A friend sent me the link to the Blizzy63 Photostream, which is a feast of old postcards from around the province. I was interested to see images of St. Francis of Assisi monastery and church at Semlin and Napier, in the distinctive hand-tinted photographic format with cursive lettering of photographer Frank Gowen. I'd believed that … Continue reading Postcards of St. Francis of Assisi
There was a heavy rainstorm and a wintry wind last night, but still the came out for the latest of our regular monthly meetings. As always, the meeting was full of erudite and fun stuff: We discussed: The student program, working with UBG Geog. It didn't work very well for us this year. In fact, … Continue reading Meeting Notes: April 2014
The Daily World was perhaps the most important newspaper in Vancouver in the first decade or more of the twentieth century. At one point it claimed to carry more advertising inches than any other newspaper on the continent! When the paper was owned by Louis D. Taylor (our most-often elected Mayor) the profits were large … Continue reading The Daily World Made Available Online
Here is a fine review from the Courier of Maurice Guibord's walking tour of West Grandview. This is their image, too: Bravo, Maurice!
The New York Public Library has just made available a collection of 20,000 maps in high definition downloadable format. I am certain there will not be a single map of Grandview there, nor even of Vancouver, but I believe it is important to celebrate and praise the opening up of such material that previously was … Continue reading 20,000 Maps Made Available
We had about twenty people at our meeting last night, with a couple of new visitors. I don't think anyone was disappointed with all that we managed to cover in a couple of hours. Michael Kluckner gave a detailed and excellent illustrated talk that led us through the history of heritage legislation and regulation in … Continue reading Meeting Notes: March
This morning a number of us met with two sisters who had contacted us because their family had lived in Grandview from the early days. Their grandfather was Dr. Thomas Agnew who practised at First and Commercial Drive from 1916 to his death in 1948, and their uncle was Dr. Glen Agnew who joined his … Continue reading The Value of Family Papers
After some preliminary work, we are now ready to put together the list of buildings that we will celebrate with centenary signs this year. We have picked out some spots that we really want to include this time out, but we need to find more possibilities. The rule is that the building must be at … Continue reading Centenary House Signs Campaign 2014
Spotted at 1885 Venables today – a couple of guys securing the badly leaking roof of the Green House, indicating the city's desire to ensure the building doesn't suffer any more water damage while it evaluates its suitability for rehabilitation. Good news.
In the early 1960s there was great concern about the health, welfare and education of children in Grandview, and the apparent slumming down of the neighbourhood in general. In that period, much of the health and welfare delivery system was in the hands of United Community Services (UCS, which eventually morphed into United Way). On … Continue reading Fifty Years Ago Today
Here is a statement from the City through Senior Heritage Planner Marco D'Agostini about the Green House at 1885 Venables – the former rectory for Grandview Methodist Church referred to in previous posts. "The Vancouver East Cultural Centre with the support of the city is looking at possible retention of the Green House for the … Continue reading Green House Keeping?
As reported in the previous post, Scott's Grocery is having a close-out sale; Steve and Esther, who have run it for more than 20 years, are retiring to Burnaby, the building has been sold, and the new owner reportedly wants to build "apartments" on the RM4-zoned site. Here's Scott's in Google Street View: ... and … Continue reading Scott’s and other grocery stores
We had another excellent meeting last night, with some new people joining us for the first time. I think they had a good tme. Our discussions included: the Green House next to the Cultch. Michael reviewed the history of our involvement and our desire to see the building renovated rather than demolished. It was noted … Continue reading Meeting Notes: February
A petition has been launched in an effort to stop or at least slow down the wanton demolition of Vancouver's character houses. I would urge everyone to sign on at change.org.. The petition includes a poignant video which is sad but worth the two minutes or so it takes to watch: http://youtu.be/NwO3x9Xflmw
Kristen Moran has created another of her excellent little studies about heritage issues in Grandview: http://youtu.be/FBBbGn0TbP8 See her previous study here.
A few of us met today with Heather Redfern, director of The Cultch, who had commented recently to the Georgia Straight about her long-term plans to demolish the Green House – the old rectory, built in 1912, for the Methodist Church that is the 'historic theatre' of The Cultch's precinct. The building has been abandoned … Continue reading Meeting about the Green House (1885 Venables)
My apologies for the delay in posting these notes; it has been a very busy week! Last Thursday we had a really productive meeting, covering a wide range of current and ongoing issues: We were joined by Vancouver City Clr. Heather Deal for the first hour. She took us through the City's new Heritage Action … Continue reading January Meeting Notes
Note: The Grandview Heritage Group sent the following e-mail December 30, 2013. To: Brian Jackson, Director of Planning Copies: Marco D'Agostini, Heritage Planner, Mayor and Council Subject: The Green House at 1885 Venables Street next to The Cultch Dear Mr. Jackson: We write to you concerning the Green House at 1885 Venables in Grandview, part … Continue reading The Green House at 1885 Venables Street
On Sunday morning (December 29th) Michael Kluckner and Penny Street zoomed around and fetched all the centenary signs that were in people's yards for 2013. We lost one sign this year, from the yard of 2061 East 3rd. So we are down to 24 signs, alas. We are in the process of identifying 24 splendid … Continue reading 2013 Centenary Signs Retrieved
Last Thursday evening, the GHG met for its November meeting. It was another conversation full of interest, with a good turn our and new people attending. In brief, we discussed: 1872 Parker Street. Craig Ollenberger gave a history of the last few years of Brookhouse, leading to the current situation where we will almost certainly … Continue reading Meeting Notes: November 2013
grandviewheritagegroup.ca 