It was on this day, November 12, 1938, that the Lions Gate Bridge opened to foot traffic — with little fanfare — and it opened to vehicle traffic on November 14th. It wasn’t until May 26, 1939 that the bridge was officially opened by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. 1948, Photographer: […]

After publishing almost 100 posts with collections of photos from the Vancouver Archives and Vancouver Public Library, I have taken note of some important and prolific photographers from Vancouver’s earlier days. One name that comes up often is Artray Studio“>Artray Studios or Artray Limited. Today’s collection of photos from the Vancouver Library Archives features the […]

Vancouver has always been a hot tourism destination. From being marketed as the “City of Destiny” to visitors sending postcards around the globe to say: “wish you were here”. I searched the Vancouver Archives and Vancouver Public Library Archives this week to find some old postcards that tourists and locals alike could purchase and send […]

Vancouver’s known for its H-shaped telephone pole alleyways which have been featured in film and television series for decades. Some have names given to them by historians or businesses but others, like Ackery Alley between Granville and Seymour, were named in tribute. Ivan Ackery with framed caricature and letters at desk. VPL Accession Number: 59306 […]

In honor of the new Vancouver Inspiration Pass offered by the Vancouver Public Library, I decided that this week’s collection of photos from the archives should have a tourism and attractions theme: 1904 – Hollow Tree in Stanley Park. VPL Number: 5. 1900s – View from Grouse Mountain. VPL Number 8128. Photographer: Philip Timms. 1905 […]