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History of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Journey back in time to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Explore Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Vancouver Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

Fun facts:
Vancouver is named after Captain Vancouver, a morose sounding fellow who must have explored the area in a rainy summer. He hated the place.
In 1971, Greenpeace was born – in Vancouver.
In an average year, Vancouver will see some sort of rainfall on 165 days in the year. The best time to visit Vancouver is in the summer. It’s typically sunny and in fact often suffers from drought. The winter is dark, rainy and dreary. Vancouver – along with Victoria – has the mildest climate in Canada – though one of the rainiest.
Stanley Park is a 1001 acre urban park, bordering the city. It is 10% bigger than New York City’s Central Park.
hikebiketravel.com
Explore even more about Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Keep reading!
Discover Unique Gift Ideas from or related to Vancouver


CANADA - Canadian Roots Genealogy Coffee Mug - Curling and Olympics
"My ancestors came from Canada. That explains a lot about my love for curling and watching the Olympics!"
Discover Vancouver: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1866 - The Town of Granville is incorporated as the City of Vancouver (the name was in fact chosen by the President of Canadian Pacific Railway). Rate-payers elect Malcolm Alexander MacLean, a real estate dealer, as the first mayor of Vancouver.
The city has a population of about 1,000 people
wikipedia.org
The city has a population of about 1,000 people
wikipedia.org
1873
VANCOUVER or QUADRA AND VANCOUVER, an island off the W. coast of the Dominion of Canada, province of British Columbia. Lat. 48° 19' to 50 53 N.. Ion. 123° 1 7 to 128 28' W. Length from N.W. to S E. 278 miles; breadth varying from 50 to 65 miles. Total area 15,037 square miles (about half the size of Ireland). On the E. and N.E. it is separated from British Columbia by the Gulf of Georgia and Queen Charlotte's Sound, and on the S. from that of the United States by the Strait of San Juan-de-Fuca; on the N. and W. it lies open to the North Pacific This Island was discovered by Juan de Fuca, a Greek, in 1592. Captain Cook coasted along the western shore in 1778, and supposed it to form part of the mainland. The first British settlement was made at Nootka Sound in 1778, by some London merchants. Spain, however, bid claim to the west coast of America, south of 60°, and her cruisers seized the British trading vessels. To resent this a large fleet was assembled at Spithead but war was avoided ... Read MORE...
VANCOUVER or QUADRA AND VANCOUVER, an island off the W. coast of the Dominion of Canada, province of British Columbia. Lat. 48° 19' to 50 53 N.. Ion. 123° 1 7 to 128 28' W. Length from N.W. to S E. 278 miles; breadth varying from 50 to 65 miles. Total area 15,037 square miles (about half the size of Ireland). On the E. and N.E. it is separated from British Columbia by the Gulf of Georgia and Queen Charlotte's Sound, and on the S. from that of the United States by the Strait of San Juan-de-Fuca; on the N. and W. it lies open to the North Pacific This Island was discovered by Juan de Fuca, a Greek, in 1592. Captain Cook coasted along the western shore in 1778, and supposed it to form part of the mainland. The first British settlement was made at Nootka Sound in 1778, by some London merchants. Spain, however, bid claim to the west coast of America, south of 60°, and her cruisers seized the British trading vessels. To resent this a large fleet was assembled at Spithead but war was avoided ... Read MORE...
1885 - Holy Rosary Cathedral established at Vancouver
www.gcatholic.org
www.gcatholic.org
1886 - Great Vancouver Fire
1886 - Vancouver General Hospital opened on Pender Street
1886 - Vancouver Police Department formed
1887 - Canadian Pacific Railway’s Engine 374 brings the first transcontinental train into Vancouver.
wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org
1888- Stanley Park opens in Vancouver
1890 - Vancouver
"Vancouver, a rising tn, in above island (Vancouver Island), and terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway. P. 5,000. It possesses a fine harbour."
The Pocket Atlas and Gazetteer of the Dominion of Canada
John George Bartholomew John Murdoch Harper January 1, 1890 London : J. Walker
"Vancouver, a rising tn, in above island (Vancouver Island), and terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway. P. 5,000. It possesses a fine harbour."
The Pocket Atlas and Gazetteer of the Dominion of Canada
John George Bartholomew John Murdoch Harper January 1, 1890 London : J. Walker
1897 - The Klondike Gold Rush boosts a continent-wide depression of the 1890s. By 1900, Vancouver displaces Victoria, the provincial capital, as the leading commercial centre on Canada's west coast.
wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org
1907 - (Vancouver) Spencer's department store opened at Richards & Hastings (later Eaton's).
wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org
1909 - Vancouver got its first ambulance.
