Archive Photos of the Day: June in Vancouver

After hints of summer-like temperatures tease us in late May, the beginning of June is usually rather gloomy in Vancouver. The long weekend doesn’t come until the end of the month, the kids are still in school, and rain showers often put a damper barbecue and camping plans.

However, there’s always a lot happening around the city, from farmers markets to Father’s Day festivities, and everyone is in good spirits awaiting the glorious sun-soaked days that are ahead. I browsed the Vancouver Public Library and City of Vancouver archives today to see what was happening in Vancouver during the month of June over the years, here’s what I found:

1938

In mid-June, nine of the road-bed sections are in position between the towers of the new Lions Gate Bridge:

Archives item# CVA 265-66

1886

After the Great Fire on June 13th:

VPL# 9439 & 1094. Photographer H.T. Devine.

1909

June 4th, Australian & New Zealand Delegates Imperial Press Conference members in front of hollow tree in Stanley Park:

Archives item# CVA 1477-506

1926

Vancouver pioneers celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Great Fire in Stanley Park:

Archives item# St Pk P67

1938

June 19th came to be known as Bloody Sunday in Vancouver. “Vancouver police evicted unemployed men from the Post Office (now Sinclair Centre). The building had been occupied for six weeks by 700 unemployed workers, led by Steve Brodie, demanding federal relief. Rioting by more than 5,000 demonstrators caused considerable damage. Eventually, the invaders were ousted by police with clubs and tear gas; 39 people were injured and 22 arrested. Protesting B.C.’s decision to stop relief payments, groups of unemployed men also occupied the Art Gallery and Hotel Georgia.”:

VPL# 1313 & 1275. Photographer: Province Newspaper.

1946

Men (including Ken Taylor and Ted Taylor) paying their respects at the funeral of L.D. Taylor, Vancouver’s most-elected mayor:

Archives item# CVA 1477-971

1947

Vancouver Airport on a sunny June day. Note the rocket, it was the inspiration for the Centennial Rocket which is at the south end of the Cambie Bridge today:

Archives item# CVA 1376-360