History

For all its beauty and history, Vancouverites often take Victoria for granted when it comes to being a desirable destination. Maybe it’s because we feel like we’ve seen it all, or maybe it’s just because we’ve eaten enough ferry food for a lifetime.

City of Vancouver Archives, Air P73.2. 1916 Vancouver’s First Seaplane Vancouver’s first seaplane, built from scratch in Coal Harbour in 1916 by the Hoffar Brothers, was copied from a British magazine. Jimmie Hoffar taught himself how to fly it.

City of Vancouver Archives. Ref: AM281-S8-: CVA 180-3547. 1915 The Vancouver Exhibition The Vancouver Exhibition (today's PNE) had become a permanent fixture in Hastings Park, housing nearly a dozen buildings and an athletic field.

Under construction in 1913. Photo: City of Vancouver Archives. Ref: CVA 99-1303. 1915 Georgia Viaduct The first Georgia Viaduct opened to extend Georgia Street over the CPR’s Beatty Street yard.

Photo: VPL. 1915 Marine Drive On August 11th, the North Shore’s Marine Drive was opened by Premier Richard McBride, providing access to previously secluded areas such as Caulfield. View the entire Metro Vancouver History 365 Series HERE .

Marie Lloyd postcard ca. 1900, National Portrait Gallery #NPG Ax160001. 1914 Marie Lloyd's Controversial Performance English music hall great Marie Lloyd visited Vancouver for a controversial series of performances at the Orpheum Theatre.

Photo: Steve Bosch/Vancouver Sun. 1912 The Only Restaurant Not only an eatery. The iconic Downtown Eastside restaurant The Only opened on Hastings in 1912 and survived until 2009, when it closed amid allegations of drug dealing on its premises.

City of Vancouver Archives. Ref: CVA 258-29. 1912 Point Atkinson Lighthouse Point Atkinson Lighthouse “flashed into being,” replacing an older version installed by the Dominion government in 1875.

Photo: Vancouver Police Museum. 1912 Vancouver Police Department It was in 1912 that the VPD hired its first female employees: Nancy (or Lurancy) Harris and Minnie Miller (or Millar). Their salary was $80 a month.

City of Vancouver Archives. Ref: AM54-S4-: Mon P35. 1912 King Edward VII Memorial Fountain The memorial drinking fountain dedicated to King Edward VII was unveiled at the courthouse. In the beginning, little bronze cups were left for drinkers...