Researching History

Here are several variations on the origin of the name 'Ocean Park' which shows difficulty in determining the correct history and name spelling.
1. "In 1905 a former Methodist minister, W. Pascoe Goard, with grandiose ideas of land development, obtiined 136 acres which he divided into five-acre lots and sold to a number of men. The western portion of this block of land was designated as a park and was named 'Ocean Park'.
- from a pamPhlet entitled 'Camp Kwomais History... Trivia"
2. "About 1910, a Rev. W. P. Goad, variously described as a 'wealthy philanthropist' or 'a promoter' floated a stock company to purchase Ocean Park as "a site where (church) members, preachers and others could spend their vacations near the sea and amid the beauties of nature and enjoy a period of recreation undisturbed by outside cares. The name of the stock company was 'Ocean Park', from which the community gets its name."
- from a pamPhlet written by Carry Cooper c.1992
3. A letter written by H. T. Thrift stated: "In the year 1905-06 I purchased land on behalf of Mr. W. P. Goad, at that time of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The latter wished to subdivide it and wrote to me to furnish him with a rough sketch and suggestion of the proposed subdivision and also a suitable name. The sketch was furnished, also the name 'Ocean Park', which I thought was very appropriate for the object Mr. Goad had in view of the place on behalf of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a site where members, preachers and others could spend their vacations near the sea amid the beauties of nature and enjoy a period of recreation undisturbed by outside cares."
-letter from Mr. e.O. Jenks, v.P. per Mr. E. A. Dye, C.N. Rly.Co

4. "In 1905 a former Methodist minister but now a real estate promoter, W. Pascoe Goard, from Winnipeg, with grandiose ideas, obtained 136 acres bounded by the present 130th Street, 16th Avenue, and the waterfront. He divided his holdings into five-acre blocks which he sold for $1,250 each to a number of men who became known as the 'Syndicate' . . . It was Mrs. Goard who suggested the name 'Ocean Park' for this area. It applied originally only to the 'Syndicate' property."
- from 'The Ocean Park Story' by O. M. Sanford
- Research by Dave Henderson, Anne HelPs