We had a splendidly full and interesting meeting last night. Michael Kluckner led a discussion about how best we can approach the preservation of historic signs in Grandview. These would include the Shelly's sign at the Via Tevere Pizza restaurant on Victoria, and the Cozy Apartments sign on Commercial. It was noted that there are … Continue reading Meeting Notes — September
The Wealthy Barber and The Tin Man
Just the other day I was standing on Commercial Drive looking across at two of my favourite buildings which are in the centre of the east side of the 1600-block. The building on the left is the Odlin Block and the building on the right is the Rodway Block. My interest was piqued because these … Continue reading The Wealthy Barber and The Tin Man
Centenary Houses Story
Our Centenary Birthday Signs received good coverage in the Georgia Straight this week.
Commercial Drive Photographers
In a previous post about photographs, I mentioned that the Drive had rarely been without a photographer and associated services. Following up, here is a list of all those artists and stores from the founding of Commercial Drive through to 1999: Philip Timms (1912) Merchants Photo Co. (1912) Grandview Studio (1915-1918) Vancouver Photo Finishing (1921-1978) … Continue reading Commercial Drive Photographers
The Cozy Apartments
When the Rodway Building was erected in 1911 for tinsmith Joseph Rodway at 1618-1620 Commercial, the suites upstairs quickly became popular. They were sometimes known as the Rodway Apartments but, more usually, they were called the Cozy Corner (or just Cozy) Apartments. The name was no longer used in the City Directories after about 1942 … Continue reading The Cozy Apartments
Building Our History
One of the items we are most proud of here at the Grandview Heritage Group is the unrivaled collection of historical photographs of the neighbourhood that we are happy to display as the Pictorial History of Grandview. But there must be many more, probably in family albums and personal collections. The history of Grandview overlaps … Continue reading Building Our History
Grandview Walks and Talks
At our last meeting, we firmed up our plans for a series of walks and talks on the history and heritage of Grandview during the fall and winter season. Here are some brief details for you to fill out your calendar: Saturday, September 15th at 2pm: Bruce Macdonald will conduct a walking tour of the … Continue reading Grandview Walks and Talks
A Heritage Preservation Reading List
Here is a useful starter collection of books on historic building preservation and conservation issued by the (U.S) National Trust For Historic Preservation. (Note additional entries in the comments).
The Encyclopedia of Commercial Drive
The prestigious BC Studies journal has published a review of "The Encyclopedia of Commercial Drive", calling it "a valuable research source for creating feature articles, documentaries, or even historical fiction or film treatments. This is an all-purpose resource that will benefit many in the years to come."
The Birthday Signs Launch!
This morning we formally launched our Centenary Birthday Signs campaign in front of the wonderful series of 1912 houses on the south east corner of First and Victoria. Twenty-five or more local residents -- including a number of owners whose heritage houses now sport our signs -- helped us celebrate the glorious heritage houses that … Continue reading The Birthday Signs Launch!
Meeting Notes — August
We had a splendid meeting last night, with a welcome number of new faces appearing to add their insights and opinions. Much of our time was spent dealing with housekeeping matters to do with the Centenary Birthday Signs launch on Saturday morning. We will kick off smartly at 10am with a short speech about 1912 … Continue reading Meeting Notes — August
Birthday Signs Story In Courier
The Courier has written a very nice piece about our Birthday Signs campaign launch (and includes the picture above of Penny Street and a house with our sign).
Centenary Birthday Signs Campaign Release
In recognition of the heritage-rich character of the Grandview neighbourhood, the Grandview Heritage Group (GHG) is officially launching its Centenary Houses celebration campaign at 10:00 am on Saturday 18th August with a sign-posting and birthday cake event at 1710 and 1718 Victoria Drive, just south of 1st Avenue. The public is warmly invited to attend. … Continue reading Centenary Birthday Signs Campaign Release
The Hollow Tree
Our member historian Bruce Macdonald is featured in a documentary about the famous hollow tree in Stanley Park and the efforts made to save it against the Park Board's decision to chop it down. The documentary is being shown on Knowledge Network tonight at 10pm and is repeated on Thursday at 11pm. Well worth watching!
Brookhouse: The Interior
The building at 1872 Parker Street, on the south west corner of Victoria Drive, is a fine example of the Queen Anne style popular in the Grandview neighbourhood. It was built in 1909, probably for George N. Jordan, a realtor who lived there until 1916. The house is known locally as Brookhouse, named for a … Continue reading Brookhouse: The Interior
Who Lived Here In 1911 (Part 2)
Back in May, I posted a first analysis of the 179 individuals who were counted as living on Park Drive (later known as Commercial Drive) at the time of the census in 1911. In this second part, I'll take a look at immigration patterns, employment, wages and the position of women. Of the 179 people, … Continue reading Who Lived Here In 1911 (Part 2)
Meeting Notes
We had a marvelous meeting last night, with lively discussion on a wide range of topics. These included: our Centenary Signs project (the signs will be ready next week); the age of the buildings on the 1200-block Lakewood Drive (1909 and 1910); wallpaper stylings in early heritage homes; the large number of "party hats" (or … Continue reading Meeting Notes
Grandview Transportation: The Long View
Next Tuesday there is an important public meeting about the future of transportation in Grandview. In anticipation of that meeting, I thought you might be interested to see this headline: This was the front page story in "The Highland Echo" dated 3rd November, 1938 -- seventy four years ago! We have been struggling with this … Continue reading Grandview Transportation: The Long View
Sunny Day Walking Tour
Here's a photo, by Connie Minogue, of the group on the walk on Saturday morning in front of the monastery/manse of St. Francis of Assisi Church at Semlin and Napier. Thanks to everyone who came out and contributed to the financing of our Century House Signs project, which will be launched soon.
Widening Commercial Drive
In an earlier post, we described how the Brandon Block on Commercial Drive was pushed back by seven feet when the street was widened in 1913. Further to that, I have now found the Local Improvement Schedule that includes the widening. The Schedule was published on 18th October 1911 and called for the widening of … Continue reading Widening Commercial Drive
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