Today In Vancouver History: New Westminster Fire
🔥🏢 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 🏢🔥
You may know the Great Fire that leveled Gastown in 1886, but did you know about the New West fire?
On September 11, 1898, flames ravaged through New Westminster, leaving a trail of destruction that obliterated much of the downtown area. This catastrophic fire tested the spirit and resolve of the community, as residents faced the daunting task of rebuilding from the ashes.
Unearth the dramatic tales and resilience of Vancouver’s past with Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours. Step back in time and explore the history that shaped our city! 🕵️♂️🚶♀️
https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/3ozdjr7wbl
📷 With Thanks to City of Vancouver Archives (photos colourized)
#NewWestminsterFire #VancouverHistory #ForbiddenVancouver
The Vancouver Vice Walking Tour Event
Walk alongside the expert himself Vancouver Vice as he shares gripping stories of unsolved murder, vigilant vice cops, sex worker turf wars, gambling dens, and wiretapped hustlers in a neighbourhood on the brink of change.
Known for his award-winning books “Vancouver After Dark” and “The Last Gang in Town,” Aaron’s latest work has been nominated for the best true crime book of the year. Step inside a world where Vancouver’s vices ruled… but at what cost?
Book now! https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/7cmamqjiv8
𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
⏲️Sept 27 3PM & 7PM (Sept 28 sold out)
⏱️1.5 to 2 hours
💰$33 per person
📍West End, Vancouver
Vancouver Prohibition Tour
🍺𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝟯𝟬 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀!
Follow along as Lenard leads the way on a sunny day tour through Gastown's Gastown prohibition era. Stroll through Vancouver's most historic neighbourhood, where rum-runners, mobsters, and crooked politicians ruled.
Reserve your spot today. https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/i9n4bjbmtw
Hot Tip: Guests of the Forbidden Tour get a VIP gift from a local speakeasy Arcana Food + Spirits! Say hi to Zoltar for us (IYKYK).
𝑽𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤
The final installment in 𝑽𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 series is 🏢𝟏𝟕𝟓 𝐖 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐯𝐚🏢, built as part of a project that never happened.
Did you like our Worst Buildings series? Let us know what you'd like to see for our next series!
@mygastown
𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Waterfront Station
It may be beautiful, but does it do its job? 🏛️𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧🚆 takes Will's 3rd spot in the 𝑽𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 series.
Vancouver's Worst Buildings: TD Tower
𝑽𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 next installment features the 🏢𝗧𝗗 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿⬛.
Forbidden Founder and architecture aficionado Will verbally obliterates the "Dark Tower" 🖤
If you missed the first installment, check out our latest video and follow along as we continue our series!
#vancouversworstbuildings
Vancouver's Worst Buildings: The Law Courts
Introducing 𝑽𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔!
Follow along as Forbidden's founder and architecture aficionado Will Woods gives his hot take on ⚖️The Law Courts 👩⚖️.
#vancouversworstbuildings
Architecture, Corruption, and Politics on the Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour in Vancouver
Architecture, corruption, and politics... Curious? Join us on the Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour! Touring daily in June.
https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/ee9bsxqs8k
Art Deco Architecture and the Guinness Family: The Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour
Want to know what Art Deco masterpiece the Marine Building, the Lions Gate Bridge, and a pint of Guinness all have in common? Book your Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour today! Now touring daily.https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/wjgq6t1yjc
Vancouver Pride Month Must-Do: The Really Gay History Tour
🏳️🌈We're so excited for June that we've doubled our public Really Gay History Tours and opened up lots of spots for Private Tours, too!
Hear stories of the heroes and trailblazers who forever changed the social fabric of our city. Glenn shines a light on the hidden stories of transgender crime fighters and two spirit warriors, drag kings and queer church ministers.
Tours will fill up soon: reserve your spot today!
https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/lxvzdlnmbq
What Happened To This Luxury Hotel: The Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour in Vancouver
A luxurious five hundred room Vancouver hotel with marble counters and panoramic views, covered in huge ornate sculptures of Canadian wildlife. What happened to it? Find out on the Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour.
Tours run daily!
Book your Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour today!
https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/7dwrqvusnm
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Chinese Canadian Museum Vancouver: Asian Heritage Month
Explore the Chinese Canadian Museum for Asian Heritage Month! Chinese Canadian Museum
Join Sasha as she dives into the captivating interactive exhibits at the Chinese Canadian Museum, housed in the oldest heritage structure in Chinatown. The Wing Sang Building was built in 1889 and was home to the Yip Sang and his large family, as well as his business.
"The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act," provides a profound look into a pivotal moment in history when Chinese immigrants faced severe restrictions in Canada.
Make sure to check out the historic school room and living room, where you can play music on the phonograph, pick up the rotary phone to hear memories of life in the Wing Sang building, and read letters.
Hot tip: You can catch a complimentary full museum tour with admission, just ask the friendly team.
Visit the museum to amplify Chinese Canadian voices. https://chinesecanadianmuseum.pulse.ly/lbuq4iqk0e
May Long Weekend Outing with Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours
This May Long Weekend, take a memorable stroll into Vancouver's secret past. Award-winning tours loved by locals and visitors alike.
