Historic Vancouver Photos

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

which explains why VSB owns the land & leases it to mall

actually, the school board purchased the land a while ago. The property had private ownership for years before that.

[officedweller]

Cambie Street from City Hall, 1956
https://twitter.com/HeritageVan

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

The interior of the main hall was apparently much grander, ornate and natural light-filled than Pacific Central. Also, the railway apparently offered the building to the city for free (to be used as a museum, I think), but the city council at the time declined and it was demolished.

I would think the city council is still staffed by the same people today.

[mcminsen]

Great pic! What in the world is that big thing in the middle of the old Cambie Bridge?

Originally Posted by officedweller

Cambie Street from City Hall, 1956
https://twitter.com/HeritageVan

[mcminsen]

Okay, did a little bit of searching and perhaps that thing in the middle of the bridge is the control tower for the swing section.

BTW, the big ring in Yaletown was part of the swingspan’s mechanism and dates to 1911.

Nice writeup on Vancouver is Awesome:

"Vancouver Was Awesome: The Cambie Bridge and “Swingspan”

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/2011/...awesome-the-cambie-bridge-and-swingspan/



Sept.19 ’18, my pic

[Prometheus]

Nice research.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

Great pic! What in the world is that big thing in the middle of the old Cambie Bridge?

I remember driving on the outside lanes, around the swing span section. Super narrow lanes, always afraid of hitting the wooden curb. The old Brill trolleys would go through the middle at about 20 kmh.

[PaperTiger]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Cambie Street from City Hall, 1956
https://twitter.com/HeritageVan

Wow! Post Office much? that thing is huge now but it was really huge then.

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

actually, the school board purchased the land a while ago. The property had private ownership for years before that.

that doesn't make much sense

a)
vsb owns the land and builds a school

vsb sells the land after closing school

developer buys land. knocks over school to build kingsgate mall

vsb buys land and mall back

or

b)
vsb owns the land and builds a school

vsb closes school

vsb leases land to developer who knocks over school to build kingsgate mall

vsb still owns land under lease, receiving decades of lease payments


i say b) makes more sense

[jollyburger]

Closer shot of the old Cambie Street Bridge:



https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cambie_St_swing-span_bridge_with_BC_Place.jpg

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

i say b) makes more sense

Correct - AFAIK the mall owner has a ground lease.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Closer shot of the old Cambie Street Bridge:

Wow great shot! Guess that was near it's closure in 1985. They got the new Cambie Bridge built just in time for Expo 86.

What an embarrassment it would have been to have the Connaught Bridge ( the old Cambie Bridge ) running directly through a world expo on transportation and communication. I remember there was some uncertainty about the new bridge being completed in time.

[osirisboy]

That would've been fun to drive on! I like the rotting piece of wood acting as a curb against the sidewalk. Lol safety first!

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Wow great shot! Guess that was near it's closure in 1985. They got the new Cambie Bridge built just in time for Expo 86.

What an embarrassment it would have been to have the Connaught Bridge ( the old Cambie Bridge ) running directly through a world expo on transportation and communication. I remember there was some uncertainty about the new bridge being completed in time.

Found a date for the photo December 31, 1983.

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Closer shot of the old Cambie Street Bridge:



https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cambie_St_swing-span_bridge_with_BC_Place.jpg

Wow, what a bizarre juxtaposition seeing this bridge with those towers in the background.

Of course today I am sure they would release some report that would suggest retaining that structure while adding a two lane bridge next to it

[officedweller]

someone was asking about 1-way streets downtown in one of the threads - can't recall which thread.

Came across this 1957 map.
Bigger version at the link.


https://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/one-way-streets-illustrated-map-of-downtown-vancouver

[SpongeG]

1994

Untitled by Al Harvey, on Flickr

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

1994

Untitled by Al Harvey, on Flickr

Took me a minute to figure out that was Kerrisdale. I always think the highrises are clustered along 41st, but there a few blocks depth there.

[SpongeG]

Yeah much more there, I wonder if they will allow for more densification in that area.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

1994

Untitled by Al Harvey, on Flickr

This picture could very well be 2019, a quarter of a century later.

Only thing missing now is the railroad.