Broadway at Main, 1950s. COV Archives, 2010-006.106
Participants can learn about Mount Pleasant’s history while taking in the architecture, natural features, and ambiance of the neighbourhood though three different historical walking tours. I’ve updated both of my original tours—In the Path of Brewery Creek and Lower Mount Pleasant—and added a new one for 2024. The Secrets of SE Mount Pleasant walking tour takes participants through the surprisingly rich history of the south east portion of Mount Pleasant.
E. 15th . C. Hagemoen670 Kingsway, 1936. CoV Archives CVA 371-499SE Mt.Pleasant. C. Hagemoen
The history of SE Mount Pleasant is informed by the streets that divide it (Fraser Street, Kingsway and 12th Avenue). This walk will explore how these thoroughfares shaped the businesses, industries, and residential development of this part of Mount Pleasant. We’ll explore quirky streets and alleys, discover “fossils” in the neighbourhood’s hardscape, learn about the area’s built and natural history, meet some of the interesting people who once made their homes and livelihoods in this neighbourhood, and learn its many secrets!
Quebec St. C. HagemoenAnza club. C. Hagemoen1910 laundry building. C.HagemoenBest Foods, E 12th. C. HagemoenSE Mt. Pleasant, C. HagemoenLower Mt. Pleasant. C. Hagemoen
History tours invite you to see the neighbourhood in new ways and are great for digging into a neighbourhood’s past so you can better understand its present. My Mount Pleasant history walks include the stories of everyday people and groups that have traditionally been underrepresented. These stories include working-class histories and the histories of marginalized groups.
Tour groups are intentionally kept small (maximum 8 participants) to allow for a more personal and flexible experience. Tours cost $22 per person.
For more information about the tours, dates available, and to sign up go to my Walking Tours 2024 page.
1938. CoV Archives, CVA 300-138Wallace family, Salt Spring Island ArchivesCOV Archives, Dist P18Nikkei National Museum, 2018-1-1-2-4aCOV Archives CVA 371-235E 6th Ave., C. Hagemoen family photo
East side of Vernon Building with it’s crazy parking lot February 12, 2024. Photo: C. Hagemoen
This story has been updated since it was first posted (updates at bottom of page).
Since this past weekend, the heritage building has been closed and sidewalk access has been prohibited. Some of the building’s tenants initially shared on social media channels that this closure would be temporary.
This situation really started almost a year ago, when scaffolding was erected around the structure after some of the building’s brick facade fell off almost hitting someone on the sidewalk below. This was ostensibly due to vibrations from subterranean Broadway Subway boring. After this incident, sensors were applied to the building by the Broadway Subway team, as a precaution, to measure any potential movement in the structure. New scaffolding was put up about a week ago by a masonry company that was hired to do the repairs (see photo above). Why it the took building’s owners almost a year to get repairs underway, I’ll never understand.
Vernon Block in 1978. Photo: COV Archives, CVA 786-60.29
Problems started again last Friday (February 9) when one of the masons working on the building noticed an alarming crack in the brickwork (presumably larger than the ones they were hired to fix?) which then started a chain of events involving structural engineers, the city, and the building’s closure.
The local rumour mill has been spinning ever since! Some claim that the onsite consulting engineer said that the building is condemned as it is structurally unsound. This would mean that the Vernon Building and the parking lot beside are all coming down! Another source said that this latest brick event has been over-stated as the building is constructed of reinforced concrete with a brick facade. Meaning that even though the bricks may be compromised, the building itself is structurally sound. Apparently the consulting engineer was unfamiliar with the buildings construction and also unaware that special motion sensors had been applied.
Inquiries made by one of my heritage friends to the City’s heritage department earlier today were met with no knowledge of the situation. The heritage planner had not heard anything about a permanent closure or any effects to the building structure. The fact the the city’s heritage department was unaware of any situation is either good news or very bad news indeed. (The Vernon Block is listed as a Category “C” building on the Vancouver Heritage Register).
Apparently, there is a big meeting planned for tomorrow (February 13th) where all the parties involved will be updated to the actual situation. I will update this post once I’ve heard some concrete information (no pun intended).
