Vancouver History: Stanley Park Reservoir

Before you gasp in disbelief as City crews patch potholes on Water Street with asphalt, covering and replacing what look like historic cobblestone bricks, you should know that they are actually a product of an early disco era. The concrete pavers were put in place 40 years ago in an effort to preserve Gastown’s history, […]

It has been 84 years since Percy Williams of East Vancouver won two gold medals in track and field at the Amsterdam Olympics — a feat that has never been repeated by a Canadian. 1928 – Archives item# CVA 99-3631 & CVA 99-3638. Photographer: Stuart Thomson. As part of the King Edward High School track […]

On this day in 1888, the S.S. Beaver ran aground at Prospect Point in Stanley Park. The Beaver was the first steamship to operate in the Pacific Northwest and was the first steamship in the Eastern Pacific. 1888 – S.S. Beaver. Archives item#: Bo P354. The Beaver left England, where she was built at Blackwall, […]

Coming up with a theme for my weekly photo collection from the Vancouver Archives can be a challenge, especially when I realize that I’ve already published about 70 collections. I’ve featured old timey Beach Scenes, Picnics, Grouse Mountain, Bikes, Ice Cream, Summer Scenes, and Amusements. What left to represent summmer in Vancouver? With Pride Week […]

It’s not everyday that an apartment building in Vancouver celebrates 100 years of life so the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association is making sure to mark the occasion of the Lee Building’s Centennial. On Sunday, July 15th, 2012 they’ll host an event at Heritage Hall on Main where past residents, merchants, and anyone who’s passed […]

Richmond’s Sea Island is home to more than our award-winning airport, it also has a lone residential area. The quaint community of Burkeville that hugs Russ Baker Way and was established in 1943 as a part of the Dominion Government’s Wartime Housing Plan. The federal government established the neighborhood and built 328 cottages for employees […]

June 13th has traditionally been called “Vancouver Day” as a number of significant city events happened on this day in history. Here are a few items of note thanks to Chuck Davis’ Vancouver History: June 13, 1792: Captain George Vancouver explored Burrard Inlet June 13, 1859: A seam of coal was discovered at Coal Harbour […]

1927 – Leonard Frank Photos. Archives item# CVA 1477-51 66 years ago yesterday Vancouver’s most-elected Mayor, Louis Denison (“L.D.”) Taylor, passed away. Between 1910 and 1934, Taylor served as Mayor eight times, spending 11 years in the city’s top office. Taylor was born in Michigan and lived in Chicago before coming to Vancouver in 1896 […]

Playland is opening for 2012 this weekend so a look through the City of Vancouver Archives to find old amusement park photos seemed in order. 1929 – Entrance gate to the Vancouver Exhibition and Happyland on Renfrew. VPL#: 7925. Photographer: Leonard Frank. 1939 – Fair rides. Archives item# CVA 99 – 3131. Photographer: Stuart Thomson. […]