What's New

Safeway circa 1978: another classic image from POP SNAP. 

Even today you can tell that this building was initially a garage. It was actually built for a vulcanizing company in 1918,  and has had several auto-based businesses as occupants over the years.  Today of course, it's another row of restaurants, because of course the West End can always use more restaurants.

This striking image by Franz Lindner is from the CBC Media Archives. It was taken in 1960 for their program on addiction in Canada, “G.O.M.” (God’s Own Medicine).  Even then, Vancouver was ground zero for drugs, and the Downtown East Side was the epicentre. The alley seems to go on forever in the old photo, unlike the current image where the Georgia Viaduct interrupts the view. Here's some information on Sarah, the Cafe's owner. 

Vancouver's first fire hall opened on Water Street in Gastown in 1886. A couple of weeks later, the entire city burned to the ground. This one was built in 1905, renamed Firehall #2 in 1906, and served the neighbourhood until 1975. In 1982 it became the Firehall Arts Centre.  

A "symphony of steel and concrete", Burrard Bridge was completed in 1932 as the fourth bridge to cross False Creek, and is now the oldest.  Its Art Deco ornamentation displays symbols representing the founding of the City, veterans of World War I, and Sir Harry Burrard Neale (who never came within 5000 miles of Vancouver). About 50,000 cars cross over it every day. Recent upgrades include bike lanes and suicide fencing. It looks like it's due for a new paint job.

Much of Water Street's south side has been rebuilt, since the original buildings were built on unstable soil. The Canadian Fairbanks Store at the corner was saved through extensive renovations. 

In the old photo taken sometime in the 1950s), the Richmond Apartments are on the left, the Devonshire Hotel is in the background. Both are gone now. The old court house remains as does the Hotel Vancouver, a sliver of which can be seen in both photos. Hornby Street appears to be much wider now, possibly due to the construction of Robson Square across the street, along with the addition of a bike lane a couple of years ago. (Photo by Leslie Sheraton, copyright City of Vancouver).

The Sun Ah Hotel was built in 1912 by Loo Gee Wing, who made his money during the Klondike Gold Rush, and invested it wisely in Vancouver real estate. The Lung Kong Tien Yee Association has owned the hotel since 1926. The Ho Ho Chop Suey opened in 1954, and catered to the non-Chinese visitor. It's bright neon signage served as a Chinatown landmark for many years. (Paul Yee photograph, copyright City of Vancouver).

In the 1950s, hundreds of thousands of people would line East Hastings Street to watch the PNE Parade go by.  These days this neighbourhood near Princess Street is looking a little more ragged, lacking much of the colour that the old Kodachrome image has. The Carl Rooms Block has lived on this corner since 1909, currently owned by the City, as is the Patrick Anthony Residence two doors west (left). The one-storey tailor shop  building just next to it is also still there, barely.  

The businesses have changed but the buildings remain. Here is some information on the stores that lined this block back in the day.