I’m sure the building’s latest tenant, Trees Organic Coffee, which just opened up earlier this month, is wondering what the heck they have gotten themselves into!
West side of the Vernon Building taken February 1, 2024. Photo: C. Hagemoen
Time to learn some history about the subject of all this fuss. The Vernon Building, or Vernon Block (225-245 East Broadway), was built in 1930 for F.T. Vernon. It was designed by the esteemed Vancouver architectural team of Townley & Matheson. They were the team who designed another iconic Mount Pleasant building, Vancouver City Hall (1936).
F.T. Vernon’s Flour and Feed store along Kingsway (at Broadway) in 1913. Photo: COV Archives
The building’s original owner was Frederick Thomas (F.T.) Vernon. He emigrated (along with with his parents and siblings) to Vancouver from Liverpool, England in 1905. The family initially settled in Mount Pleasant. An active member of the local auto club, it is possible that it is his car that is seen outside his Flour and Feed store in the photo above. It is that same wood frame building that first occupied the site of today’s Vernon Building. The Vernon Bros. Flour and Feed store opened shortly after Vernon’s arrival in the city.
Original linoleum floors in the buildings foyer. Photo: C. Hagemoen
When the Vernon Block first opened in 1930 it was under the management of H.A. Roberts Ltd.. At that time, rents for the ground floor stores were $45 to $85 per month, that’s the equivalent of $783 – $1480 per month today.
The second floor of this handsome Clayburn brick clad building was initially much smaller; occupying approximately 30% of the floor space we see today. The remaining portion of the second floor was added at a later date.
Vancouver Sun, October 20 1960.
This current situation isn’t the first time the building had “structural issues”. In 1960, a “runaway street sweeper owned by the city crashed into the front of Brownie’s Florists, 225 East Broadway” causing an estimated $2000 damage. Proprietor Boise Brown is seen in the newspaper photo above clearing up the debris.
A long-time building tenant, Brownie’s Florist occupied the storefront at the southwest corner of the Vernon Block from around 1938 to the 1990s. In their early days they were known as Brownie’s Richmond Florist. Brownie’s continue to operate in Mount Pleasant to this day, now across the street at 273 East Broadway.
West window of 225 East Broadway in 1985. Photo: COV Archives, CVA 791-0087
For a time in the mid 2000s, the space at 225 E. Broadway was occupied by the JEM Gallery. The name JEM stood for Just East of Main.
The building in 1985 showing Brownie’s Florist, Kerwal Cafe, and Canadian Outfitters along Broadway.Photo: COV Archives CVA 791-0086
The current upstairs tenant, Mintage Mall, occupies the space that was previously tenanted by Household Finance Corporation or HFC. You can see their neon signage on the building in the 1978 photo above. They were in the Vernon Block for over 40 years.
Along the Kingsway side of the building past occupants have included a Junior League Thrift Shop and a Radio and TV repair shop. The latter first occupied the space at 76 Kingsway as a radio shop starting in 1933. Later in the 1950s, the business expanded to include the new technology, television.
This old Radio-TV Service Shop sign was still hanging on the building until about 2019. Photo: C Hagemoen, 2018.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention the quirkiest part of the Vernon Block—the gravity-defying parking lot that is attached to the north side of the building. Pointing out this peculiar parking lot to attendees is a personal highlight of my Mount Pleasant walking tour.
Google Street view of the parking lot in 2018.
The Vernon Block (and its occupants) has been an integral part of the Mount Pleasant streetscape and community for 94 years. Let’s keep our fingers crossed it makes it to at least 95.
This post will be updated once more information is available.
Update Tuesday February 13th: Unfortunately, there has been no change to the situation. Nothing new to report. Earlier this afternoon, I walked by the Vernon Block and the construction flag people were still stationed at each access point of the building. The sidewalk and a portion of the street surrounding the building were blocked off. Hopefully there will be more to report tomorrow.
Update Wednesday February 14th: After I alerted Vancouver Sun reporter John Mackie to the situation yesterday morning, a story appeared in the Sun (yesterday evening online and this morning in print) about the Vernon Block:
Following Tuesday’s inspection, [Neil] Wyles [MP BIA] said it would still be “a couple of days” before the full scope of repairs or maintenance required would be clear. “But all indications are it is not as bleak as first thought,” he told Postmedia.
