One of my favourite Vancouver events is the annual Salmonberry Days held in May and sponsored by the Dunbar Residents Association. I have had the pleasure of presenting a walking tour as part of the event for the past 20+ years. Each year we explore a different part of the neighbourhood accompanied by 65 or… Continue reading Dunbar Street’s Japanese Business History
Years ago I had heard of a tour bus operator who arranged for a couple of guys in costume brandishing knifes that would run across Pender Street near Carrall on the edge of Chinatown as the bus came down the street so that the driver could announce “oh my a tong war!” to the apparent… Continue reading Rubber Knives, Ketchup and the Persistence of Tourism Myths…
The Friends of the Vancouver City Archives have a walking tour coming up in October. The Georgia Viaducts, the only visible reminder of the grander city-wide freeway plan of the 1950s, will soon be a memory with their impending demolition. On this walk we’ll explore their history and development, the freeway fight and explore a… Continue reading The Roads to Nowhere
This summer we’re looking at some quirky and interesting bits of the city. Walks start at 7:00pm and cost 10 bucks. No reservations needed, just show up at the location listed. Walks go regardless of the weather. July 13 – Strathcona: the other side of the tracks The area between the CN tracks and Clark… Continue reading Wednesday Night Heritage Walks!
Exploring The Other Waterfront: The River District The North Arm of the Fraser River is the city’s other, and unappreciated, waterfront. Industry still occupies much of the shoreline and log booms, barges and tugs make for a fascinating and changing parade of activity. At the foot of Kerr Street, the view was once dominated by… Continue reading New Sunday Walking Tour
I recently had the pleasure of leading a walk in the West End for the Vancouver Heritage Foundation as part of their Sunday coffee series at JJ Bean. Their newest location on Bidwell is behind the preserved facade of Maxine’s Beauty School. The most oft asked question about that location is the tunnel that supposedly… Continue reading Who was Maxine Anyway
I finally got myself organized and have posted my Jane’s Walk: Scrap Metal, False Creek, and Taxi Cabs: a walk on Vernon Drive It will be a walk the length of Vernon Drive south of Venables. We’re meeting on the south east corner of Venables and George Street, 7:00 pm. As usual, rain or shine.
For the last evening showing of the IMAX film Rocky Mountain Express we’re running the All Aboard tour again. August 29th – All Aboard! 2: The railway and industrial history of the eastern False Creek. False Creek was home to a number of railway companies including the Great Northern, Canadian National, and the Canadian Pacific. On… Continue reading Special Event! We’re collaborating with Science World for an evening walk and movie.
Recent Projects in the Eastern Downtown On this walk John and Andy will take a look at a few of the new additions to the Gastown, Chinatown and Hastings Corridor. On the walk you’ll discover some interesting and contemporary restoration/renovation projects, new residential infill and a couple of surprises. Meet at the NW corner of… Continue reading Walking Tour with Andy and John
Finally, it’s time to go for a walk in the evening. All walks start at 7:00pm, cost $10.00, they go rain or shine and no reservation, just show up. August 22nd. A walk on the Edge of the City King Edward Avenue was once the the southern boundary of the city of Vancouver. We’re… Continue reading Wednesday Night Heritage Walks
What Floats to the Top of My Desk 