I read an old headline last week that on May 27th 1902, Vancouver’s baseball team defeated the University of California on the Powell Street Grounds (now, Oppenheimer Park). Seeing this tidbit on the Vancouver History website made me realize that I have never actually talked about Vancouver’s Japantown before and the significance of the Powell Street neighbourhood.
1906. Vancouver Japanese Language School. VPL Accession Number: 85994
The history
In the early 1900s Powell street (300-400 blocks) and parts of Alexander were Vancouver’s Japantown. Immigrants setup shops, markets, and their homes in this community that was a part of a very young Vancouver at the time. The Vancouver Japanese Language School, the Vancouver Buddhist Church, and Japanese Hall were established in the thriving neighbourhood.
1929. Vancouver Asahi Baseball Team. VPL Accession Number: 11750. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
The Asahi
“The Asahi Baseball team competed against other groups in their community and eventually expanded to take on external teams. To make up for their smaller size, the players developed a new brand of game that used speed and intelligence. This led to five-straight Pacific Northwest Baseball Championship wins leading up to War World II. The accomplishments of the team have been recognized with introduction into both the BC and Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.” [source]
The Riots
In 1907 the “Asiatic Exclusion League” marched on Chinatown, then Japantown, smashing windows and attacking residents – considerable damage was done to the community. In 2007 a “Riot Walk” through Chinatown and former Japantown was staged to remember this violent act of racism.
1915. Japanese Canadian Soldiers Serving in WWI. VPL Accession Number: 86045A
The Perseverance
“Despite this setback, the community had extended well beyond the original Powell Street corridor to encompass a much larger area, extending into Strathcona and — by the 1930s — beyond into many other neighbourhoods in the city. The community was forced to become more self-sufficient, and Powell Street became the economic, social and cultural focus of Japanese-Canadians, not only those in Vancouver, but for those across the province.” [source] The Powell Street community had expanded and began to prosper, with a strong commercial core including the Maikawa Department Store at 328 Powell.
1942. Japanese Canadian Relocation Notice. VPL Accession Number: 12851
The Shame
More injustices occurred during the second World War, when those of Japanese decent were shipped off to internment camps around BC.
“On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and Hong Kong. Twelve weeks later the Canadian federal government used the War Measures Act to order the removal of all Japanese Canadians residing within 100 miles of the Pacific coast. They had been prompted to do so by B.C. politicians who had long been looking for an excuse to rid the province and Canada of the Japanese minority.” [source]
They lost their homes, their businesses, their possessions, cars, boats, and families were torn apart. Not many could return to Japantown as the government limited their post-war freedom.
In 1945 they were told they could stay in Canada if they moved East of the Rockies, settled in Ontario, Quebec, or the Prairies. A few returned to the Powell Street community in 1949, when they were permitted to do so, however the neighbourhood was never the same, and it lost its distinction.
1942. Men’s Temporary Dormitory at the PNE Forum. VPL Accession Number: 14918. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
“The only piece of property ever returned to the community was the Vancouver Japanese Language School.” [source]
1942. Japanese Canadian Relocation, Seized Fishing Boats. VPL Accession Number: 3191A
The Legacy
While Japantown no longer distinctly exists, as Chinatown does, Canadian Japanese heritage is strong, proud, and has pushed through to continue to be an integral part of our society and our city. The Powell Street Festival Society started up in 1977 to celebrate Japanese Canadian culture in the heart of where all began. This year’s Powell Street Festival will take place July 30th and 31st but the society presents performances and special events throughout the year.
During the summer months you can go on a Japantown walking tour, departing from the Vancouver Buddhist Temple at 220 Jackson.
This morning I had the opportunity to chat with Jon Mikl Thor, a hockey historian and archivist who sold the rights to the Vancouver Millionaires to the Vancouver Canucks back in October. Aside from knowing all there is to know about hockey history on the West Coast (and owning the Millionaires brand since 1977), Jon has also written and performs a rock opera with which he’s going out on tour in a few days.
Photo credit: Barb Coates, Coast Communications
Although he’ll be in Europe, he’ll still be checking in on the Canucks from afar. You can listen to our conversation, where we talk about when Vancouver won the Stanley Cup in the clip below:
The background music clips on the call are from How The West Was One by Kyprios. It’s available for $0.99 on iTunes and it’s become an anthem for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Vancouver. You can follow Kyprios on Twitter, and Facebook.