Last year marked the 10th anniversary of vanalogue! So, for the new year I thought it would be a good opportunity to take a look back on the most popular posts with readers and some of my favourites.
I started this blog in 2013 shortly after I was laid off from my dream job as a Media Librarian at the CBC Vancouver Media Archives, where I was hired to work on an English television moving image preservation project. My work at the CBC exposed me to a lot of great local history which in turn inspired me to start sharing it. (Besides I needed something to do while I looked for another job). My next job at the City of Vancouver Archives further cemented my passion for history and the need to share it.
Researching and writing about local history has become my passion. I love to uncover the untold or long-forgotten stories of the people, places, and things of this region. Blogging has led me to write professionally. First with Scout Magazine where I have been the You Should Know columnist since 2016. I’ve also written for PhotoLife and Geist magazines. In December 2021, I published my first book Mount Pleasant Stories: Historical Walking Tours, which won a 2023 City of Vancouver Heritage Award for Education and Awareness.
City of Vancouver Heritage Awards 2023 at the Hollywood Theatre
Top 5 posts of all-time on vanalogue
I research and write about topics that interest me, so it is great when they also resonate with my readers like these ones did. I especially enjoy hearing back from readers and the comments they leave. They offer so much insight and are just as interesting as the post (if not more interesting).
#1 – Bottle-Dash Stucco– February 3, 2014. Who knew that broken bottle glass embedded in stucco and used as a construction medium would elicit such a response? I certainly didn’t when I first wrote about it almost 10 years ago.
#2 – Sidewalk Prisms of Vancouver – April 14, 2016. – I’m always on the lookout for more of these and I love it when I see them in other cities–in person or in media (movies and TV). It was pretty fun going on a Jane’s Walk in 2019 called ‘Vancouver’s Illuminated Sidewalks’ based on my work. Especially when we discovered this new set of round ones by chance on the tour.
#3 – Reviving a Polaroid 360 Land Camera – February 14, 2014. So many people are taking up analogue photography these days, so it is not surprising that they are searching for more information about film and cameras.
#4 – Eleanor Collins: Vancouver’s First Lady of Jazz – February 18, 2017. I’m so pleased that this post on the fabulous Eleanor Collins has been popular. Though I am sure one of my biggest promoters, Eleanor’s daughter Judith Maxie, is primarily behind its success. I’m happy to say that Eleanor celebrated her 104th birthday last November.
Eleanor Collins Photo: Franz Lindner
#5 – Her name was Lulu, she was a showgirl – July 12, 2016. This was a fun one to research so it is great that so many people have read it. I think it has made the rounds on Reddit which keeps it a popular post to this day.
Miss Lulu Sweet.
One of my personal favourite posts was the one I did about Sarah Cassell and her restaurantin November 2017. Sarah’s Cafe was actually the first story I posted on vanalogue back in June 2013. For the following four years I was always keeping my eye out for more information about Sarah and her cafe, which led me to the in-depth post in 2017. I was so excited to find her image a year later, thanks to newspapers.com. The comments on that post have really driven my research on Sarah and my commitment in sharing her story.
Sarah Cassell cooking in the kitchen at Sarah’s Cafe on Union Street ca. 1976. Photo: Peter Hulbert, Province Newspaper
Of course, anyone who knows me or has taken one of my walking tours knows about my obsession with sidewalk name and date stamps ( what can I say? I love sidewalks). It is no wonder then that one of my favourite posts is Sidewalk Date Stamps. I’m always on the lookout for new ones and have gotten really good at spotting them in older photographs and Google streetview.
My Local History Advent Calendar posts in December of 2018, 2019, and 2022 have been a mixed blessing. They are a good writing exercise and allow me to explore many different topics, however usually by Day 15 it all becomes quite a slog. 24 posts in 24 days is a lot of work.
Thank you for coming along on this journey through history with me, it has really been a ride. So, let’s raise a glass to the future of looking at the past! Cheers!
