In 1910 it was the tallest commercial building in the British Empire as well as Vancouver’s first skyscraper. The distinct Dominion Building still commands attention today, standing above Victory Square at Hastings and Cambie. (Left) 1908 Construction. VPL Accession Number: 6884. Photographer: Philip Timms (Right) 1912 VPL Accession Number: 13678. Photographer: R. Broadbridge. The nearby […]

As much as I love the diversity of neighbourhoods in Vancouver, from the quiet oak-lined streets of the West Side to the community parks of Strathcona and the sloped views of Sunset, the West End downtown has been my home for nearly seven years now. I love that I can walk in a block or […]

Yesterday was National Tree Day and this weekend communities around the province are tree day activities. I thought it would be only fitting to have a tree theme for this week’s roundup of photos from the Vancouver Public Library. Bear in mind, most of Vancouver – including and especially downtown – was covered in forest […]

When you think of landmarks on Granville street the Orpheum sign comes to mind along with the Vogue’s marquee and perhaps other standout buildings or neon that have stood the test of time. Now imagine a man, a photographer, being a just part of every day downtown Granville life for more than four decades. Next […]

Tomorrow will mark 100 years since Canada’s Governor General, the Duke of Connaught, visited Vancouver with the Duchess to officiate the naming ceremony of the Connaught Bridge. (Left) 1923 – Archives# CVA 371-283. (Right) 1940 – VPL Accession Number: 7978. The Connaught Bridge replaced a bridge in the same location that was built in 1891. […]

This Saturday the Voices in the Park concert will take over Brockton fields, near Brockton Oval and Brockton Point in Stanley Park. The Brockton Point lighthouse is one of Vancouver’s most recognizable landmarks and with so many other areas of the park sharing the name, I thought it would be timely to read up on […]

Kitsilano Beach is formerly known as Greer Beach, named after settler Sam Greer. Samuel Greer (aka “Gritty”) was born in Ireland in 1843 and moved to the States where he fought in the Civil War. After returning to Ireland, the Gold Rush brought him to BC where he was successful with a few claims. 1904 […]

A boy and girl playing with a chained bear in their front yard in Kitsilano, a horse-drawn taxi rolling down Cordova Street, the Hotel Vancouver on the corner of Granville and Georgia. These are all images that I have featured during my weekly history photo series and have mostly been sourced from the City of […]

Vancouver History: Photographer Walter Edwin Frost

Like moths to a flame, bathing-suit clad bodies flock to the Kitsilano Pool as soon as the summer sun starts to shine. It’s a bright blue beacon of warm weather recreation at one of the city’s most popular beaches. Photo credit: ecstaticist on Flickr Photo credit: Carolyn Coles on Flickr 1931 – Construction laying out […]