Granville Street is often the focus of historic Vancouver photo features, with its neon lights on theatre row and ever-changing retail landscape. However, it’s just as fascinating to take a look back at some of downtown’s other key business districts, such as Robson Street.
For the popular social media “Throwback Thursday” theme today, the Robson Street Business Association posted a historical photo of their thoroughfare on Twitter. This has inspired me to feature good ol’ Robsonstrasse in today’s archive photo collection:
1893. 1000 block of Robson. Archives# SGN 1079.1.
1948: Howe and Robson, looking east. Archives# Str P258. Leonard Frank Photos.
1914 Courthouse on Robson at Hornby. Photographer: F.Gowan. Archives# Bu P347.2
1950s. Robson at Hornby. Archives# 2008-022.055.
1939: Robson at Cardero. VPL# 25033. Dominion Photo Co. & 1928: Burrard at Robson. VPL# 6587. Leonard Frank.
1941. Houses on Robson at Homer. Archives# Bu N518.
Robson Street was named after John Robson who was the Premier of BC from 1889-1892. It began its commercial history early on with retail shops and restaurants springing up in 1985. It also became known as Robsonstrasse which was “a reflection of the European shopkeepers who operated the many small delicatessens, patisseries, and chic boutiques that populated the street.” [Source: RobsonStreet]
1965. Robson and Hornby. Danceland & CKNW. Archives# CVA 447-351.
1968. Robson at Seymour. Archives# CVA 447-353.
1981. Robson and Burrard. Archives# CVA 779-W06.05.
1981. Robson and Thurlow. Archives# CVA 779-W09.36.
1969: Thurlow at Robson. Archives# CVA 780-402
& 1974: South side Robson at Thurlow. Archives# CVA 778-326.
1976: Thurlow at Robson. Archives# CVA 780-406.
1974. 1100 Block Robson, north side. Archives# CVA 778-341.
1974: South side of 1100 & 1200 block Robson. Archives# CVA 778-343 & CVA 778-354.
1974 Bus stop at Burrard & Robson. Archives# CVA 69-19.19.
For more historical photos, visit the Vancouver Public Library and City of Vancouver Archives.
The Harmony Arts Festival, presented by Odlum Brown Limited, will once again celebrate arts, culture, food, and music in West Vancouver this summer. Running from August 2nd until August 11th, 2013.
Families will love Artsy Kids Outdoor Studio, Spirit of the West and others will perform during the Sunset Concert Series, the Art Market will showcase local artists and designers on Argyle Avenue between 14th and 16th Street, and the Waterfront Lounge will be open daily at the foot of 15th Street for casual dining and entertainment from the Pacific Arbour Garden Stage. A full festival guide will be distributed in the North Shore News on Sunday, July 28th, 2013.
Other signature events include RARE, sponsored by Fresh St Market, which will take place on August 8th. This culinary evening is inspired by the West Vancouver Museum’s collection of notable Canadian artists including Emily Carr, Gordon Smith, Jack Shadbold and more. The beachfront at Lawson Creek Studio will transform into a contemporary casual dining lounge featuring Rodney’s Oyster House. The knowledgeable staff from house wine will be on site to serve the beverages.
Best of the West
The third annual Best of the West is another signature event, happening August 7th. Thirteen of the North Shore’s best restaurants will be paired with thirteen BC wineries and tasked with creating the perfect complementary dish. The evening’s guests will vote on their favourite, with the winning restaurant and winery team crowned BEST of the WEST for 2013.
Thanks to Harmony Arts, I have a pair of tickets to give away for Best of the West on August 7th. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment here naming a Harmony Arts event or artist (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow the Harmony Arts Festival on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about upcoming events and activities. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, August 1, 2013. Must be 19+ to win this contest and attend Best of the West. Please enjoy responsibly.
Update The winner is Tracy!
The Church at the Hollywood will host screenings of Back to the Future next month to help raise funds for the restoration of the 1930s-era movie house they currently occupy on West Broadway.
The Hollywood made Heritage Vancouver’s Top 10 List of Endangered Sites this year and it’s one of the last remaining movie houses in the city. After falling into disrepair and closing in 2011, two local churches took over the space in 2012 and have been slowly bringing the theatre back to its former glory.
“Not everybody agrees with having a church here, but the overall feeling is that everyone loves this building and recognizes the heritage of it,” said [Sarah] Kift. “We feel we are able to steward that, for at least as long as we can.” [Source: Metro News Vancouver]
Leading the charge to revitalize the theatre, the Church at the Hollywood is hoping to raise $20,000 so they can repaint the facade and repair the iconic neon “Hollywood” sign. This is all a part of their “Love the Hollywood” campaign.
Back to the Future in events will be held on Friday, August 2, 2013 and Saturday, August 3, 2013 and will feature a costume contest, live music, a real Delorean, and more. The film will be screened in 35mm format. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door for multiple screening times during those two days.
Hopefully by the time Back to the Future II‘s future date of October 21, 2015 rolls around, the Hollywood will be restored and revitalized thanks to these efforts.
Rolling green prairie, lightning bugs, the smell of sweet corn, the rumble of a farm vehicle going down main street. These are the sights and sounds of our summers in Iowa when we head back to John’s hometown and hang out with his family for a few weeks. While we usually get some work done — I work on my writing and John helps out at his parents’ business — we do set aside a day or two to explore the region. After a quick glance at Eastern Iowa on Google Maps I picked out Maquoketa Caves State Park, which John confirmed would be a great spot to explore one morning when the humidity dropped.
Reading reviews online, it seemed that Maquoketa Caves State Park is a very popular location with a fantastic rating when it comes to family recreation and adventure. I could tell from some of the comments that if we wanted to get pretty dirty (entering caves where crawling is the only way to get around) we’d have to pack headlamps, a change of clothes, and sturdy shoes. Lacking those essentials and equipped with iPhones and flip flops, we set out like city slickers after a hearty breakfast. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Craft fairs are events we usually associate with the winter time as summer gives way for fresh-picked produce at farmer’s markets. However, the Craft Council of British Columbia and Circle Craft Cooperative are bringing a summer craft market to downtown Vancouver this sunny season to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Dates
Thursday, July 25th to Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Where
Jack Poole Plaza (beside the Olympic Cauldron) in downtown Vancouver
Hours
Thursday from 12:00pm to 9:00pm; Friday from 9:00am to 9:00pm; Saturday from 9:00am to 9:00pm; Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Over 70 exhibitors will participate, offering up fine work in clay, glass, leather, metal, fibre, and wood, as well as clothing for children and adults, jewellery, fashion accessories, home décor items, and visual arts. A full list of exhibitors and artisans is available online. Admission is free.
Circle Craft Cooperative annually produces Western Canada’s largest artisan show, the well-known Circle Craft Christmas Market. Combined with the Craft Council of BC’s long list of talented artisans, this will be the best place in Vancouver to admire true craftsmanship, as well as meet the many talented artisans behind these beautiful crafts.
For more information about the Summer Market and other activities, follow Circle Craft on Twitter and Facebook.
