What's New

Springer and Van Bramer Block
added August 04, 2024
Springer and Van Bramer Block
Another Victorian Italianate design, this one constructed in 1889 by Ben Springer and  Captain James Van Bramer, two of Vancouver's early real estate entrepreneurs. Built just two years after the Gastown fire that levelled the city, it was one of the earliest large scale brick-clad buildings in Gastown. (1890 photo from Vancouver City Archives.)

The Horne Block
added August 04, 2024
The Horne Block
This 1890 building is named after real estate speculator and local politician JW Horne, who developed a number of buildings in Vancouver.  The Victorian Italianate features include exposed cast iron columns, open stairways leading to below ground retail spaces, and decorative arches in the brickwork. These days the upper two floors are Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units. (1890 photograph from BC Archives).

Western Sports
added June 09, 2024
Western Sports
Recreation of a Greg Girard photograph from the 1970s. The building is currently a safe injection site run by Insite(1970s photo from GregGirard.com). 

Imperial Oil
added June 05, 2024
Imperial Oil
Built in 1932 during the depths of the Great Depression, this Kitsilano gas station's neo-Spanish colonial style reflected a strong California influence that can be seen in several buildings throughout Vancouver. The gas station closed in the 1970s, and was replaced by a parade of restaurants, the most recent being Local, part of the Joey restaurant group. (1932 photo from VPL Digital Archives.)

Peter's Ice Cream
added May 30, 2024
Peter's Ice Cream
 Peter and Betty George opened this popular ice cream shop in 1945. It quickly became a local landmark, providing memories for families and kids throughout Kitsilano.  (1970 photo from Vancouver City Archives). 

Capilano Brewing Company
added May 18, 2024
Capilano Brewing Company
Capilano Brewing Company was founded in 1934 by Fritz Sick, whose family owned breweries throughout Canada and the US. After moving from this location to 1550 Burrard Street, Capilano Brewing was purchased by Molson's in 1958. (1941 Leonard Frank photo from Vancouver City Archives). 

195 W 23rd Avenue
added May 17, 2024
195 W 23rd Avenue
Great Kodachrome photo of 1970s Vancouver from Pop Snap. (1970s photo from Pop Snap).

False Creek 1885
added May 17, 2024
False Creek 1885
In 1885, while the Metis and the Canadian Government were battling it out on the Prairies, the Statue of Liberty was making its way from France to New York City. And oh yeah,  Lachlan Hamilton took a break from surveying and naming Vancouver's streets to shoot this image of False Creek from what is now Sunset Beach. (1885 image from Vancouver City Archives).

Morisette Farmhouse
added May 06, 2024
Morisette Farmhouse
Although the photo is not old (1974), this house is one of the oldest in the Dunbar neighbourhood.  The Morrisette family built their home in 1912, across the street from a 10 acre parcel of land that they farmed. It has heritage status now, and is being carefully renovated into a private residence again, after a career as a rest home. (1974 photo from Vancouver City Archives). 

Hammond Furniture
added March 10, 2024
Hammond Furniture
Ernie Hammond started his furniture business in 1927, moving to this massive warehouse when it was built in 1937. For a time they also owned the building across the street (now home to Mr. Mattress). Hammond Furniture last appeared in City Directories in 1976. (1948 photo from Vancouver City Archives). 

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