History

George Diack / Vancouver Sun. 1972 Maple Tree Square Still a gas. Visitors of Gastown enjoy the sun in Maple Tree Square on June 22, 1978.

Vancouver Public Library, Special Collections, VPL 5006. Leonard Frank photo. 1912 Douglas Lodge Douglas Lodge was built in 1912 as the Bank of Commerce building at Granville and 12th. It continues today as a heritage apartment block.

Vancouver Public Library, Special Collections, VPL 21112. Dominion Photo. 1940 Empress Theatre Celebrity venue.

1926 Tomahawk Barbecue The original Tomahawk Barbecue, opened in 1926 in North Vancouver, was an early drive-in restaurant in the Vancouver area—“the first,” according to its website - though business still mainly consisted of sit-down customers at t

City of Vancouver Archives Arch P50 Otto Landauer photo. Jewish Museum & Archives of BC. 1952 Lumbermen’s Arch Arch attraction.

Lions Gate Bridge. Founded by Chris Reid and Andrew Farris, the On This Spot app allows you to experience Vancouver’s unique history in a whole new way.

Province newspaper photo, Vancouver Public Library VPL 43502.

Photo: Vancouver Sun 1957 Carnegie Building Still a feature on the corner of Main and Hastings, the Carnegie building became the new home for the Vancouver Museum after the Vancouver Public Library moved to its new building in 1957.

City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 371-836. 1920 Polar Bear Swim These groups of brave swimmers are shivering at the water’s edge at English Bay on the first day of 1939, preparing to participate in the annual Polar Bear Swim.

City of Vancouver Archives Pan N54. W.J. Moore photo. 1916 Lost Lagoon Stanley Park’s Lost Lagoon was separated in 1916 from the sea by a causeway, turning it into an artificial lake.