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 Built to educate the children of Japanese immigrants who came here in the late 1800s, the building is now a national historic site. The treatment of people of Japanese descent was pretty heartless during World War II, as property was seized and families forced into internment camps. This property is the only asset that was returned to the Japanese community after the War. 

 Built in 1907 and originally called the Eureka Grocery, the neighbourhood grocery store was conveniently located next to the interurban rail line that ran to Steveston. Those train tracks became a popular bike path a few years ago, and lots of cyclists now stop here for coconut water and home-made cranberry flax muffins. (1978 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 In 1907, the year this hotel was built, the 900 block of Main Street was a popular stop for people coming from New Westminster and the US to the busy port of Vancouver. It's one of a small group of  buildings that owe their existence to the fortunes of the Klondike Gold Rush. In between the two pictures below, the Clarendon changed its name to the American Hotel, and it became known for drugs and violence. A recent renovation has made it a popular destination for burgers and beer. (1907 photo from Vancouver Public Library).

 This towering Main Street landmark was originally built in 1915 as the south Vancouver post office. Its ornate (by Vancouver standards) design is described in detail here. The original photo was taken from above street level, so the shots don't line up as well as some of the others. 

 Well, the fancy cornice is gone and has been replaced by a looming crane, with others in the background. They're everywhere! But this old beauty isn't going anywhere. Here's some background information on the owner, the builder, and its evolution to a co-op; a well-managed one by the looks of things. (1912 Major Matthews photo from Vancouver City Archives).

Built in 1929, this building is on the heritage watch list, as it has some architectural significance. Unfortunately its future has been the subject of some debate, as it sits on city-owned land that has been rezoned to increase density. The Annex is now slated to be relocated and a 12-storey office building will be built behind it. (1930 Stuart Thompson photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 You have to look pretty hard to see this 100-year-old house peeking over the shops on Granville Street. The website Vancouver As It Was tells an interesting story about feuding bookstores in the neighbourhood back when this picture was taken. (1928 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 It wasn't long ago that Granville Island was nothing more than an oil-soaked shanty town full of decrepit warehouses hidden under the Granville Bridge. I remember driving there in the early 1980s and getting stuck in the mud. Now it's one of the city's most popular destinations for both locals and tourists. Many old buildings remain, like this one. and there are some pretty exciting plans for the future.

 Originally a funeral home, and a big one at that. I'm not sure what the top two floors are now, but the street level is a fancy women's clothing store.  (1930 photo from Vancouver City Archives).

 Built in 1925, still going strong. One of several well-preserved old apartment buildings in the South Granville neighbourhood. Surprisingly, the Renfrew is not on the heritage register.