I was struggling to find inspiration this morning although I knew I wanted to publish a history post this week. I put the call out on Twitter and received several inquiries about Vancouver history landmarks and tidbits. Since the response was so great, this will be a new series of user-generated responses to local history questions.

@Jemmen – Asked about West End history and Robson Street.

I haven’t gone too in-depth about the history of Robson but I do have a post about all the important Robsons in Vancouver’s history.

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.” [from Robson, More Than a Street]

As for the West End, I also have some articles about various landmarks in the area formerly known as the boggy, soggy, West End Forest. [The Three Greenhorns] [Lord Roberts School] [Roedde House] [Joe Fortes]

@duanestorey – Wondered about the steam tunnels at UBC

Listed as one of the “90 things to do before you graduate” there are rumoured to be half a dozen entry points to these hot and hazardous passageways under the campus of UBC, including unlocked manhole covers and freight elevators that lead to subbasements. I found a personal account over on this site.

Photo credit: © All Rights Reserved
brandonjamesadams on Flickr

I’ve been in the steam tunnels, which are all locked up now, and in the vortex. The steam tunnels are utility passages where the steam is transferred from building to building. The vortex is the storm sewer system, or flood water actually, not sewage. I remember one of my most memorable nights buildering was spent in the storm system.

Kai and I were looking for the entrance to these steam tunnels, so we were checking all the manhole covers on campus. There was one manhole behind the biology building, actually about 50m from your Oceanography dyno problem. Anyways, we lifted the cover and it was the entrance to a huge underground water tank. A storm runoff type of thing, I think they pump it out when it gets to a certain level. So we looked around and found a refrigerated big suitcase type thing, and a bunch of rope, and lowered it down into the tank. Now we had a boat. So we went boating inside these underground caverns, in this gross water. In our box, our insulated box used for tools or something.

@fuzzydave – Didn’t live in Vancouver at the time of the “Fast Ferry” scandal and wanted to know the story there.

In the 1990s the NDP government, headed by Premier Glen Clark, commissioned the building of a fleet of several super ferries and Fast Cat catamarans. The reason was to help alleviate traffic concerns for those living around the terminals and get passengers and vehicles to and from the Island in a more efficient manner. The ships built were smaller (with room for fewer vehicles) but the cruise time was supposed to be cut by at least 30 minutes, meaning more sailings to cover the crowds. Unfortunately the cost of the initiative ballooned to almost $460 million (at our expense) and was years behind schedule. More problems included hazardous wakes causes by the vessels, high fuel consumption, the passenger deck was smaller and they actually ended up taking longer to cross the Straight.

@tawcan – Wanted to know a bit more about the Massey Tunnel

I’ll answer this one with help from VancouverHistory.ca. The Deas Island Tunnel opened July 15, 1959 (connecting Richmond and North Delta/Ladner) although it had been open to (tolled) traffic since April 1958, and the Queen of England herself was on hand for the ceremony. In fact on the same trip, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre was named in her honor. In 1964 the tunnel was renamed the George Massey Tunnel, for the minister of highways, and tolls were removed. It’s actually the lowest point of any road in Canada, dropping beneath the Fraser River to 20 meters below sea level.

I’ll continue the series later this week where I will answer the following questions from my contacts on Twitter.

@kdmurray – Some Burrard Inlet History
@CynnamonS – The industrial past of Granville Island
@jbuffoonery – Vancouver’s Neon History
@6oz – The Guinness Family’s Influence
@TylerIngram – History of the McBarge
@davidshore – Why the CPR landed in Vancouver (as opposed to Port Moody etc.)

I’ve covered dozens of events from film festivals, to tech conferences, interviews with artists, and concerts and each experience is always unique. However, I must say that when working with the City of Surrey, John and I both agree, it’s an absolute pleasure. They’re organized, the staff is accessible, and getting full media access including the photo pit — and being able to go backstage to sip some Wally’s Wheat Ale when it’s over — is just tops.

My first official blogging assignment for the City was last winter for their inaugural Winterfest at Central City. Since Surrey was named a Canadian Cultural Capital city in 2008 they started up Winterfest along with the Fusion Festival in the summer. Each festival had fun for the family, activities, crafts, and concerts — all with free admission and evening fireworks as well.

Surrey is also home to the largest Canada Day celebration in Western Canada, which I also covered while enjoying sunshine, lemonade, and the sweet sweet sounds of Wil, Rymes with Orange, the Payola$ and Loverboy.

Living in a city that is being taken over by Olympic planning and construction, while also losing major free events for the entire family, it’s nice to see other cities engaging their neighbours and celebrating all of their communities together.

Also for all those who complain about suburbanites coming into downtown and causing a raucous during our festivals and fireworks — please by all means — feel free to bundle up the kiddies in the stroller, take the SkyTrain out to Surrey for Canada Day or the Fusion Festival (or even the Farmers Market, the Clova Jam or the Surrey Childrens’ Festival) and experience all they have to offer — there’s plenty of room for all.

After a brief presentation about Surrey’s involvement in the 2010 games (including being a stop on the torch’s journey) the evening festivities began here at Winterfest.

A funky marching band from Oregon, March Forth, played a quick set that involved dozens of instruments and a fireworks display that had glittery spark cascade down over the crowd with the majestic Central City building in the background. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Stepping of the platform at Surrey Central SkyTrain station you could already feel the bass from the main stage and smell the sweet sugary goodness of mini donuts. Today is Winterfest in Surrey and I’m pleased to be their official blogger — covering events, sharing photos, and inviting everyone to come down to this free event. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

This evening I was able to sit in on the ‘win your way in’ CFOX Uninvited Guest performance with Thornley at the Roxy due to my involvement with tomorrow’s Winterfest in Surrey. Thornley (Ian Thornley, previously of Big Wreck, and his band) will be headlining the concert stage at Winterfest which is entirely free for all.

I’m really liking what I’ve heard so far from the new album, Tiny Pictures. It’s a mix of Ian’s strong vocals and guitar skills along with some pop tracks such as Make Believe, which was co-written by Dave Genn (54-40, Matthew Good Band) and was produced by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback (but I won’t hold that against them). The entire album was recorded at Alex Lifeson’s (Rush) studio in Toronto. You can listen to the entire performance from today on 99.3 the Fox at 8:00pm tonight.

I’m very pleased to partner again with Winterfest in Surrey this year (and it looks like they’re excited to have me there as well). Come on out to Surrey tomorrow (take the SkyTrain right to Central City) from 12:00pm until 10:00pm for a full day of entertainment and activities for the entire family.

I will be posting photos and blogging throughout the day so you can check out all the action right here starting if you’re unable to make it down (although you should really try because it’ll be a blast).