Frosty temperatures are flirting with the mild Vancouver climate this week as the area experiences another quick taste of winter. While puddles and ponds may freeze, the City is reminding everyone that icy surfaces will not be strong enough to support body-weight for skating. Such was not always the case in these parts as deep […]

The first Granville Street Bridge opened on this day in 1889. Spanning False Creek, it was but a low-rising timber trestle designed mainly by the CPR. 1890 – View from 2nd Ave at Birch. Photographer: W Chapman. Vancouver Archives Item# Van Sc P58. In 1909 the Granville Bridge would be rebuilt in steel with a […]

Santa rolled into Vancouver last week and he’s no stranger to our town. While looking up a keyword for today’s Archives Photos I decided to keep it simple and see how Santa has spent his time in our town over the years. Year: 1939 In this photo: The Case triplets visit Santa Vancouver Archives Item#: […]

When looking for a theme for this week’s collection of Archives Photos, the keyword “Barbershops” caught my eye on the search page. With a wrap on this year’s Movember many grizzly-faced men have been shaving up a storm either at home or with the help of a grooming professional, so the theme seems rather fitting. […]

At last night’s Vancouver Blogger Meetup I was on a panel with Robert Ballantyne who is a resident of Bowen Island. Just 20 minutes away by ferry, this Island community has been a recreation destination for decades making it a perfect feature for this week’s ‘Archives Photo‘ collection. Year: 1917 In this photo: The S.S. […]

The North Shore mountains hide, shrouded in a grey cloud of flurries as I look out over an un-touched blanket of snow covering the West End. This morning’s snow in Metro Vancouver is still cascading from the skies as many have taken to staying indoors and bundling up. Growing up in Surrey we used to […]

I have profiled the Hycroft mansion before but have not had the chance to visit until this week. I was invited by the University Women’s Club who has occupied the luxurious and majestic heritage home since the early 1960s. 1927 – Vancouver Archives Item #Bu P688 Photographer Leonard Frank Found just off Granville & 16th […]

It was announced yesterday that the Pacific Central train station on Main Street will receive $5 million in federal funding for a ‘facelift’. Photo credit: DutchAstrid on Flickr Opening in 1919, it was the western terminus for the Canadian Northern Railway (now the terminus for VIA Rail) and was one of the first major structures […]

Browsing the Vancouver Archives digital collection I sometimes sort my search by category or keyword. The following is a compilation of old-timey images from our city’s past, all having to do with “Automobiles”. Year: 1920 In this photo: Reo Motor Car Agency Limited Vancouver setup at Lumberman’s Arch Photographer: Stuart Thomson Vancouver Archives Item #: […]

A few months ago I put the call out on Twitter to see what people have been curious to know about Vancouver’s past. There were some great suggestions about Joe Fortes and the Great Fire along with several more tidbits that would be interesting to research. A few people asked about the Burrard Bridge and […]