Book your May Long tour now! https://forbiddenvancouver.ca/
Vancouver Easter & Spring Break History Tour
Our Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour is about three things: exploring the city's secret past, discovering must-see heritage buildings, and yes, munching on delicious chocolates and baked delights from top-rated local spots like Mink Chocolate.
You'll hear the tale of the architect murdered in a jealous rage, meet the most beautiful woman in the world, find out which Vancouver mayor hung out with mobsters, and discover the 1910s music hall star who gave perhaps the most shocking performance in our city's history.
Plus, this walking tour even includes a private viewing inside opulent Art Deco masterpiece, the Marine Building.
So grab your friends and family and book your spot, and get ready for a sweet adventure!
TOUR DETAILS:
Weekends 11 AM + 11 AM & 2 PM Easter Weekend (Mar 29 to Apr 1) | $69 Adults / $64 Youth & Seniors | ~ 2 Hours
https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/jprqgwfwlg
Join us at our Next Secrets of the Penthouse Event on March 13th! Step behind the scenes of Vancouver’s most notorious venue with club owner Danny Filippone and friends. Get ready for tales of vice squad busts, mobsters, Rat Pack shindigs, and more!
🎷🍝 Book now for a night you won't forget!
https://forbiddenvancouver.pulse.ly/kslarbw0r3 #VancouverHeritage
Black History Month: Spotlight on Emery Barnes
You may have heard of Emery Barnes Park, but who was Emery Barnes? A real legend in Vancouver! He went from pro football star to a powerful BC politician, showing true grit, passion, and love for his community.
Born in Louisiana on December 15, 1929, Emery rocked the football field with the BC Lions. After hanging up his cleats in '64, he dived into social work at the John Howard Society, helping folks transition back into society after prison.
His social work set the stage for his political journey, where he fought for the underdogs. Elected to the BC Legislative Assembly in '72, Barnes dedicated two decades to serving Vancouver, fighting for social justice and equality.
Barnes became the first Black Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. He reshaped Vancouver's housing scene, pushing for affordable housing and inclusivity.
Even after he passed in '98, Emery's legacy lives on. Just take a stroll in Emery Barnes Park and feel his dream of a fair society. His spirit drives us to keep fighting for social justice.
Emery Barnes wasn't just a politico or jock; he was a voice for the voiceless, a beacon of light, a true hero who made Vancouver a more inclusive place. Here's to you, Emery Barnes!
Learn more about Emery Barnes here https://bcblackhistory.pulse.ly/bd2amyozgr
Joe Fortes: Vancouver Legend
Black History Month: Spotlight on Joe Fortes
Did you know that Seraphim “Joe” Fortes, the famous English Bay lifeguard, arrived in Vancouver before the Great Fire of 1886?
Joe was a sailor on board the brigantine Robert Kerr, which arrived in Vancouver (then called Granville) in 1885. One of his early jobs was as a barman. He tended bar at the Alhambra Hotel and the Sunnyside Hotel, two former saloons we now feature in our Lost Souls of Gastown tour.
Later, Joe made a name for himself as a lifeguard, saving at least thirty lives at English Bay. He lived until 1922. Not only did he see so many changes during his 36 years in Vancouver, he truly was part of the change himself. Joe Fortes brought order and joy to one of our most popular beaches and taught three generations of children how to swim. You can read more about Joe and other important Black citizens of BC at https://bcblackhistory.pulse.ly/7xwe3nogj1
[photos courtesy of the Vancouver city archives]
A Pet? Just Bear-ly!
By 1909 you could catch a streetcar to Kitsilano, but it was still far from the upscale residential neighbourhood of today. Just over a century ago the area was full of active logging, but a few hardy souls had already started building houses there. James Quiney, an enterprising real estate developer, even had a rather unusual pet: a bear cub! Even though this was far before the age of social media, Quiney did take photos of the cub, and even let his toddler and their dog play with it! There’s no record of what his wife thought about this…
[Photos from the City of Vancouver Archives]
The Vancouver Block by Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours
🕰️ Step back in time with the iconic Vancouver Block! 🏛️ Since 1912, this Edwardian Commercial building has been an integral part of Vancouver's skyline. Commissioned by the wealthy Dominic Burns and designed by the prolific firm Parr & Fee, this 15-storey structure has stood witness to over a century of the city's history.
The crowning jewel? Its magnificent clock tower! Illuminated and visible from all four sides, it's not just a way to tell time - it's a symbol of Vancouver's enduring spirit. Did you know that this clock was the first in Vancouver to be lit up by neon illumination?
From its early days as the highest point of land in downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver Block has remained a constant amidst the city's rapid growth and change. It's not just a building, but a testament to the Edwardian optimism and economic expansion that shaped Vancouver's urban fabric.
Today, the Vancouver Block continues to serve as a retail and commercial hub, its spaces buzzing with activity just as they did over a century ago. And let's not forget its cinematic fame - it's been a filming location for movies like Malone (1987) and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)! 🎥
Here's to the Vancouver Block - a beacon of Vancouver's past, present, and future. 🌟 #VancouverBlock #HistoricVancouver #TimelessLandmark
CVA Bu P502.1, CVA 70-17, CVA 677-7,CVA 70-11, CVA 225-2, CVA 791-0848, CVA 359-02
