Vancouver History: November

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt Thursday, November 13th, 2014 — 2:45pm PST

17shares

Thanks to the City of Vancouver Archives and Chuck Davis’ History of Metropolitan Vancouver, here’s a glimpse at what happened in the month of November throughout Vancouver history:

November 3, 1862

Three fellows named Morton, Brighouse and Hailstone filed a claim today for the land that is now Vancouver’s West End. They paid more than $1 an acre, which led scoffers in New Westminster—who thought the land was of little value—to call them “The Three Greenhorns“.

November 8, 1927

A vaudeville performance today inaugurated a new theatre in Vancouver, The Orpheum.

1946: The Orpheum on Granville Street. Archives# CVA 1184-2290.

November 10, 1940

“Cap” Hobbis opened his first bicycle store in New Westminster.

November 12, 1938

The Lions Gate Bridge was opened to pedestrians today without ceremony. Vehicles could cross starting November 14th for a 25 cent toll. The official opening would happen May 26, 1939, presided over by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

1938: Plaque commemorating the completion of the Lions Gate Bridge. Archives# CVA 95-9.

November 14, 1982

The 255-tonne BC Place Stadium roof, which was replaced in 2011, was inflated for the first time.

November 15, 1937

Premier Thomas Dufferin Pattullo officially opened the Pattullo Bridge, calling it a “thing of beauty”.

1937: Archives# Br P29.

November 26, 1955

The first Grey Cup game ever played in Vancouver happened on this day between the Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Eskimos.

November 29, 1926

Baseball’s Babe Ruth hammed it up on stage in Vancouver during a personal appearance tour of North America. He posed as if at bat for a photo and crouching behind him as catcher Mayor Louis D. Taylor.