This is now the fourth week of my Vancouver then and now photo series thanks to the resources available at the City of Vancouver Archives. To celebrate what’s left of summer in the city alongside the launch of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, the theme this week is beaches. English Bay 1912-1925 Photo credit: Private […]

Since the first two installments of my Vancouver History: Before and After Photos have been a big hit (1, 2) it has become a weekly feature. This week is a bit of a hodge podge, featuring landmarks and views. Carnegie Library, Main & Hastings 190? Photographer: Trueman, Richard H. – see also, construction of the […]

A young Keira in her Cowichan sweater The last time I was in the Cowichan Bay area, I was playing high school rugby. Since I’m spending so much time here this week I thought it would be neat to share some of the history of this area. The Cowichan Valley is between Victoria and Nanaimo […]

Last week my Vancouver History: Before and After Photos received such a great response that I’m making this a weekly feature. I started thinking of themes so this week’s series will feature bridges. As with last week, the original images are available through the City of Vancouver Archives. Burrard Bridge 1932 Major Matthews collection 2007 […]

During my visit to the City of Vancouver Archives I was captivated by their collection of photographs. Tens of thousands of images depict daily life and the making of our City into what we see today. In over 100 years Vancouver has changed dramatically in some areas, and has barely aged in others. This is […]

We had what many called snowmageddon this winter and now we’re busting the thermostats with record heatwave temperatures across the Province. All this wonderful sunshine might be getting too hot and uncomfortable for most to bear as we hear grumbled complaints about the weather around town. The following history tidbits serve to remind us of […]

After walking around Central Park this morning, I started thinking about Stanley Park back home and that it would be a great time to rustle up a quick history tidbits post. At 1,000 acres Stanley Park is just slightly bigger than New York’s Central Park (843 acres) July 27, 1911: The Province reported that one […]

Yesterday I had the chance to check out what happens behind the scenes at the City of Vancouver Archives. Located in Kitsilano (between the Planetarium and the current Bard on the Beach tents) the Archives are pretty well hidden in their green-roofed building (aka the bunker). However, they have an accessible public research area filled […]

I was browsing my favourite Vancouver History site the other day and came across a mention that Robert Burnaby has more landmarks named after him than any other BC pioneer. With so many streets, parks, and monuments dedicated to those who helped shape our region I decided to look a bit further into Burnaby’s past […]

I first discovered we had the Vancouver Police Museum last spring during the Amazing Hunt as they had a clue box parked outside. It’s taken me over a year to finally get in there and thanks to a chat I had a few months ago with Executive Director Chris Mathieson, I was able to rally […]