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 […]

June 13th has traditionally been called “Vancouver Day” as a number of significant city events happened on this day in history. Here are a few items of note thanks to Chuck Davis’ Vancouver History: June 13, 1792: Captain George Vancouver explored Burrard Inlet June 13, 1859: A seam of coal was discovered at Coal Harbour […]

1927 – Leonard Frank Photos. Archives item# CVA 1477-51 66 years ago yesterday Vancouver’s most-elected Mayor, Louis Denison (“L.D.”) Taylor, passed away. Between 1910 and 1934, Taylor served as Mayor eight times, spending 11 years in the city’s top office. Taylor was born in Michigan and lived in Chicago before coming to Vancouver in 1896 […]