Today in Local History – August

Above: Premier W.A.C. Bennet [Image: Vancouver Sun]

On August 1, 1952 New Brunswick-born William Andrew Cecil Bennett became premier of BC. He would serve to September 15, 1972, just over 20 years, making him our longest-serving premier.

Vancouver population today, August 1, 2008: 605,109 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,220,707 (est.)

On August 2, 1983 the Province newspaper came out for the first time in a tabloid format. Prior to this time it had been what in newspaper circles is called a “broadsheet.”

Vancouver population today, August 2, 2008: 605,122 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,220,778 (est.)

On August 3, 1939 Vancouver’s police department cars had radios installed.

Vancouver population today, August 3, 2008: 605,135 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,220,849 (est.)

On August 4, 1914 the First World War began. As one local result of the war, the Vancouver Stock Exchange suspended trading for two months.

Vancouver population today, August 4, 2008: 605,148 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,220,920 (est.)

On August 5, 1914 Canada declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Vancouver population today, August 5, 2008: 605,161 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,220,991 (est.)

On August 6, 1940 this appeared in the Province: “Installation of parking meters on an experimental basis in downtown Vancouver was approved in principle by aldermen in traffic committee Monday after a resolution by Mayor Telford . . .” Boo. Hiss.

Vancouver population today, August 6, 2008: 605,174 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,062 (est.)

On August 7, 1950 masked bandits held four B.C. Electric employees at bay with a submachine gun early today in a ticket office raid which netted only $59. It was the first time such a weapon had been used in a city holdup . . . Police said the raid on the B.C. Electric carbarns ‘bullpen’ at Thirteenth and Main was staged by two men at 3:30 a.m.

Vancouver population today, August 7, 2008: 605,187 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,133 (est.)

On August 8, 1917 while in Portland, Oregon on business, Prussian-born Vancouver businessman Alvo von Alvensleben was arrested. It seems British intelligence officials had sent a list of “dangerous German spies” to the U.S. Justice Department, and Alvensleben’s name topped the list. A British newspaper said that if Germany had won the war, Alvensleben was to be in charge of British Columbia!

Vancouver population today, August 8, 2008: 605,200 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,204 (est.)

On August 9, 1942 A.E. McRae’s Hycroft mansion in Shaughnessy, built at a cost of $109,000 in 1909, was sold by the McRaes to a grateful federal government for $1. (There were rising costs and the Second World War made hiring of staff by the McRaes difficult.) Shaughnessy Military Hospital was full to bursting with convalescent soldiers and Hycroft was put to immediate use to handle the overflow.

Vancouver population today, August 9, 2008: 605,213 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,275 (est.)

On August 10, 1914 Dr. Leonard S. Klinck, dean of agriculture, 37, was the first faculty member appointed by UBC. He would become the university’s second president after Frank Wesbrook died in 1918, and would hold the post for 25 years.

Vancouver population today, August 10, 2008: 605,226 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,346 (est.)

On August 11, 1912 Chalmers’ Presbyterian Church, at the southwest corner of 12th Avenue and Hemlock Street in Vancouver, was dedicated. (Today it’s known as Anglican Holy Trinity Church.)

Vancouver population today, August 11, 2008: 605,239 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,417 (est.)

On August 12, 1977 a plaque by artist Stjepan Pticek was installed at the northwest corner of Georgia and Hornby Streets, dedicating a section of Hornby Street (between Georgia and Dunsmuir) as “Wasserman’s Beat,” in memory of the late Sun columnist Jack Wasserman.

Vancouver population today, August 12, 2008: 605,252 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,488 (est.)

On August 13, 1906 the owners of all houses on Dupont Street were given thirty days to put a stop to their activities. (Brothels.) By the end of October they were back in operation. Dupont Street is now Pender east of Main.

Vancouver population today, August 13, 2008: 605,265 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,559 (est.)

On August 14, 1980 Vancouver-born actress and Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten was shotgunned to death by her husband Paul Snider in a West Los Angeles apartment. Snider then shot himself.

Vancouver population today, August 14, 2008: 605,278 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,630 (est.)

On August 15, 1950 the BC government closed down the BC Provincial Police, and turned the policing of the province over to the RCMP.

Vancouver population today, August 15, 2008: 605,291 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,701 (est.)

On August 16, 1910 the precursor to the Pacific National Exhibition, the Vancouver Exhibition, began. It was a major event, and the exhibition was opened by Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier.