You will notice a new feature at the bottom of my sidebar called “buy me a coffee”. It’s basically a digital tip jar. So, if you enjoy my local history content, you can support my work with a donation at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vanalogue
Mount Pleasant Stories history walks are back for fall (September & October)! These tours are for anyone who would like to learn about Mount Pleasant’s tangible and intangible heritage in an active way. Tour groups are intentionally kept small (maximum 8 participants) to allow for a more personal and flexible experience. The spring 2023 tours were very popular and sold out, so sign up early to reserve your spot(s). There are two different tours to choose from (see individual tour information below). Sign up for one or both!
Tours will be held on a Saturday or Sunday starting at 10 AM.Each tour will be around 2 to 2.5 hours. Participants must be comfortable walking 3 kms over a 2.5 hour period of time on a route that includes a few alleys without sidewalks and some uneven surfaces. Tours take place rain or shine. If rain is forecasted bring rain gear. Wear comfortable clothing & shoes.
Tour 1: In the path of Brewery Creek
Mount Pleasant is Vancouver’s first suburb and the only neighbourhood to develop along a creek. Brewery Creek once flowed down to False Creek, carving a ravine for itself through Mount Pleasant, crossing Main Street twice – at 14th Avenue and again at about 10th Avenue. Early settlers established industries – tanneries, slaughterhouses, and several breweries – along its ravine. That early growth was supported by the introduction of electric streetcar service in 1891. Many of the buildings from this streetcar era still exist. These older, human-scale buildings continue to provide housing, creative and commercial spaces for a wide variety of individuals, community groups and local businesses.
Starting at historic Heritage Hall, we’ll loosely follow the historic path of old Brewery Creek through Mount Pleasant’s heritage heart as it winds its way downstream towards False Creek. Along the way, we’ll discover the people and businesses that settled along its banks, including the historic breweries that gave Brewery Creek its name. In addition, we’ll explore quirky streets and alleys, discover historical and other interesting neighbourhood features, learn about the area’s built and natural history, and meet some of the interesting people who once made their homes and livelihoods in this neighbourhood. Conveniently, we’ll end the tour at one of Mount Pleasant’s breweries giving participants an opportunity to savour some of the neighbourhood’s liquid history, if they so choose.
Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours. Please note this tour is point-to-point and will not end up at the start location.
Meeting location – Heritage Hall at 10 AM. (please arrive a few minutes early for check in).
End location – around E 6th and Scotia Street.
Cost: $20 per person – tour capacity 8 people
Tour 1 dates: Sunday September 24 (Full); Saturday, October 7th.
To reserve a space (or spaces) on this tour fill out the contact form below.
Tour 2: Lower Mount Pleasant
Lower Mount Pleasant, the light-industrial, commercial, & residential area (north of Broadway, bounded by Cambie Street and Clark Drive), is often omitted when Mount Pleasant heritage is discussed. Though it is hard to tell today, this area was once primarily residential and home for a multi-cultural community of families and individuals. Many of them were new immigrants who came to work in the industries that operated along the south shore of False Creek. Others set up their own businesses, opened shops or restaurants, or provided services to the Mount Pleasant community. Small pockets of the original dwellings, buildings, and businesses still exist and serve as a tangible reminder of the varied history of this part of the community.
On this walk we’ll explore the surprisingly rich history of this area and learn the stories of some of the families, workers, legacy businesses, and social groups that once called this unique part of Mount Pleasant home.
Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours. Please note this tour is point-to-point and will not end up at the start location.
Meeting location – SW corner of Jonathan Rogers Park (W8th at Columbia) at 10 AM. (please arrive a few minutes early for check in).
End location – around W 8th and Ontario Street.
Cost: $20 per person – tour capacity 8 people
Tour 2 dates: Saturday, September 16th; Sunday October 1st (Full)
To reserve a space (or spaces) on this tour fill out the contact form below.
About the tour guide: Christine Hagemoen, a 4th generation Vancouverite, is a Mount Pleasant based historical researcher, writer, and photographer. She is the You Should Know columnist at Scout Magazine and has written for Photo Life and Geist magazine. Christine has led walking tours for the Vancouver Heritage Foundation and Heritage Vancouver. She recently published the first book in a series of walking tour guides titled Mount Pleasant Stories: Historical Walking Tours which won a 2023 City of Vancouver Heritage Award for Education and Awareness.
