Roddie House

Roddie House is a single storey wood frame house located on the west side of North Fraser Drive in West Quesnel, BC. The historic place includes the building and the parcel of land it occupies.

Roddie House is valued for its historic association with the people who shaped the development of Quesnel. The house was built in the 1930s and is located in West Quesnel which developed as a rural community with small houses and family farms.

The house is named for Frank Roddie Jr. There were two Frank Roddies in Quesnel. This Frank Roddie who lived in this house was known as 'Junior'. He was the nephew of the other Frank Roddie. Frank Jr. was orphaned at the age of 17 and went to live with his Uncle Tom Roddie. When Frank Jr. heard about opportunities in the Cariboo from his uncle Frank, he travelled from Europe to Quesnel by boat, train and automobile. Frank Jr. worked on his Uncle Frank's farm and then took up mining in Wingdam, Alaska, Yukon, Trail, and Vancouver Island. He became the trouble shooter for Cominco Mines and travelled to their mines to fix production problems. Frank Jr. married Ida who had three children from her first marriage. In WWII, Frank Jr. enlisted in the infantry and served overseas. The Roddie family is recognized for their contribution to the development of the community with a street named in their honour.

The character-defining elements of Roddie House include its:

- example of the small utilitarian style houses built in West Quesnel in the 1930s;

- single storey wood frame construction building;

- original rectangular form is still evident today even though renovations occurred in the 1950s;

- off-centre roof peak in relation to its facade creating a visually intriguing appearance;

- unique contribution to the streetscape;

- covered front porch;

- picture windows on facade.