The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is celebrating Vancouver’s 125th birthday by seeking public assistance in nominating ‘Places that Matter‘. 1937 – The new City Hall superimposed with the first City Council in front of a tent. Archives Item# City P39 Over the next few weeks, the public are asked to submit an address, photo, and description […]

I have been on a bit of a royal kick lately so I thought it would be fitting to profile photos of royal visits to Vancouver in this week’s roundup from the Vancouver Archives. Year: 1912 Subject: Duke of Connaught at the Hastings Park, decorates a boy scout for life saving Vancouver Archives Item#: Duke […]

Yesterday I came across a post on The Buzzer Blog (via Vancouver is Awesome) that featured photos of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s ride on the SkyTrain during Expo 86. It was December 11th, 1985 that SkyTrain took its first run through the tunnels at Waterfront Station and throughout 2011, Translink will be celebrating SkyTrain’s […]

This morning it was announced that the Rosewood Hotel Georgia will officially open its doors on Saturday May 7th 2011, exactly 84 years to the day that the hotel first opened its doors in 1927. While it has been under construction and major renovations for the last few years, it was still an icon during […]

It may just be my English blood, or the fact that I saw a great movie recently, but I have become increasingly interested in the visits of British royalty to Vancouver throughout the last century. May 1939 – King George VI & Queen Elizabeth greeted by Mayor & Mrs. Telford at the C.P.R. Station.Archives Item# […]

The anniversary celebrations and events for Vancouver’s 125th anniversary will launch tonight in partnership with the PuSh Festival. From now until the end of 2011, the City and various organizations will be hosting events, workshops, exhibits and more to showcase 125 years of Vancouver. My weekly history series will remain but have a “Vancouver 125” […]

Last summer Maxine’s Hideaway in the West End closed its doors to make room for a 21-storey apartment building that will be going in at Davie and Bidwell. While many recently knew it as a restaurant lounge (as Balthazar) or a cabaret, the small structure’s past has a big story to tell. Photo credit: Photocat62 […]

Vancouver will be celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and the City will be launching its celebration campaign for ‘Vancouver 125’ on Monday, January 17, 2011. This will encompasses the following Vision Statement: “Building on the momentum, energy and spirit generated during the Olympics, and through a growing awareness and understanding of our identities, first […]

Think you know Vancouver? Think Again! In honor of Vancouver’s 125th anniversary coming up this year, SFU’s Department of History is presenting a series of frank and informative lectures from January to October. 1936 lecture in Vancouver. Photographer: Stuart Thomson. Vancouver Archives Item# CVA 99-4908 The inaugural lecture takes place January 27th and will be […]

The first Granville Street Bridge opened on this day in 1889. Spanning False Creek, it was but a low-rising timber trestle designed mainly by the CPR. 1890 – View from 2nd Ave at Birch. Photographer: W Chapman. Vancouver Archives Item# Van Sc P58. In 1909 the Granville Bridge would be rebuilt in steel with a […]