I respectfully acknowledge that these Mount Pleasant Stories walking tours take place on the traditional and unceded lands and waters of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Update: March 28, 2023 – Currently, all tours are full. Please feel free to contact me if you’d like to join a waiting list or if you’d like to be notified if other tour dates are added.
I’m happy to announce that I will be leading Mount Pleasant Stories history walks this spring (April & May). Tour groups will be kept small (maximum 8 participants) allowing for a more personal and flexible experience. These tours are for anyone who would like to learn about Mount Pleasant’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage in an active way.
Tours will be held on a Saturday or Sunday starting at 10 AM.Each tour will be around 2 to 2.5 hours. Participants must be comfortable walking 3 kms over a 2.5 hour period of time. The tour routes include a few alleys without sidewalks and some uneven surfaces. Tours take place rain or shine. Wear comfortable clothing & shoes. If rain is forecasted bring rain gear.
Tour 1: In the path of Brewery Creek
Doering & Marstrand Brewery Employees ca. 1892. Photo: CoV Archives, Dist P18; 1901 Fire Insurance Plan; Wallace -Stark House E 10th, ca. 1911. Photo: Salt Spring Archives. All colour photos: C.Hagemoen
Mount Pleasant is Vancouver’s first suburb and the only neighbourhood to develop along a creek. Brewery Creek once flowed down to False Creek, carving a ravine for itself through Mount Pleasant, crossing Main Street twice – at 14th Avenue and again at about 10th Avenue. Early settlers established industries – tanneries, slaughterhouses, and several breweries – along its ravine. That early growth was supported by the introduction of electric streetcar service in 1891. Many of the buildings from this streetcar era still exist. These older, human-scale buildings continue to provide housing, creative and commercial spaces for a wide variety of individuals, community groups and local businesses.
Starting at historic Heritage Hall, we’ll loosely follow the historic path of old Brewery Creek through Mount Pleasant’s heritage heart as it winds its way downstream towards False Creek. Along the way, we’ll discover the people and businesses that settled along its banks, including the historic breweries that gave Brewery Creek its name. In addition, we’ll explore quirky streets and alleys, discover historical and other interesting neighbourhood features, learn about the area’s built and natural history, and meet some of the interesting people who once made their homes and livelihoods in this neighbourhood. Conveniently, we’ll end the tour at one of Mount Pleasant’s breweries giving participants an opportunity to savour some of the neighbourhood’s liquid history, if they so choose.
Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours. Please note this tour is point-to-point and will not end up at the start location.
Meeting location – Heritage Hall at 10 AM. (please arrive a few minutes early for check in).
End location – TBA
Cost: $20 per person – tour capacity 8 people
Tour 1 dates: Saturday, April 8(Full !); Sunday, April 23 (almost full, 1 spot left!); Saturday, May 13(FULL); Sunday, May 28(almost full, 1 spot left!).
To reserve a space (or spaces) on this tour fill out the contact form below.
Federal Store, east 10th at Quebec. Photo: C. Hagemoen
Tour 2: Lower Mount Pleasant
W6th at Ontario, Laura’s Coffee Shop, and Mount Pleasant Hall. Photo: C. Hagemoen; 1913- NE Mount Pleasant. Photo: CoV Archives, PAN N161B; Children on the SE corner W4th at Yukon, 1938. Photo: Karel Haspel, CoV Archives, CVA 300-138; Italian family & friends on sidewalk, 1943, C.Hagemoen family archives.
Lower Mount Pleasant, the light-industrial, commercial, & residential area (north of Broadway, bounded by Cambie Street and Clark Drive), is often omitted when Mount Pleasant heritage is discussed. Though it is hard to tell today, this area was once primarily residential and home for a multi-cultural community of families and individuals. Many of them were new immigrants who came to work in the industries that operated along the south shore of False Creek. Others set up their own businesses, opened shops or restaurants, or provided services to the Mount Pleasant community. Small pockets of the original dwellings, buildings, and businesses still exist and serve as a tangible reminder of the varied history of this part of the community.
