History

City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 1184-517. Jack Lindsay photo. 1944 Jack Benny and Friends Comedian Jack Benny (second from left) and his wife, Mary Livingstone (left), enjoy a break with some colleagues while in Vancouver to tape Benny’s radio show.

City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 99-2957. Photo Stuart Thomson. 1939 Seaforth Highlanders Seen training at the armoury in this September 1939 photo, the Seaforth Highlanders were one of the first Canadian regiments to deploy once war was declared.

New Year's Day 1978 marked the largest throng of gluttons for punishment ever (at the time) to participate in the annual Polar Bear Swim in Vancouver's English Bay.

City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 1376-40. Photo Joseph Bertalino. 1938 CPR Pier Fire The CPR pier—or Pier “D”—morphed into smoke and flames on July 27, 1938. View the entire Metro Vancouver History 365 Series HERE .

City of Vancouver Archives, Dist N116.2.

City of Vancouver Archives, Bu P346. Otto Fernand Landauer photo. 1930 Marine Building An art deco masterpiece, the Marine Building opened to much awe in 1930. It was once the tallest building in the British Empire, but has long been overshadowed.

Dominion Photo Co. photo, Vancouver Public Library VPL 25055.

City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 99-2344. Photo Start Thomson. 1929 Boeing Establishing a local presence, Boeing opened up shop in 1929 in the former Hoffar-Beeching Shipyard.

City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 99–4930. Photo Stuart Thomson. 1933 White Spot Upgrading from a drive-in hot dog stand, Nat Bailey opened the first White Spot Restaurant in 1933 on Granville and 67th, launching a franchise that continues today.

City of Vancouver Archives, Trans P101.1. 1923 BC Electric Company Vancouver’s first motorbus, painted the familiar dark green colour of the BC Electric Company, hauls a load of local dignitaries on its inaugural run in March 1923.