I’m a big fan of Stanley Park — the park that hosts dozens of trails and pathways, not simply the paved and cemented Prospect Point lookout. As such, I’ve often wondered where the names for the trails originated. The other day I was poking around on the internet, as it is sometimes useful to do, and I came across a list of trails and their namesakes.
These are a few that we often walk along…
Merilees Trail namesake: Harold Merilees
Merilees was the General Manager of Tourism Vancouver in the 1960s (then called the Vancouver Tourist Association). He was known as “Vancouver’s first great ad man” and began the Spencer’s Department Store direct mail advertising department. He also worked for the B.C. Electric Railway Company, the National War Finance Committee to promote sales of Victory Bonds, and was President of the Advertising Association of the West. He also worked on several public projects such as Vancouver’s diamond jubilee celebrations in 1946, the British Empire Games in 1954 and the B.C. Centennial in 1958. [VancouverHistory]
Rawlings Trail namesake: W.S. Rawlings
This is the longest trail in the park so it’s only fitting that it’s named after the longest-serving Parks Superintendant. Rawlings was also credited with having the idea to build the Sea Wall around the park. “It is not difficult to imagine what the realization of such an undertaking would mean to the attractions of the park and personally I doubt if there exists anywhere on this continent such possibilities of a combined park and marine walk as we have in Stanley Park.” [wiki].
Tatlow Trail namesake: Robert Garnett Tatlow
Having moved to Vancouver from Ireland, Tatlow married into the Cambie family, and CPR wealth (as noted in this post). He then served as Park Commissioner from 1888 until 1905.
Thompson Trail namesake: Charlton William Thompson
Served as Fire Department Chief in 1929 following John Howe Carlisle who served for 42 years. Thompson was also Park Commissioner from 1937 to 1938 and again from 1940 until 1942.
Tisdall Trail namesake: Charles Tisdall
Vancouver Board of Trade member and Park Commissioner 1904 to 1909 and 1926 to 1934, Tisdall was also elected Mayor of Vancouver in 1922. In July of 1923 50,000 Vancouverites gathered in Stanley Park to hear U.S. President Warren Harding speak. “Premier John Oliver and Mayor Charles Tisdall hosted a lunch in his honor at the Hotel Vancouver.” [VancouverHistory]
You can read more local history tidbits in my series or feel free to suggest a local topic you’d like to know more about.
A little while ago Toyota Canada signed on to Twitter and began following me. I followed them back and sent them an update about how I like the Yaris (we had the chance to rent one last year, and drive one as a Zip Car). Within a few minutes I was communicating with Toyota about trying out their 2010 Camry Hybrid and we arranged something for Earth Day as well as my recent trip to Harrison.
Continuing my election coverage I have requested interviews with several of the candidates for Premier and they have all been gracious enough to supply answers to my questions (in email or video form). The following are the responses from Carole James of the BC NDP (some of the questions are similar to those I have asked other candidates as well).
Question from Miss604: The social media community in Vancouver organized “Mental Health Camp†this past weekend and with this in mind – on top of the pressing topic of homelessness, are there any plans to support the untreated living in the Downtown Eastside (and across the province)?
Video response from Carole James:
Question from Miss604: Although Vancouver is the hub of activity in B.C., what are your main concerns or areas of focus throughout the rest of B.C.?
Video response from Carole James:
Question from my Twitter contacts: What has the highest priority in your books, economy or environment?
Video response from Carole James:
Question from my Twitter contacts: What role should the provincial government have in developing affordable housing?
Video response from Carole James:
Question from Miss604: You’ve been using Twitter, Facebook etc. — How has social media affected your campaign so far and do you enjoy being part of the online community?
Advance polls are now open so please be sure to cast your vote for the individual and/or party you would like representing your riding in the legislature.
I was given the heads up about Violet Boutique a little while ago and having recently discovered the goddies that you can find at locally-owned dress shops I was eager to check it out just in case I get something for last night’s event.
Proprietor Genevieve Allen travels the world several times a year to gather up exclusive finds to bring back for to her shop, often collecting styles and luxury fashions that you won’t be able to find at any other boutique in town. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
When Google launched Cities in 3D I asked readers what their favourite buildings were in Vancouver. Answers included the Marine Building and the Dominion Building, and since that time I’ve wanted to do a roundup of these historical pieces of Vancouver’s past. As there are actually too many to list (unless you read about them all in this PDF) here are a few of my faves when it comes to houses… okay mansions.
Hycroft – 1489 McRae Avenue (in the Shaughnessy neighbourhood of Vancouver)
Built for General Alexander Duncan McRae in 1909 (completed in 1911), Hycroft was set on a high point to ensure a spectacular view of the north shore mountains and designed by Thomas Hooper. In 1942 it was sold by the McRaes to the federal government for $1. “Hycroft was put to immediate use to handle the overflow of patients from Shaughnessy Military Hospital… It would serve as an auxiliary to the hospital for 18 years… It would sit vacant for two years, until 1962 when the University Women’s Club would buy it. They have occupied it ever since.” [VancouverHistory.ca]. Hycroft is also usually a stop on the Haunted Vancouver trolley tours.
Glen Brae House – 1690 Matthews Street (now known as Canuck Place)
2009 is the 99th anniversary of Glen Brae House, a mansion that’s had quite the history here in Vancouver. According to VancouverHistory, the house, Built by William Lamont Tait, the house had a mixed reception from the get-go. “There are some who think it’s the ugliest house in Vancouver, some who think it’s beautiful”and some, like me, who simply stand looking at it, open-mouthed.”
The house featured wrought-iron fencing imported from Scotland, “Italian crystal doorknobs, brass chandeliers, baked and polished brick, a $16,000 embroidery of Victoria Falls” and one of British Columbia’s first elevators.” It wasn’t until after the Taits passed away that the house took on many forms… it was headquarters of the Vancouver Ku Klux Klan in 1925, then in 1929 it was a kindergarten. “Glen Brae next popped up in the news during the 1930s. In honor of a rising new star of the silver screen, people began to call it The Mae West House. You can guess why.” In 1980 it was Glen Brae Private Hospital, owned by Julian and Elisabeth Wlosinski who then willed the house to the City of Vancouver (you might also recognize it as “Grandma’s House” in the Adam Sandler film, Happy Gilmore). In 1991 it became the home of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
Some of my other favourite houses include the collection in the West End, from Gabriola to Roedde House. I hope to continue this theme as an ongoing series, featuring interesting places in each piece and am open to recommendations/suggestions for future posts.