On this walk we’ll explore the surprisingly rich history of this area and learn the stories of some of the families, workers, legacy businesses, and social groups that once called this unique part of Mount Pleasant home.
Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours. Please note this tour is point-to-point and will not end up at the start location.
Meeting location – SW corner of Jonathan Rogers Park (W8th at Columbia) at 10 AM. (please arrive a few minutes early for check in).
End location – TBA
Cost: $20 per person – tour capacity 8 people
Tour 2 dates: Saturday, April 15 ( Full); Sunday,April 30; (Full) Saturday, May 20 (Full!).
To reserve a space (or spaces) on this tour fill out the contact form below.
30 W 6th, 1974. Photo: CoV Archives, CVA 1095-03484
About the tour guide: Christine Hagemoen, a 4th generation Vancouverite, is a Mount Pleasant based historical researcher, writer, and photographer. She is the You Should Know columnist at Scout Magazine and has written for Photo Life and Geist magazine. Christine has led walking tours for the Vancouver Heritage Foundation and Heritage Vancouver. She recently published the first book in a series of walking tour guides titled Mount Pleasant Stories: Historical Walking Tours.
I respectfully acknowledge that these Mount Pleasant Stories walking tours take place on the traditional and unceded lands and waters of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
It’s back! I has been 3 years since I published my last Local History Advent Calendar! So much has happened since that last time—including the publication of my first book, Mount Pleasant Stories—that I figured it was about time to dust off the Local History Advent Calendar once again. Similar to a regular advent calendar but instead of chocolate treats, each day you “open” a new historical treat. Think of them as holiday cocktail party fodder– 24 facts or stories about local history that can be used as conversation starters at your next social event.
Vancouver was home to Western Canada’s first Doll Hospital—during the time when we repaired broken items instead of just throwing them out and buying new.
George Coe was a partner in the pioneering chinaware and toy shop business, Millar & Coe founded in 1912. After selling out to his partner, Miller in 1925, Coe opened his “Dolls’ Hospital” at 195 East Hastings.
“Dr. Coe” with one of his patients. Province Newspaper, December 14, 1942
Coe’s foray into chief surgeon at his own Dolls’ Hospital started with a rather unconventional Christmas window idea for Millar & Coe described in this December 14, 1942 Province newspaper clipping:
Christmas time was an extremely brisk time. Dolls of in various states of “brokeness” would be “admitted” to Coe’s doll hospital.
The Province, Nov 12 1955 photo by Villy Svarre.
After Coe died in 1948, there was a void that needed to be filled. Enter, the Sirmuls and their Doll Hospital at 2241 Main Street. Mrs. Vera Sirmul, along with her husband, not only “cured” dolls but created new ones too. The Sirmuls once owned a doll factory in their native Latvia. When the Soviets took control of Latvia after WW2, their factory became “nationalized”. The Sirmuls escaped and came to Canada.
Like Coe, the Sirmul’s busiest time was during the Christmas season. The rush carried on into the spring “when the larger department stores [sent] in dozens of patients who became “sick” before their guarantee expired.”
The Doll Hospital made quite an impression on the children of Mount Pleasant in the 1950s. Several former residents recall the rather creepy sight of dismembered doll parts through the front window.
You can read more Mount Pleasant stories in my walking tour book, Mount Pleasant Stories. Copies are available for purchase in Mount Pleasant at Pulpfiction Books – 2422 Main Street and in Chinatown at Massy Books – 229 E Georgia St. It makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for your favourite local history buff!
It’s back! I has been 3 years since I published my last Local History Advent Calendar! So much has happened since that last time—including the publication of my first book, Mount Pleasant Stories—that I figured it was about time to dust off the Local History Advent Calendar once again. Similar to a regular advent calendar but instead of chocolate treats, each day you “open” a new historical treat. Think of them as holiday cocktail party fodder– 24 facts or stories about local history that can be used as conversation starters at your next social event.
William H. H. Johnson (1839-1905?) was an early Black settler in Mount Pleasant; who is notable for writing the first slave narrative published by a British Columbian. Johnson wrote –‘The Horrors of Slavery‘ (1901) and ‘The Life of Wm. H.H. Johnson from 1839-1900, and the New Race‘ (1904) – while living in Mount Pleasant.
