It has been 84 years since Percy Williams of East Vancouver won two gold medals in track and field at the Amsterdam Olympics — a feat that has never been repeated by a Canadian. 1928 – Archives item# CVA 99-3631 & CVA 99-3638. Photographer: Stuart Thomson. As part of the King Edward High School track […]

On this day in 1888, the S.S. Beaver ran aground at Prospect Point in Stanley Park. The Beaver was the first steamship to operate in the Pacific Northwest and was the first steamship in the Eastern Pacific. 1888 – S.S. Beaver. Archives item#: Bo P354. The Beaver left England, where she was built at Blackwall, […]

Coming up with a theme for my weekly photo collection from the Vancouver Archives can be a challenge, especially when I realize that I’ve already published about 70 collections. I’ve featured old timey Beach Scenes, Picnics, Grouse Mountain, Bikes, Ice Cream, Summer Scenes, and Amusements. What left to represent summmer in Vancouver? With Pride Week […]

A few years ago I began a “Before and After” series where I would compare photos from the Vancouver Archives with Google Map locations today. It featured old buildings that were still standing, stores that used to be hotels in Vancouver’s formative years, and glass towers in the place of old theatres. Vancouver is a […]

On this day in 1959, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II herself presided over the grand opening ceremony for the Deas Island Tunnel, known today as the George Massey Tunnel. (Left) 1957 – Banner for the tunnel construction. VPL Accession Number: 41357.(Right) 1957 – Aerial view of construction. VPL Accession Number: 41355 The premier [W.A.C. Bennett] […]

It’s not everyday that an apartment building in Vancouver celebrates 100 years of life so the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association is making sure to mark the occasion of the Lee Building’s Centennial. On Sunday, July 15th, 2012 they’ll host an event at Heritage Hall on Main where past residents, merchants, and anyone who’s passed […]

Charlie’s Tree in Surrey, BC along Highway 1

Heritage Vancouver has recently released their list of summer walking tours with an impressive roster of guides to help you discover more about our city. 1959 – Granville Street. Archives item# CVA 672-1. BC Jennings Photographer. Date: Saturday, July 21, 2012 from 11:00am to 1:00pm Tour: Vancouver’s Granville Street: 1885-2012 Guide: Michael Gordon Where to […]

The Vancouver Heritage Foundation just launched a photo contest where you can submit your pictures of heritage buildings around the city for your chance to win a grand prize staycation at a bed & breakfast. Peppered throughout the city, between glass towers modern storefronts, you’ll find structures that have stood the test of time in […]

Richmond’s Sea Island is home to more than our award-winning airport, it also has a lone residential area. The quaint community of Burkeville that hugs Russ Baker Way and was established in 1943 as a part of the Dominion Government’s Wartime Housing Plan. The federal government established the neighborhood and built 328 cottages for employees […]