At one time it was the largest pocket of Canadian Francophones west of Manitoba and today, Maillardville is historic cultural community in Coquitlam. Notre Dame de Lourdes, 830 Laval Square In 1891 the District of Coquitlam was incorporated and toward the end of the century, Frank Ross and James McLaren opened Fraser Mills, a $350,000 […]

Today’s collection of archives photos come from museums and archives around Metro Vancouver. One theme throughout the various communities in our region is that they have bridges; crossing the inlet or an arm of the Fraser. Date: 1904 Description: Opening day celebrations on the first Fraser River Bridge (now the Fraser Railway Bridge). New Westminster […]

Although the City of Surrey’s slogan is “The Future Lives Here” it’s also home to plenty of history. Incorporated seven years before Vancouver, and sitting at about three times the size in terms of area, there’s much that can be learned from looking at Whalley, Cloverdale, Guildford, Fleetwood, Newton and South Surrey. As such, the […]

John “Gassy Jack” Deighton had a saloon in New Westminster but it wasn’t until he headed around to the Burrard Inlet that he left an indelible mark on our city. In 1867 he told mill workers along the harbour that they could have all the whiskey they could drink if they helped him build a […]

Slated to re-open in November, the Waldorf Hotel in East Vancouver is currently undergoing major restorations and renovations. Located along a lonely stretch of East Hastings, this historic landmark is set to revitalize creative arts and nightlife in this area of town. Photo credit: kk+ on Flickr While it features a dining room, hotel, cafe, […]