Born in Indiana, Johnson was the son of a fugitive slave mother and a free father. During his youth, his family were “station masters”of the Underground Railroad in Indiana, helping Blacks escape to freedom in Canada. Fearing for their own safety, Johnson’s family ultimately fled to Ontario. Johnson writes, “I was born a slave in a free state, but was never one in practice; while we were very young my father brought his wife and children to Canada to prevent that.”
Johnson arrived in Vancouver with his wife Fannie in September 1890:
“Shortly after my arrival in this city I secured a location, on which to build a house, on 14th Avenue, Mount Pleasant which was then comparatively a wilderness, though in every other way a charming location. My wife was well pleased with the change, especially as regards the climate, the winters here being much milder than in Ontario. We found the people in Vancouver very friendly, and in fact I cannot say that I have ever lived among a more sociable set than in this city… After clearing a couple of lots I erected a shop and started the manufacture of varnish.” – The Life of Wm. H.H. Johnson from 1839-1900, and the New Race (1904)
1896 Vancouver City Directory listing for William H H Johnson, varnish makerPortion of Goads 1897 (revised to 1901) Fire Insurance Plan showing Johnson’s Varnish Works.
After Johnson’s wife Fannie died in 1897, he invited Henry Harvey, an expressman for the CPR, and his wife Pheby to live with him in his house on East 14th. Also living with Johnson, for a time, are Caribbean-born varnish maker Charles R. Greenway and his wife Florence.
Mysteriously, William H.H. Johnson disappears from all records by 1905; it is believed that he died that year.
You can read this and other Mount Pleasant stories in my walking tour book, Mount Pleasant Stories. Copies are available for purchase in Mount Pleasant at Pulpfiction Books – 2422 Main Street and in Chinatown at Massy Books – 229 E Georgia St. It makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for your favourite local history buff!
It’s back! I has been 3 years since I published my last Local History Advent Calendar! So much has happened since that last time—including the publication of my first book, Mount Pleasant Stories—that I figured it was about time to dust off the Local History Advent Calendar once again. Similar to a regular advent calendar but instead of chocolate treats, each day you “open” a new historical treat. Think of them as holiday cocktail party fodder– 24 facts or stories about local history that can be used as conversation starters at your next social event.
The Native Education College’s impressive structure, based on traditional Coast Salish architecture, serves as a tangible reminder that Indigenous people are the first people of these lands.
NEC building in background. Granite History marker SE corner 5th and Scotia. Photo: C.Hagemoen
Established in 1967, the Native Education Centre (NEC), now the Native Education College, began as a project to meet the educational needs of Vancouver’s growing urban Indigenous population and to provide “Indigenous learners with the academic and life skills to secure employment and improve their quality of life”. The College was established under the leadership and direction of Ray Collins from the Department of Indian Affairs and local Indigenous leaders like Gertrude Guerin. In 1979, the NEC became a private post-secondary college operated and controlled by BC First Nations.
The college’s purpose-built campus opened in 1985 at East 5th and Scotia. Prior to the construction of the campus 285 East 5th, the NEC was operating out of a small space at 224 West Broadway. The NEC’s post-and-beam longhouse was designed by Vancouver architect Larry McFarland, assisted by building designer Malcom McSporran. The building’s largest beams are made from first growth Douglas Fir.
Raising the pole, 1985, courtesy Native Education College.
The 42-foot totem pole on the east side of the building was carved by renowned Nisga’a master carver Norman Tait (1941-2016). Named Wil Sayt Bakwhlgat, which means “the place where the people gather”, Tait designed the pole to illustrate a Nisga’a myth about the origin of forest, water, and sky animals. The totem pole’s traditional doorway carved into the base serves as the longhouse’s ceremonial entrance.
The NEC celebrated its 55th anniversary this year.
NEC pole in 2022. Photo: C. Hagemoen
You can read this and other Mount Pleasant stories in my walking tour book, Mount Pleasant Stories. Copies are available for purchase in Mount Pleasant at Pulpfiction Books – 2422 Main Street and in Chinatown at Massy Books – 229 E Georgia St. It makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for your favourite local history buff!
