Author: Vancouver History

February 14 The first trans-Canada telephone call—it was between Vancouver and Montreal—was placed. The circuit ran 6,763 kilometres through Buffalo, Chicago, Omaha, Salt Lake City and Portland, Oregon. Not until 1932 was a telephone line for an all-Canada connection completed.

March 20 Malcolm MacLennan, Vancouver’s chief constable, was shot and killed at 522 East Georgia Street while attempting to arrest Bob Tait, a heavily armed drug addict. PEI-born MacLennan, 43, had been chief for a short time, since 1914. Ironically, MacLennan had been an early proponent of medical assistance, rather than criminal prosecution, for drug addicts.

January 5 Dallas Murray ‘Dal’ Richards, named for Dr. Dallas Perry, the man who delivered him today at Vancouver General Hospital on January 5, 1918, has been playing music for us for 70 astonishing years.

January 30 The Native Daughters of B.C. was formed in Vancouver. The group’s objective was to pay tribute to the pioneers and history of the province. Today, they operate the Hastings Mill Store Museum at the north foot of Alma Street.

January 1 The Polar Bear Club swim was started by Peter Pantages. Every New Year’s Day, for more than 80 years now, several hundred cold-defying people leap screaming in their bathing suits (or other more unorthodox attire) into the chilly waters of Vancouver’s English Bay.