Vintage Photos of Robson Street

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt Thursday, July 25th, 2013 — 11:21am PDT

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Granville Street is often the focus of historic Vancouver photo features, with its neon lights on theatre row and ever-changing retail landscape. However, it’s just as fascinating to take a look back at some of downtown’s other key business districts, such as Robson Street.

For the popular social media “Throwback Thursday” theme today, the Robson Street Business Association posted a historical photo of their thoroughfare on Twitter. This has inspired me to feature good ol’ Robsonstrasse in today’s archive photo collection:

1893. 1000 block of Robson. Archives# SGN 1079.1.

1948: Howe and Robson, looking east. Archives# Str P258. Leonard Frank Photos.

1914 Courthouse on Robson at Hornby. Photographer: F.Gowan. Archives# Bu P347.2

1950s. Robson at Hornby. Archives# 2008-022.055.

1939: Robson at Cardero. VPL# 25033. Dominion Photo Co. & 1928: Burrard at Robson. VPL# 6587. Leonard Frank.

1941. Houses on Robson at Homer. Archives# Bu N518.

Robson Street was named after John Robson who was the Premier of BC from 1889-1892. It began its commercial history early on with retail shops and restaurants springing up in 1985. It also became known as Robsonstrasse which was “a reflection of the European shopkeepers who operated the many small delicatessens, patisseries, and chic boutiques that populated the street.” [Source: RobsonStreet]