It’s fun to poke around in the background of photographs. This section from a 1913 photo from City of Vancouver Archives shows the view east over downtown towards the False Creek flats. In the enlarged view – checking to see details of a building in the background – I noticed these three ladies with wonderful hats up… Continue reading In the Background: Ladies up High
Looking across False Creek from the West Coast Shipbuilder’s yard to downtown, this is what the shore of the creek looked like in the 1940s. The extraordinary mess on the shoreline, roughly where BC Place is today, is the debris from the Empire Box Company and various sawmill operations. (CVA photo M-7-1)
In 1912, Vancouver welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Connaught with a series of ceremonial arches across streets on the processional route the couple would take on their tour of the city. Chinatown welcomed the visitors with this arch over Pender Street at Carrall. What’s of interest is not the arch itself but what can… Continue reading In the Background, Under the Arch
There’s a parade finishing up at Hastings and Carrall c.1899 and this wagon features the products of the Royal City Planing Mill. The mill was at the foot of Carrall Street on False Creek and that might be where it’s going as it turns the corner onto Carrall. CVA 677-27
The Alhambra Cafe offering coffee and pie for 5 cents, meals start at 15 cents. 1916 prices. CVA 371-757
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
Sitting by an open window, this seamstress is at work upstairs at Famous Clothiers on Hastings Street. The photo taken in 1927, shows the former Leland Hotel annex in the 600 block of Hastings Street near Granville. Vancouver Archives photo Bu N295
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 