Lily and Rose Streets are two of the most interesting oddities of Grandview, being “off the grid” of the surrounding streets. No doubt they were a function of lot-splitting at some early date. I have found what may be one of the first mentions of “Lily Street”.
In August 1907, famous local auctioneer J.J. Miller and 9 other local residents wrote to Vancouver Council’s Board of Works asking them to:
“clear a right of way on an un-named street lying between blocks one and two in Block 136 Grandview, and between William and Napier Streets, being about 260 feet long. Several new houses are going up there and the residents are unable to obtain access to their homes unless the Council renders them sound assistance in the manner asked for.”
Lily Street was probably given its name soon after as it appears in Goad’s 1912 Map and in the City Directory of 1913.
[source: J.J. Miller et al to Board of Works dated 1 Aug 1907, CVA, Series 342, Board of Works, Letters Reported 13 Aug 1907, 129-A-5 File 15]
grandviewheritagegroup.ca 
Interesting… this is one of the few unsolved mysteries in Vancouver street naming. Can I ask who the other 9 local residents were?
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Bruce: I know that William Miller (J.J.’s brother) was one, but I don’t have the list of the others. I’ll be back in the archives later this week and will get the full list.
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