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The History of Metropolitan Vancouver

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Events Archive
5 January 2021 Vancouver History

The Greenhill Park Explosion

If you were here on March 6, 1945, you will remember the waterfront explosion of the 10,000-ton freighter Greenhill Park, easily the most spectacular and disastrous event in the port’s history…..

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The trans-continental train, The Canadia. [Image: Derek Low]
Events Archive
5 January 2021 Vancouver History

A Stainless Steel Streamliner

A new era in rail travel in Canada began April 24, 1955. The Canadian Pacific Railway introduced The Canadian, an “ultra-modern, lightweight, highly attractive stainless-steel streamlined train.” The train would offer the world’s longest dome ride: 2,881.2 miles. (4,637 k/m).

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Collapse of the Second Narrows bridge
Events Archive
5 January 2021 Vancouver History

Collapse of the Second Narrows Bridge

In 2004 Eric Daichi Ishikawa, one of the students taking part in that year’s Historica event (in which students from elementary schools all across Canada prepare historical exhibits on topics of their choice), assembled an illustrated report on the June 17, 1958 collapse of the Second Narrows Bridge.

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Board of Trade Luncheon, Hotel Vancouver [Aug. 19, 1949]
Events Archive
5 January 2021 Vancouver History

O Canada!

Was Canada’s national anthem written in Vancouver? No. To get the facts, come back with us to a gloriously sunny day in July, 1908 in Quebec City. Brigadier-General Lawrence Buchan was in command of the garrison at Quebec, at the head of 12,000 troops taking part in ceremonies…

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1912 REO [Image: Vancouver Sun]
Events Archive
5 January 2021 Vancouver History

A 1912 Journey Recreated

In 1997 Lorne Findlay, the man standing by that beautifully restored 1912 REO Special, made an astonishing journey: he drove the car right across Canada! With him was writer John Nicol.

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GLIMPSES

A Brief History of Greater Vancouver
Archive

A Brief History of Greater Vancouver

6 January 2021 Vancouver History

Envision the span of human occupation in this area—say, 8,000 years—as the width of this computer screen. The events described

Sun Yat-Sen Garden [Image: The Canadian Enclyclopedia]
ArchivePeople Archive

Dr. Sun Yat-sen

5 January 2021 Vancouver History
Crofton House ca. 1911 [Image: evelazarus.com]
ArchivePeople Archive

Alvo von Alvensleben

5 January 2021 Vancouver History
James Skitt Matthews
ArchivePeople Archive

Major James Skitt Matthews and the Vancouver City Archives

5 January 2021 Vancouver History
Image: Vancouver Sun
ArchiveGuest Posts

Street Names

31 December 2020 Derlang Ansager
The Pantages in Vancouver
ArchivePlaces Archive

The Pantages in Vancouver

31 December 2020 Vancouver History

The History of Metropolitan Vancouver

The History of Metropolitan Vancouver

This is a companion website to Chuck Davis' The History of Metropolitan Vancouver, the "BIG, detailed, solidly informative and very readable (book)... covering everything from Bowen Island east to Langley." Chuck called it "the capstone" of his writing career.

Look for interesting stories, snippets and factoids about Vancouver and its environs as presented by Mr. Vancouver himself!

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Acknowledgements

Photo accession and supplemental research:
Jim McGraw

Vancouver Books page:
Karen Cannon

Biographical research:
Constance Brissenden
Larry Loyie
Donna Jean MacKinnon

Website:
Quasar Design & Data Management Inc. (QDDM)

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