In 1908, Recreation Park at the corner of Smithe and Homer played host to the circus. The banners advertise such side show attractions as Mungo, a Maori Chief, The Randalls, champion sharpshooters and the intriguing sounding William Doss, the Human Telescope. Here’s a 1902 New York Times article describing Mr Doss’ abilities: “Wille Doss, the Human… Continue reading In The Background: William Doss
Looking at an early photograph of the Byrnes Block on Maple Tree Square and I’m interested to see the date on the pediment, 1887. A shot from the early 2000’s shows an earlier date… somewhere along the line I guess the clocks were wound back… and then the recent restoration put the clocks forward a… Continue reading In the Background: revised dates
A sign in the window of 675 Granville Street in 1935. Vancouver Archives: CVA 99-4761
My colleague Andy Coupland found this mislabelled post card the other day. The station was tracked down in Quebec City as seen in the colour shot from the 1960s . http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/jan2012via.htm.
This image appeared on Ebay many months ago and it was described as a Chinatown funeral in Vancouver c.1900, but I couldn’t place the location. But behind the crowd in the window of the corner storefront is a sign for the Opera Resort, this puts it at the south east corner of Carrall and Pender… Continue reading Carrall and Dupont (Pender) Street
In 1958 Vancouver’s old City Hall met the wrecker’s ball. This was the city’s second city hall after the 1886 fire and was once home to the public market and a theatre. The old hall was replaced with a short lived public market building. Archives photo 2010-006.155
My colleague Larry Wong drew my attention to this article from the Chinese in the Northwest Research Committee web site. If you don’t know this site it’s a fascinating and detailed ongoing research project. The Tacoma Art Museum Sells a Chinese Collection Donated in Memory of the 1885 Driving-Out In 1976, Colonel John and Mary Young, second-generation… Continue reading When Museums Don’t Get History…
The Vancouver Archives has put some 500 plus maps up on their site! Maps are so much fun and this collection is a great resource. “The project makes these maps available to everyone quickly online, and makes them easy to re-use. It reduces damage to the oversized originals due to handling, as they no longer… Continue reading Maps, Maps, and more Maps
The Vancouver Historical Society was established in 1936 to stimulate public interest in Vancouver’s history, to encourage historical research and publication, and to promote the designation and preservation of historic sites. It is incorporated provincially as a non-profit society and registered federally as a charity. Meetings are on the fourth Thursday of the month (except… Continue reading February At the VHS: Curt Lang’s Vancouver
The Star Theatre was on the site of the old police station on Main Street. Unlike many of the theatres at this end of town it only showed movies. Here’s a sandwich board guy letting everyone know what’s on. He’s standing in front of McDonough Hall on the southeast corner of Hastings and Columbia. It’s… Continue reading In the Background: Movies at the Star
What Floats to the Top of My Desk 