What's New

OLD UBC Firehall
added November 29, 2020
OLD UBC Firehall
 This campus landmark was originally built in 1926, and operated as a firehall until 1982. New rooms have been added, but you can still see the hose drying tower in the back.  It is currently used by various Art Departments of UBC. 

Kits Beach
added November 28, 2020
Kits Beach
 In 1914 Charlie Chaplin makes his first film, the Komagata Maru is turned away at Vancouver's port, Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated, and beachgoers enjoy a sunny day in Kitsilano!

Crystal Dairy
added November 28, 2020
Crystal Dairy
 This building was constructed in 1927, with Crystal Dairy as its first occupant. The company was taken over by Palm Dairy in the 1950s, but ice cream continued to be made here until the early 1960s. It currently houses a guitar shop in the heart of bustling Commercial Drive

666 Kingsway
added November 28, 2020
666 Kingsway
The only reason a photo was taken of these two nondescript buildings in 1936 was for a court case.  Some would-be robbers rented the empty store at 662 Kingsway under the guise of growing mushrooms. They were caught digging a tunnel under the dry cleaner with the intention of robbing the Royal Bank next door. 

Odd Fellows Hall
added November 28, 2020
Odd Fellows Hall
 This well-preserved 1904 building overlooking Victory Square has seen many tenants, including Wrigley Directories and the Odd Fellows shown here. Today it's home to a high-end furniture store

Chinese Benevolent Association
added November 28, 2020
Chinese Benevolent Association
 This 1909 building has both architectural and historical significance in the city. The CBA was instrumental in advocating for the rights of Chinese Canadians, who faced severe discrimination in the first half of the 20th century. The building itself set the tone for the Chinatown style of architecture, such as recessed balconies and inscribed parapets, many of which are still visible today. 

Washington Court
added November 28, 2020
Washington Court
 When it was built in 1910, this building had five floors. Several months later, a sixth floor was added, shown in this picture. In 1966 a fire destroyed the top floor and it went back to 5.  In 2018 another fire damaged several suites.  And that's the 'storey' of Washington Court. 

The Queen Charlotte
added November 28, 2020
The Queen Charlotte
The West End experienced a massive building boom during the 1920s, including the Marlboro, and the Queen Charlotte, pictured here. Built by Dominion Construction for a businessman and politician named H H Stevens, whose beliefs in white supremacy led to his active involvement in the shameful  Komagata Maru incident. It was restored by the late Robert Ledingham and now consists of 25 million-dollar condos.

Haywood Bandstand
added November 28, 2020
Haywood Bandstand
 If you look closely you can see two small children posing in front of the bandstand. When I took this photo, a homeless guy was camped under the shelter of the overhang. The Heritage Foundation claims it was built in 1914, but the photograph is dated 1912. The North Shore mountains in the background of the old photo appear much closer than in my shot, because the original photographer used a much longer lens than mine. You can see the old English Bay Pier in the background. 

The Marlboro Apartments
added November 28, 2020
The Marlboro Apartments
 This 1928 image shows the Marlboro in the last stages of completion, and as you can see it hasn't changed much over its 92-year life. It was built by one of the Lightheart Brothers, prolific builders of apartment buildings in the West End. 

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