Everyone was very excited. On its first trip with the city crew it ran over an American tourist at the corner of Pender and Granville. He became the first patient transported in the ambulance.
www.macleans.ca/ society/ life/ 9-colossal-canadian-failures/
Everyone was very excited. On its first trip with the city crew it ran over an American tourist at the corner of Pender and Granville. He became the first patient transported in the ambulance.
www.macleans.ca/ society/ life/ 9-colossal-canadian-failures/
1919 - (Vancouver) Canadian National Railway station completed
1938 - The Lions' Gate Bridge opens (Vancouver)
1948 - (Vancouver) The first television broadcast is received from Seattle.
1953 - Vancouver's first TV station, CBUT, goes on the air.
1958 - 18 BELIEVED KILLED IN COLLAPSE OF SPAN.
Vancouver, B. C. (AP) - Skindivers worked in bright sunlight Wednesday to recover the last of 18 men killed or believed buried in the twisted wreckage of the collapsed Second Narrows Bridge.
Fourteen bodies were in the Vancouver morgue. Two others were located late Tuesday after two sections of the nearly-completed 16 million dollar bridge collapsed into Burrad Inlet, but could not be recovered immediately.
The other men were missing and possibly swept downstream by tidal rips.
Chief Justice SHERWOOD LETT of the British Columbia Supreme Court was to meet with Atty. Gen. ROBERT BONNER to discuss setting up a one-man Royal commission to inquire into the disaster, worst in Vancouver's history.
Col W. G. SWAN, chief designer for the engineering firm that designed the bridge, could give no reason for its collapse. Until the Royal commission turns up information, he said, "we won't know the answer."
It was 3:42 p. m. on a hot, windless afternoon Tuesday when the two end... Read MORE...
Vancouver, B. C. (AP) - Skindivers worked in bright sunlight Wednesday to recover the last of 18 men killed or believed buried in the twisted wreckage of the collapsed Second Narrows Bridge.
Fourteen bodies were in the Vancouver morgue. Two others were located late Tuesday after two sections of the nearly-completed 16 million dollar bridge collapsed into Burrad Inlet, but could not be recovered immediately.
The other men were missing and possibly swept downstream by tidal rips.
Chief Justice SHERWOOD LETT of the British Columbia Supreme Court was to meet with Atty. Gen. ROBERT BONNER to discuss setting up a one-man Royal commission to inquire into the disaster, worst in Vancouver's history.
Col W. G. SWAN, chief designer for the engineering firm that designed the bridge, could give no reason for its collapse. Until the Royal commission turns up information, he said, "we won't know the answer."
It was 3:42 p. m. on a hot, windless afternoon Tuesday when the two end... Read MORE...
1971 – Gastown Riots (Vancouver)
1971 - Greenpeace was born in Vancouver.
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Vancouver:
Stanley Park: Start your Vancouver adventure at Stanley Park. This iconic park offers scenic views, walking and biking trails, beaches, and the famous Seawall. Don't forget to visit the Vancouver Aquarium located within the park.
Granville Island: Explore Granville Island's bustling public market, art galleries, theaters, and artisan shops. It's a great place to sample local food and crafts.
Grouse Mountain: Take the Skyride gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain for stunning panoramic views of the city. In the winter, you can go skiing or snowboarding, and in the summer, enjoy hiking and wildlife encounters.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: Experience the thrill of walking across the suspension bridge that spans the Capilano River. The park also features treetop adventures and a cliffwalk.
Science World: Perfect for families, Science World offers interactive exhibits and hands-on science activities. It's both fun and educational.
VanDusen Botanical Garden: Enjoy the... Read MORE...
Stanley Park: Start your Vancouver adventure at Stanley Park. This iconic park offers scenic views, walking and biking trails, beaches, and the famous Seawall. Don't forget to visit the Vancouver Aquarium located within the park.
Granville Island: Explore Granville Island's bustling public market, art galleries, theaters, and artisan shops. It's a great place to sample local food and crafts.
Grouse Mountain: Take the Skyride gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain for stunning panoramic views of the city. In the winter, you can go skiing or snowboarding, and in the summer, enjoy hiking and wildlife encounters.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park: Experience the thrill of walking across the suspension bridge that spans the Capilano River. The park also features treetop adventures and a cliffwalk.
Science World: Perfect for families, Science World offers interactive exhibits and hands-on science activities. It's both fun and educational.
VanDusen Botanical Garden: Enjoy the... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Vancouver Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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