The building at 161 through 165 Station Street in downtown Duncan, B.C. dates from the early 20th century.

161-165 Station Street in downtown Duncan. The storefront at 165 Station Street (on the left of the photo) was occupied by Kyle's Taxi from the 1920s to the 1950s.
161-165 Station Street in downtown Duncan. The storefront at 165 Station Street (on the left of the photo) was occupied by Kyle’s Taxi from the 1920s to the 1950s.

About 1920, John Albert Kyle, a member of Temple Lodge, No.33, started Kyle’s Taxi, which operated from 165 Station Street from the 1920s until the early 1940s, at which time he appears to have moved the taxi business to his home at 971 Government Street. John Kyle retired in 1948 and turned the business over to his two sons, who turned it into Duncan Taxi, which is still in business today.

161-165 Station Street in downtown Duncan. The storefront at 165 Station Street (on the left of the photo) was occupied by Kyle's Taxi from the 1920s to the 1950s.
161-165 Station Street in downtown Duncan. The storefront at 165 Station Street (on the left of the photo) was occupied by Kyle’s Taxi from the 1920s to the 1940s.

The space at 165 Station Street once occupied by Kyle’s Taxi is currently occupied by the Global Initiative Free Trade Store (G.I.F.T.S.).

A historical marker placed on the building by the Cowichan Valley Museum reads, in part: “Like many buildings in {Duncan], this one, once the site of Kyle’s Taxi Company, has gone through many incarnations. It was also known to have been a house of ill repute. Renovation undertaken here in 1990s revealed specially constructed tiny cubicles designed for the prostitution trade…..”

Several small windows on the west side of the building illuminate the space formerly used by the “house of ill repute” in the upper level of 161-165 Station Street.

The space behind these windows on the west side of 161-165 Station Street was once occupied by a brothel.
The space behind these windows on the west side of 161-165 Station Street was once occupied by a brothel.

Bro. John Kyle was definitely not involved in any brothel operated in this building.

John Kyle died in 1951 and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Somenos. His former home is still standing at 971 Government Street.

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