The British historical journal History Workshop has recently published an interesting piece on the value (and lack of use) of local histories. "Local history takes in a broad range of historical inquiry that can cut across other disciplines and sources including oral traditions, social and cultural practices, ephemera, objects, sites and more. Local history is a powerful … Continue reading On The Value Of Local History
Meeting Notes: March 2017
Another good turn out for our March meeting, and another good session of heritage and history talk. Heritage Renvation Issues: We were joined by Cynthia who owns a heritage house on Semlin. More than a decade ago, she built a sunroom on her deck and made some changes to the old cottage at the foot … Continue reading Meeting Notes: March 2017
Ruining The Streets in 1910
In September 1910, Mayor Louis D. Taylor and Aldermen Stevens and Enright toured the city "to see just what the [public] work was going on." They began in Cedar Cove and then moved into Grandview. The following report, which gives a good description of some parts of Grandview at that time, is from the Vancouver … Continue reading Ruining The Streets in 1910
What Lakewood Drive Might Have Been
Lakewood Drive is a thoroughly lovely residential street today. But that is not how some residents wanted it to be. "A petition signed by a large number of property-owners on Lakewood Drive is being presented to the B.C.E.R. [the streetcar company] for a carline on that thoroughfare, to parallel the Park [Commercial] Drive line and … Continue reading What Lakewood Drive Might Have Been
Meeting Notes from February
We had another well-attended and packed-with-news meeting on Thursday evening. Character House Review Javier Campos, president of Heritage Vancouver, gave a short presentation and initiated a dialogue about the City's new Character House Review process. Javier is opposed to what he considers "extreme" heritage preservation rules which, he believes, is forcing the city to push … Continue reading Meeting Notes from February
Meeting Notes: January 2017
We had another great turnout for our first meeting of the year last night, and we managed to cover a great deal of ground. Eric began with his regular What's Happening in the Neighbourhood review The Cultch's Green House on Venables appears to be occupied now after an excellent program of renovation and restoration; The … Continue reading Meeting Notes: January 2017
Our Racist Past
Ninety-eight years ago today, the Grandview Chamber of Commerce, supported by the Grandview Ratepayers Association, held "an enthusiastic gathering of merchants and prominent men of the district, gathered to unite their efforts to drive out of the district of Grandview the Oriental … Speakers said they did not want Grandview to be overrun with Orientals, and … Continue reading Our Racist Past
Happy Christmas!
Townsend & Townsend
Here is an interesting post from Scout magazine about the architects Townsend & Townsend and the "diapering" design they became known for during the golden age of Vancouver building before the First World War. Although they are not mentioned in the article, the Drive has three Townsend & Townsend buildings, none of which have the … Continue reading Townsend & Townsend
Character House Review
To assist with some important work between now and the next GHG meeting, why not join Caroline Adderson in studying the City's proposals for "character houses." Here is what Caroline has to say: I just want to make sure you all know about the Character Home Rezoning review open houses which are winding up next … Continue reading Character House Review
Soundscapes
This morning I received the following email from BC Studies: The British Columbian Quarterly regarding a call for soundscapes and associated materials. I thought it would be of interest to some readers: "BC Studies: The British Columbian Quarterly is seeking sound clips, soundscapes, or other types of audio accompanied by a written component (article, essay, … Continue reading Soundscapes
Meeting Notes: November
Another good gathering last Thursday, and more fascinating discussions. We looked at various property assemblies being created in the south end of the neighbourhood; we also noted the falling state of the RE market; and then we were still surprised to find 1976 still priced at less than $1 million; There was a fine discussion … Continue reading Meeting Notes: November
What Might Have Been
Anyone who knows Commercial Drive knows Joe's Cafe on the corner of William Street. It is an unprepossessing single-storey flat-roofed structure, not unlike many other similar buildings along the Drive. This one has been that way since Harry Evans had it built in 1910: Building Permit issued 9th November 1910 Owner: Harry Evans Architect: Townshend … Continue reading What Might Have Been
Meeting Notes: October
We had another fine gathering this evening. There was a short agenda but we managed to fill the time with interesting discussions. Eric presented his latest Neighbouthood Update. Land assembly is going on around Broadway and Garden in preparation for the changes allowed under the new Community Plan Work is continuing on the Green House … Continue reading Meeting Notes: October
Venables and Victoria
While researching the previous post, I came across this image of the Methodist Church at Venables and Victoria. The quality of the image is not great (old newspaper + microfilm + online) but I am sure this is the earliest image of the church as it was taken before the dedication ceremony in March 1909, … Continue reading Venables and Victoria
The House That Wouldn’t Fade
At the last GHG meeting, we reported that Donato Calogero gave a wonderful presentation on the history of his house at 1350 Graveley Street. The research indicates that the house is almost certainly the oldest existing house in Grandview, having been moved twice in its 116 year life. Donato has graciously allowed us to include … Continue reading The House That Wouldn’t Fade
Research Methods For Local History
Vancouver is fortunate in having a very fine Library and City Archives (CVA) system that maintains an enormous body of documentary and visual evidence of Vancouver's history and heritage. There is, in fact, so much data available that it can be overwhelming for both professional and amateur researchers alike. To assist researchers, the CVA has … Continue reading Research Methods For Local History
Lecture about the Shelly’s 4X sign
The neighbourhood's ghost sign at Via Tevere Ristorante on Victoria Drive at William is the subject of a Vancouver Historical Society lecture on Thursday, September 22nd. I will be talking about the discovery of the sign, its restoration by the Grandview Heritage Group in 2012 or was it 2013, and the advertising campaign the bakery … Continue reading Lecture about the Shelly’s 4X sign
Notes To September Meeting
We enjoyed a wonderfully full and productive meeting last night. There were almost thirty people in attendance, many of them new to the group. They were interested and articulate, and it was great to welcome them all. The following agenda items were covered: Donato Calogero began the meeting with a wonderful presentation on his house … Continue reading Notes To September Meeting
Progress on the Green House
The wraps are off the Green House – the former rectory of the Grandview Methodist/United Church on Venables near Victoria, which is being renovated to resume its role as the administrative and workshop space for The Cultch. Kudos to the city and the contractor! Earlier posts on this thread tell the story....
grandviewheritagegroup.ca 