GRAHAM, Thomas William (1833-1899) of New Westminster, B.C. was recorded both as an architect and building contractor in the Lower Mainland area from 1860 until 1881. His works included commercial, industrial and residential commissions, and he appears to have prepared plans for buildings over a sustained period of twenty years, and in many cases he contracted to build these works based his own designs. His most substantial residential design was an elaborate and expensive dwelling for Myers Oppenheimer and erected at Yale, B.C. in 1865-66. Designed “...in the Grecian style”, this twelve room residence cost $8,000 in 1865, making it one of the largest private houses in the B.C. Interior at that time.
Graham was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co. in England on 4 August 1833 and likely trained in the building trades before emigrating to Canada. He was recorded variously as “carpenter” and “architect” in local newspapers and census records, and he remained active in New Westminster until April 1881 when it was announced that he was leaving for Southern California (Mainland Guardian [New Westminster], 13 April 1881, 3), and he took up residence in San Diego, but no information has been found on his architectural activity there. He later died in that city on 25 February 1899 (State of California, Register of Deaths for San Diego County, entry for Thomas W. Graham, “architect and contractor”; biog. in D. Luxton, Building The West: The Early Architects of British Columbia, 2003, 54, 465-66, 469, 502).
(works in New Westminster unless noted)
HICK BLOCK, Columbia Street, for Philip Hick, a four storey commercial block with Public Hall, 1861; demol. (British Columbian [New Westminster], 13 Feb. 1861, 2, descrip.)
SMEATON BLOCK, Columbia Street, a commercial block for Mr. Smeaton. 1861; demol. (British Columbian [New Westminster], 13 Feb. 1861, 2, descrip.)
unnamed street, residence for the Attorney General, 1861 (British Columbian [New Westminster], 27 June 1861, 4)
(with James Syme) ROYAL AVENUE, residence for Capt. William Irving, 1865 (British Columbian [New Westminster], 23 April 1865, 3, extensive descrip.)
YALE, B.C.., large residence for Myers Oppenheimer, Douglas Street, 1865-66 (British Columbian [New Westminster], 7 April 1866, 2, descrip.)
unnamed street, residence for Henry Hoy, 1878; demol. (D. Luxton, 2003, 466, 469, list of works)
HOLBROOK ARMS HOTEL, for Mr. Hennessy, 1878; demol. (Mainland Guardian [New Westminster], 26 Oct. 1878, 3)
CHILLIWACK, B.C., store and warehouse for Capt. John Irving, 1880 (Mainland Guardian [New Westminster], 22 Dec. 1880, 3)
PIONEER SHIPPING LINE, Front Street, a three storey warehouse, located “at the head of the landing”, with offices, baggage rooms, and forwarding room, 1881 (Mainland Guardian [New Westminster], 13 April 1881, 3)