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Historian to discuss North Vancouver's transformation into a modern urban centre

On Thursday January 25 , the Vancouver Historical Society will host a lecture by historian Daniel Francis on the history of the District of North Vancouver. The talk is at 7:30pm at the Museum of Vancouver.

On Thursday January 25, the Vancouver Historical Society will host a lecture by historian Daniel Francis on the history of the District of North Vancouver. The talk is at 7:30pm at the Museum of Vancouver. All are welcome and entrance is by donation.

 Famed mountaineers Phyllis and Don Munday gaze at The Lions from Grouse Mountain, 1920. Courtesy North Vancouver Museum and Archives 5681Famed mountaineers Phyllis and Don Munday gaze at The Lions from Grouse Mountain, 1920. Courtesy North Vancouver Museum and Archives 5681

Originally part of the territories of the Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Nations, the community of North Vancouver predates Vancouver as the earliest European settlement on Burrard Inlet. For several years Moodyville was the "capital" of Burrard Inlet. Boosters even thought that the North Shore might become the terminus for the transcontinental railway. Instead North Vancouver had a more measured history, characterized by industrial development along its waterfront, residential development up its mountain slopes and recreational development in its backcountry.

 Miss Betty Brown launching 'Mabel Brown' at Wallace Shipyard in North Vancouver, in January 1917. VPL 20099.Launching a ship at the WWI shipyard. VPL 20099.

In this well-illustrated talk based on his book Where Mountains Meet the Sea commemorating the 125th anniversary of North Vancouver District, historian Daniel Francis describes how the community evolved from a frontier sawmill village into a modern urban centre marked by its location midway between the mountain wilderness and the third largest city in Canada.

When: Thursday January 25, 7:30 pm

Where: Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut Street)

Cost: By donation.

About the Speaker: Daniel Francis has authored 30 books on topics ranging from prohibition, to brothels, to a biography of Vancouver's longest-serving mayor. In his latest book, Where Mountains Meet the Sea, Francis turns his attention towards his home community - the District of North Vancouver. Francis recently received the Governor General’s History Award for Popular Media (the Pierre Berton Award) for bringing Canadian history to a wider audience. Photo: bee chalmers.