The BC Bike Race July 2nd – July 9th is a 7-day cycling adventure that will take riders from the North Shore, to Vancouver Island, down the Sunshine Coast and up to Whistler. From ferry crossings to mountain passes, cyclists will go through places like Nanaimo, Cumberland, Powell River, and Squamish on their daily rides.
As a gold sponsor of the event, the seven35 development in North Vancouver by Adera has offered up a prize pack for one of my readers. seven35 is the first multi-family LEED for Homes platinum development in Canada and was certified BuiltGreen Gold. This green building and double-certified sustainability “first” in Canada.
Aside from being built green, the homes feature everything from a bicycle washing station, motion-sensor light switches and water-efficient irrigation. Featuring native plant species and numerous water features, they’re also located along the entrance to the Trans Canada Trail, and nearby Mosquito Creek.
The seven35 presentation centre is located at 735-15th Street West, North Vancouver. You can find out more about Adera’s developments by following them on Facebook on Twitter.
The prize pack offered up by seven35 includes a gift card for The District (value $100) in Lonsdale and a Helly Hansen rain jacket from the BC Bike Race (value $120).
To enter to win the gift card and the jacket I’d like to know what you love about the North Shore. From Grouse Mountain’s views to gelato at the Quay, events like the BC Bike Race, or kayaking in Deep Cove. You can also enter to win by posting the following on Twitter:
I entered to win a BC Bike Race prize pack from @AderaHome & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/54L2l
I will draw a winner at random from all valid comment entries on June 1st at 12:00pm.
Back in January big box retailer Target bought out Zellers stores in Canada for $1.8 billion. Formerly a Hudson’s Bay Company property, select Zellers stores across the country will begin a changeover to become Target stores by 2013.
Announced yesterday, Zellers locations making the switch to Target in BC are:
Abbotsford Power Centre, Abbotsford
Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby
Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre, Campbell River
Cottonwood Mall, Chilliwack
Coquitlam Centre, Coquitlam
Driftwood Mall, Courtenay
Tamarack Mall, Cranbrook
Scottsdale Mall, Delta
Willowbrook Shopping Centre, Langley
Haney Place Mall, Maple Ridge
Nanaimo North Town Centre, Nanaimo
Pine Centre, Prince George
Oakridge Shopping Centre, Vancouver
Village Green Mall, Vernon
Tillicum Mall, Victoria
To many, Target has a better image than other big box or discount stores. It has been a destination for well-priced clothing, swimwear, toys, grocery items, and more for years. Even when I moved to Boston in 2002 I took full advantage of their particle-board bedroom sets and ‘bed in a bag’ bargains to furnish my room. They have brand-name items but, as you may usually find across the border, at better price points than you can find in Canada (even with a poor exchange rate at times). Zellers on the other hand, has also always been a Canadian staple. Gardening supplies, toys, shampoo, stuff for the kids, and everything in between that you could stuff into a shopping cart.
Some of the Target brands that you can pick up in Bellis Fair may not be available in Canada though, due to different suppliers and regulations. I know that Keira won’t be able to pick up her Jif peanut butter and I won’t be able to get Dunkin Donuts coffee beans for my mom. You also won’t see boxes of wine in the grocery aisle. With all of this, are Canadians going to miss Zellers? After all, it has been American-owned since 2008.
[poll id=”63″]
Update May 25, 2012 The official list of BC stores has been confirmed:
Abbotsford – Abbotsford Power Centre
Burnaby – Metropolis at Metrotown
Campbell River – Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre
Chilliwack – Cottonwood Mall
Coquitlam – Coquitlam Centre
Courtenay –Driftwood Mall
Cranbrook – Tamarack Mall
Delta – Scottsdale Mall
Kamloops – Sahili Centre Mall
Kelowna – Orchard Park Plaza
Langley – Willowbrook Shopping Centre
Maple Ridge – Haney Place Mall
Nanaimo – Nanaimo North Town Centre
Prince George – Pine Centre
Surrey – Surrey Place/Central City
Vernon – Village Green Mall
Victoria – Hillside Shopping Centre
Victoria – Tillicum Centre
The tour book (which also serves as your ticket) features a map and photos of nine participating heritage houses around Vancouver that will open their doors for the day June 5th. Essays and write-ups in the book have been provided by the likes of James Johnstone, Michael Kluckner, and Bruce Macdonald.
On the tour you can find out what has been done to in terms of restoration and preservation, and learn about their place in local history.
Doors will be open from 10:00am until 5:00pm so you can set your own pace and create your own route. Tickets are available online for $40 and support the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, a registered charity dedicated to supporting the conservation of the city’s heritage buildings through education, public awareness and granting activities.
