A Historical Peek at Vancouver

Although Vancouver may not seem like a very old city, it does have its own fair share of places with historical interest. Note: Vancouver, as we know it today, was born in 1886.

Canada Place

This is perhaps one of the best known landmarks of Vancouver. It is a five-sailed complex which marks the city’s waterfront. This was, once upon a time, Canada’s Pavilion at the World Expo of 1986. It is currently home to World Trade Center as well as the Vancouver Trade and Convention Center.

It is also the proud house of a five – storey movie screen; which is known as the world’s first permanent IMAX Theater. If you walk around the structure, you’ll be greeted by panoramic views of the city. Local musicians and some well known names, will play daily here on the West Promenade.

Capilano Suspension Bridge

The original form of this beautiful bridge was constructed using cedar planks and ropes. The form we see today is created from reinforced steel which has been anchored into what is roughly about 13 tons of concrete which lies on either side of the canyon. The truth of the matter, however, is that a walk down the bridge is still capable of taking your breath away.

The bridge you see here today is the fourth bridge to have been constructed at the very same site. This one was built in the year 1956 and is known to stretch out around 70 meters above the canyon. This is what gives it the majestic viewpoint for the West Coast Rain Forest.

Canuck Place

This region was earlier built for a turn-of-the-century meets modern-day real estate opportunity. Glen Brae, as it was originally named, was built for a lumber baron called William Tait. This 16000 square foot structure served as his residence then. Today, however, it houses a children’s hospice.

The structure is, perhaps, best known for the two conical protuberances that stick out of the roof. They lend it a unique character. This structure was the site of Vancouver’s first ever residential elevator and had a ballroom. The dance floor of the ballroom was permanently supported by a bed of seaweed so that it was easier on the feet.

Gastown Steam Clock

There were talks about tearing down the oldest part of the city during the middle of the last century. This was because it had gone into a state of disrepair. Luckily for us, preservationists stepped in to the rescue; and Old Vancouver wasn’t lost on the world. This region, in today’s date, stands as a neighborhood replete with Victorian buildings that have cobbled streets running between them. The Unique Selling Point of this area, however, is the existing Gastown Steam Clock; which is perhaps the only one remaining of the five that had been designed by Raymond Saunders, a Canadian horologist.

The clock had been modeled on a design from the 1875s. Bronze was used for the outer casting; and helped take the weight of the clock up to around 2300 pounds. The clock is powered by steam, which is supplied to it from an underground system of pipes.  The glass panels of the clock end up giving you a view of the internal workings of the clock. After every 15 minutes, the clock will sound its whistle and the steam will shoot out from the vents atop the clock. This is one sight you shouldn’t miss if you’re around this part of town!