History

City of Vancouver Archives. Ref: Trans N87.04. 1912 Street Traffic On June 24, the Vancouver Sun reported that “the roads are getting crowded: the total number of automobiles...in Vancouver is 1,769.

The city’s second mechanized ambulance, purchased in 1910. Photo: Vancouver Sun. 1909 Vancouver's First Mechanized Ambulance Vancouver took its first mechanized ambulance out for a test drive and ran over an American tourist, killing him.

Kalamazoo Library. 1907 John Philip Sousa On October 14, The famous American bandleader and composer John Philip Sousa performed here with his band— all 55 of them. The performance would have set you back $1.75 for the best seats.

City of Vancouver Archives, Pan N140B. Photo W.J. Moore.

Photo: Province Newspaper. 1948 Bing Crosby On September 22, Bing Crosby brought his hugely popular Philco radio show to Vancouver and recorded a benefit program for the Sunset Memorial Centre on East 51st Avenue. It aired on October 13.

Vancouver Public Library, Special Collections, VPL 13333. 1937 Helena Gutteridge Trailblazer. A long-time political and labour activist, Helena Gutteridge addresses a crowd during labour unrest in this 1938 photo.

Vancouver Public Library, Special Collections, VPL 15600. 1941 North Sand Ships The keel of the SS Fort St. James was laid on March 23, 1941, launching the North Sands ships.

City of Toronto Archives. 1936 Sir Ernest MacMillan A giant of Canadian music, Sir Ernest MacMillan, came to the city as a guest conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

City of Vancouver Archives. Ref: CVA 260-936. 1936 Sheet Metal Workers Rocket The Sheet Metal Workers Local 280 had this 12-foot rocket designed in 1936 for a parade celebrating Vancouver’s 50th anniversary.

In honour of The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site’s new exhibit, The Pull of the Net: Commercial Fishing in Canada, we’re taking a look back at how the province has been shaped by the diverse laborers of BC’s fishing industry.