A FFF post of September 2017 gave a dozen facts about Canada’s 3rd largest city. In this post, I provide an additional baker’s dozen facts about Vancouver in anticipation of its 133rd birthday tomorrow, April 6th.
- In 1892 Charles Woodward established the first Woodward’s department store in Vancouver. He opened a second store in Edmonton in 1926. By the late ’40s the company operated numerous stores in BC and Alberta. After 100 years of operation, however, all Woodward’s stores closed; Hudson’s Bay or Zellers stores took over most locations.
- Built in 1908, the Second Avenue Gurdwara was the first Sikh Gurdwara in Canada. Operated by the Khalsa Diwan Society, it was the centre for spiritual, political, social, and economic life for Indians of all faiths. The Gurdwara was also at the forefront of social justice campaigns supporting the Komagata Maru and regaining the right to vote for South Asians in 1947. (The Society sold it in 1970 to help build the Ross Street Gurdwara.)
- In 1916 the first trans-Canada telephone call was placed between Montreal and Vancouver on a circuit running 6,763 km through Buffalo, Chicago, Omaha, Salt Lake City and Portland.
- In 1930 the Marine Building, at 321 feet, was the tallest building in the British Empire.
- The St. Roch is the first ship to completely circumnavigate North America (1950) and the second vessel to transit the Northwest Passage (1940-42). This Royal Canadian Mounted Police schooner is open to view at the Vancouver Maritime Museum.
- Canadian horologist Raymond Saunders designed and built the antique-looking Gastown Steam Clock (1977). Many sources claim it’s the world’s first (some say second) steam powered clock. It whistles and shoots steam at the top of every hour and announces quarter hours with a common clock chime melody. There are six other working “steam” clocks in the world. They follow the lesson of Gastown’s: the whistles are steam but the clockworks are electric.
- The Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (1986) in Vancouver is the first full-scale Ming-style garden built outside China. It’s also the first such garden built anywhere since the end of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). A classical Chinese garden is patterned on the gardens of wealthy merchants, scholars and landowners of the Ming dynasty in the ancient city of Suzhou near Shanghai.
- BC Place was the first covered stadium in Canada. The retractable roof is 7500 square metres, making it the largest in the world.
- Launched in 2010 and located on top of Grouse Mountain, “The Eye of The Wind” is the only working wind turbine in the world with a glass viewing pod. It is capable of producing enough electricity to power 260 homes.
- The Port of Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and the third largest in North America (after south Louisiana and Houston) in terms of total tonnage moved in and out.
- Immigrants constitute over 40% of Vancouver’s total population. The city has the highest proportion of Asians per capita of any in North American.
- Wreck Beach, the only nude beach in Canada, is also the largest clothing optional beach in North America.
- Vancouver has five sister cities: Odessa, Ukraine; Yokohama, Japan; Edinburgh, Scotland; Guangzhou, China; and Los Angeles, USA.
Patricia Young says
Here’s a fun fact about Vancouver which has been omitted. Perhaps it was included in your September 2017 posting? If so, it bears repeating. Vancouver shares its birthday with one Pam McPhail, though the latter is many decades younger. Sad to say, Pam is never in this fair city so that the two can celebrate together. Advance Happy Birthday Pam and best wishes!
Pat
Pam McPhail says
Let’s confirm a birthday dinner date for April 6, 2020, Pat. In the future, Glen and I are committed to returning to Vancouver before my day.
Patricia Young says
This is the, dare I say it, “happiest” news I’ve heard in some time. Vancouver and the Wallace/Young duo are delighted. Looking forward to our dinner date on Monday, 6 April 2020!
Ron Charuk says
Happy birthday, Pam!
Pam McPhail says
Thanks, Ron. You can pretty well guess the number…
Glen Wickens says
Pam and I are pleased to announce that in the future we will always return to Vancouver before April 6th. Our five months in Arizona will no longer take us deep into April. Just too darn hot. Have to catch the end of the cherry blossom season in Vancouver. Best fact about Vancouver? It is a fun place to live, especially in the English Bay/West End area.
Rick says
Pam
You are about 1/2 the age of Vancouver. That should merit a Fun Facts Friday about you. Happy Birthday for tomorrow.
Glen
“Best fact” in the same paragraph as “fun place”. I think you are missing home (Vancouver).
Rick
Pam McPhail says
Fun fact number one about me: Rick is my Irish twin, meaning he is less than one year older than me. Not sure I can come up with other fun facts! Oh yeah. I was born on Palm Sunday and will not celebrate another birthday on Palm Sunday until 2031.
Linda Richardson says
These are indeed very interesting facts about Vancouver. Pam, you are a wonder at researching and curating historical facts! Another interesting fact is that you share a Birthday with my grandson, your Great Nephew, Otis Reid Orlick. We will be celebrating at this parents’ home tomorrow with a brand new play structure that his Dad, Kyle built. Happy, happy Birthday to you both!
Pam McPhail says
I didn’t get a new play structure for my birthday, Linda, but Glen did buy me a new toy: a reconditioned, unlocked Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Happy 2nd birthday to Otis.
Glen Wickens says
Another fun and, in this case, sweet fact: sugar baron, B.T. Rogers, who had the Gabriola Mansion on Davie street built in 1901, was the first person to own an automobile in Vancouver.
Linda Richardson says
I wonder if B. T. Rogers had anything to do with the naming of Gabriola Island off Nanaimo?
Pam McPhail says
The mansion is named after the sandstone from Gabriola Island that was used in the construction. I discovered this fact when I devised my WE walking tour.
Linda Richardson says
Well that is interesting Pam. Thx.
Brandon Wickens says
These facts. They’re just so gosh darn…fun.
Pam McPhail says
Yes. You will have “fun” seeing Vancouver through an enriched lens when you visit this summer!