From the June 15, 1908 Vancouver World. Just one of many lives saved by the city’s life guard, special constable and citizen.

By 1910, Vancouver had three public restrooms available to those in need (earlier facilities were pretty basic public urinals for men) and while an editorial in the Vancouver World lauded the city for its progress and development, it complained that it lacked the necessary number of public conveniences for a city growing at such “an… Continue reading Lost Urban Objects 2

Jewish Book Festival is one of Vancouver’s leading cultural and literary events, attracting a large and varied audience of over 5,000 people of all ages. This highly popular community-wide event brings together prominent and emerging Jewish writers and non-Jewish writers with Jewish interest subject matter in literature, the arts, philosophy, theology, history and current events… Continue reading Jewish Book Festival Coming Up!

From Heather Gordon and the Authenticity Blog: John Atkin and Michael Kluckner have curated two new “Through the Lens” shows for the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre’s digital Planetarium Star Theatre. Using historic photographs from the early 20th century paired with contemporary shots of the same locations, these “indoor” digital walking tours allow you to experience the changes… Continue reading A New “Through the Lens” at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Yes, it all happened on Hastings Street! It was a world of dreams and escape, thrills and wonders beyond belief, every day and night right there on Hastings. Once home to a legion of theatres that hosted the likes of the Marx Brothers, Welda and Serano, Wallace the Untameable Lion, and a host of others.… Continue reading Vaudeville’s Great White Way: Hastings Street!

“a Unique Heritage Jewel in the Heart of Vancouver’s West End – 1523 Davie Street, Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia CBRE Limited is pleased to present the unique opportunity to acquire Gabriola, a famous Class “A” heritage mansion on a half-acre lot in the vibrant West End, Vancouver’s most densely populated neighbourhood. The West End is… Continue reading A Modest Residence for Sale

“I also think that an effort should be made to provide a number of public squares, planted with shade trees and provided with seats, where citizens could resort in the summer and enjoy fresh air. They would add much to the attractiveness of our city and remove that appearance of sterility which at present strikes… Continue reading A Call For Public Squares From the Mayor

Looking at a portion of this 1888 view of Burrard Inlet (CAN P105) from the Leferve Building at Hastings and Seymour, you can see the CPR’s offices on Cordova, the plank roads and wharves beyond. Looking closer and you can see the photographer didn’t think there were enough steam engines in the photo, so he’s… Continue reading It Needs a Steam Engine…

The magazine rack at the Marpole BCER station in 1921 had the run of the mill publications on display, but up high on one rack is an issue of Saucy Tales. Begun in 1916, Saucy Stories lasted for 127 issues. Originally published by Nathan & Mencken it was soon sold to the Inter-Continental Publishing Corp.… Continue reading Looking at the Magazine Rack