view of such "wining and dining" since he believed that this prejudiced government officials in Onderdonk's favour, particularly when the officials were ostensibly in Yale to inspect the construction and to investigate various charges by sub-contractors who were not paid by Onderdonk & Co. Cornelius W. Van Horne was a guest at A.O.'s home in early August, 1884. In his later columns, Hagan often referred to the Onderdonk residence as "Hotel d'Onderdonk."