What's New

 Between 1931 and 1953, Wright's Canadian Rope Company occupied what is now part of the Public Market. In that time they produced wire rope for the Army during WW II as well as international projects like the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

 The building that currently houses the Granville Island Kid's Market used to manufacture white lead, a toxic substance used on the hulls of boats. 

 Yet another beautifully preserved apartment building in South Granville, complete with parapets and unique arched doorways. 

A record store, and one of the last private homes on this part of Broadway. Photo courtesy City of Vancouver. 

 Back when this picture was taken, people drove on the left side of the road, Emily Carr taught painting a few blocks away, and you could buy a building lot in Shaughnessy Heights for $50.  (1908 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 According to the sign on the building, you could dance to Latin-American music at the Blue Star Restaurant and Cafe.  (1978 photo copyright city of Vancouver.)

 In this one small corner of the city you could find dentists, cigars, typewriters, clothiers, a drug store, and an accordion school back in the day. Today it's pretty much one big coffee shop.  (1940 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 The Pavilion is Stanley Park's oldest structure, and was originally built as a concession stand in 1911. It has been a venue for thousands of dinners, parties, and wedding receptions, none of which I ever attended. In fact, I had never seen the outside of it, let alone the inside, until the other day, when I walked the grounds virtually alone. It's an impressive and iconic place with strong links to the history of Vancouver, and I look forward to spending more time there. 

 I'm old enough to remember 1978 pretty clearly. It doesn't seem that long ago to me. But in these pictures, it feels like a lifetime has passed. Even the road is slumping in the recent picture. The funeral home that once occupied this spot has moved a few blocks down the road to a more upscale neighbourhood. 

 In the 1940s this stretch of Granville Street was Theatre Row, and movie patrons could go to the Esquire to enjoy a nice pork chop, or get their tea leaves read by Madam Lucille. Time has not been kind to this building. I wonder if all that beautiful neon signage survived somewhere?