It’s back! I has been 3 years since I published my last Local History Advent Calendar! So much has happened since that last time—including the publication of my first book, Mount Pleasant Stories—that I figured it was about time to dust off the Local History Advent Calendar once again. Similar to a regular advent calendar but instead of chocolate treats, each day you “open” a new historical treat. Think of them as holiday cocktail party fodder– 24 facts or stories about local history that can be used as conversation starters at your next social event.
Brewery Creek Cairn with Brewery Creek Building in background. Photo: C. Hagemoen
A rare existing example of an industrial building from Mount Pleasant’s past, this circa 1904 stone and brick structure was originally built as part of an expansion of Vancouver Breweries Ltd. operations.
A building permit was issued to the brewery in October 1903 for an $8,000 brick and stone building to be erected on the corner of Scotia Street & East 6th Avenue. Daily Province newspaper articles from 1903 reveal that the new two-storey building featured a bottle-washing room equipped with automatic electric machinery and was constructed for use as a storage cellar for ageing ale.
Detail of 1956 Fire Insurance Plan Vol. 3, sheet 341
After the building ceased its brewery function it became the home to a variety of businesses over the next several decades including: confectioner Benjamin F. Fell’s Candy Factory (you can still see the hand painted Fell’s Candy Factory sign on the East 6th Avenue facade), Purity Dairy, Vancouver Creamery, Canada Grease Works, and a stucco manufacturing plant to make bottle-dash stucco. The building was converted into artist live-work spaces in 1993.
The building in 1978 before renovations. Photo: CoV Archives, CVA 791-0113.
In 1998, a TV “docu-soap” called Brewery Creek , which followed the lives of residents of the Brewery Creek condos for two months, including one time resident, singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan aired on CBC.
You can read this and other Mount Pleasant stories in my walking tour book, Mount Pleasant Stories. Copies are available for purchase in Mount Pleasant at Pulpfiction Books – 2422 Main Street and in Chinatown at Massy Books – 229 E Georgia St. It makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for your favourite local history buff!
It’s back! I has been 3 years since I published my last Local History Advent Calendar! So much has happened since that last time—including the publication of my first book, Mount Pleasant Stories—that I figured it was about time to dust off the Local History Advent Calendar once again. Similar to a regular advent calendar but instead of chocolate treats, each day you “open” a new historical treat. Think of them as holiday cocktail party fodder– 24 facts or stories about local history that can be used as conversation starters at your next social event.
The Mason Block under construction in 1907. Photo: COV Archives, Dist P142
The Mason Block (2603 Main Street), named for owner W.H. Mason, was built from 1906 to 1907 and is an early example of mixed-use architecture. A building permit for the property was issued in 1906 for “cement stores and dwellings” at a cost of $10,000. Like the Hanna Block (Day 1, LHAC) it is constructed of reinforced concrete and cast concrete blocks, one of the first in the city. The Mason Block was built over the Brewery Creek ravine just like the Wenonah Building at 11th and Main was. In addition to the ground floor commercial space with apartments above, the building includes three 2-storey townhouses along 10th Avenue, all with private front and rear entrances – probably the city’s first set of concrete condominiums.
Mason Block in 1992. Mount Pleasant Credit Union is located on corner. Photo: CoV Archives CVA 332-27
During the construction of the Mason Block there was a terrible accident that resulted in the death of one of the construction workers. In November 1906, carpenter Edward W. Walsh was nailing a board beneath some scaffolding holding two men when it suddenly gave way, crushing Walsh beneath it. When he was extracted from the debris it was discovered he had broken his back, Walsh died later that day in hospital. Ed and Elizabeth Walsh, along with their children, had only recently moved to Mount Pleasant, residing at 2724 Westminster Avenue (Main Street). One of the men on the scaffolding was building owner W H. Mason. He suffered only minor injuries.
Mason Block housing along E 10th. Photo: C. Hagemoen
You can find more Mount Pleasant stories in my walking tour book, Mount Pleasant Stories. Copies are available for purchase in Mount Pleasant at Pulpfiction Books – 2422 Main Street and in Chinatown at Massy Books – 229 E Georgia St. It makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for your favourite local history buff!
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