Vancouver population today, August 16, 2008: 605,304 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,772 (est.)

On August 17, 1957 The Vancouver Sun reported that American tourists were griping about the money exchange rate: they lost 5 1/2 cents every time they cashed in a dollar!

Vancouver population today, August 17, 2008: 605,317 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,843 (est.)

On August 18, 1895 famed American author Mark Twain, in town on a speaking tour, spent the day ill in bed in the Hotel Vancouver.

Vancouver population today, August 18, 2008: 605,330 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,914 (est.)

On August 19, 1936 Max Baer fought in Vancouver’s 10,000-seat Denman Arena, and the Province‘s Bill Forst wrote a funny column about Baer’s terrified opponent, James J. Walsh, who billed himself as The Alberta Assassin. Walsh lasted only one punch.

Vancouver population today, August 19, 2008: 605,343 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,221,985 (est.)

On August 20, 1936 an eight-foot-high statue of Captain George Vancouver, sculpted by Charles Marega, was unveiled at Vancouver City Hall by the visiting Lord Mayor of London, Sir Percy Vincent.

Vancouver population today, August 20, 2008: 605,356 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,056 (est.)

On August 21, 1949 the biggest earthquake in BC’s recorded history, 8.1 on the Richter scale, occurred. Its major force was felt in the ocean west of the Queen Charlotte Islands and damage was minimal. “While hardly anyone in Vancouver felt the tremors, reports of the quake poured in from throughout B.C. . . . Prince George residents ran into the streets shouting ‘earthquake, earthquake,’ as cafe signs swung and poles swayed.” Centres 1,500 miles (2,400 km) apart felt the quake, and it was even detected in Jasper, Alberta. Locally? The Province reported on Page One that a clock had stopped in the home of Mrs. Laurie Sanders, Imperial Street in Burnaby.

Vancouver population today, August 21, 2008: 605,369 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,127 (est.)

On August 22, 1974 Vancouver’s Granville Mall was officially opened.

Vancouver population today, August 22, 2008: 605,382 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,198 (est.)

On August 23, 1990 the Surrey campus of Kwantlen College opened. It’s now Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Vancouver population today, August 23, 2008: 605,395 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,269 (est.)

Note: sometime today, Metro Vancouver’s population was 2,222,222

On August 24, 1994 a fire at the Alberta Wheat Pool dock forced closure of the Second Narrows Bridge for six hours and the evacuation of the PNE, because of the potential danger of explosion.

Vancouver population today, August 24, 2008: 605,408 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,340 (est.)

On August 25, 1960 Premier W.A.C. Bennett opened the Second Narrows Bridge. Today it’s known as the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing, in tribute to the men who died during its construction.

Vancouver population today, August 25, 2008: 605,421 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,411 (est.)

On August 26, 1957 the one-way street came to downtown Vancouver. No accidents were reported.

Vancouver population today, August 26, 2008: 605,434 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,482 (est.)

On August 27, 1975 the Arthur Laing Bridge opened. (Originally called Hudson Street Bridge, it was designed to improve traffic flow to and from the airport.)

Vancouver population today, August 27, 2008: 605,447 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,553 (est.)

On August 28, 1954 the first B.C. Lions game was played. They lost to the Western Interprovincial Football Union champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers 8 to 6. The new team had actually led the Bombers briefly, thanks to a touchdown by fullback By Bailey.

Vancouver population today, August 28, 2008: 605,460 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,624 (est.)

On August 29, 1917 the Migratory Birds Convention Act was given Royal Assent. Before the Act a good hunter could take up to 2,000 birds a year in the Fraser delta, and earn a comfortable income selling waterfowl to the local market.

Vancouver population today, August 29, 2008: 605,473 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,695 (est.)

On August 30, 1972 Dave Barrett and the NDP won the BC provincial election. Barrett, a 43-year-old social worker from Coquitlam, became the province’s 26th premier, would serve to December 21, 1975 when Bill Bennett, son of the man Barrett defeated, defeated him in turn.

Vancouver population today, August 30, 2008: 605,486 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,766 (est.)

On August 31, 1957 Elvis Presley performed one song at a packed Empire Stadium, left the stage when fans begin to battle with police. He returned to sing four more songs, none of which could be heard over the screaming.

Vancouver population today, August 31, 2008: 605,499 (est.)
Metropolitan Vancouver population: 2,222,837 (est.)