Vancouver is a young city, in fact it is one of the youngest major cities in North America. Founded in 1886, originally it was to play second fiddle to New Westminster which grew rapidly thanks to the Fraser Gold Rush of 1858. Even the towns of Nelson and Barkerville rivaled or outshone Vancouver early on. But after the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 Vancouver’s importance as a Pacific deep water port grew rapidly and steadily. In fact Vancouver has the largest port in Canada and 4th largest on the continent!
This and other amazing photos of Vancouver can be found at http://flickriver.com/photos/tags/coalharbour/interesting/ Photo by BlackBird
This port is adjacent to the DTES, Gastown, Strathcona, and the Hastings-Sunrise areas of the inner-city and is connected to them and the rest of North America by the very same railway system that enabled Vancouver to become the booming port city that it is today. This railway (The Canadian Pacific Railway) was also instrumental in enabling the creation of the Canadian federal system itself. It was a key pillar of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald’s National Policy and therefore the major catalyst in BC joining confederation. These same neighbourhoods that the old CPR rails meander through are the original core of Vancouver which the city grew around (After it burned to the ground June 13th 1886 and was promptly rebuilt of course). But the CPR is not the only set of rails that played an important part in the development of our city.
For many years Vancouver was a streetcar city, with workers connected to their neighbourhoods and the downtown core by charming trams (you know, like in San Francisco!). Here’s a map from 1940 showing both the interurban and streetcar routes that connected, Strathcona, Mt. Pleasant, Commercial Drive, South Granville, Kerrisdale and the various other neighbourhoods throughout the city. In fact, Vancouver may bring back streetcars as there are many today advocating for increased transit options in the region. These streetcars have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in Europe for being cost effective, while Toronto has also enjoyed its extensive streetcar system for years.
Vancouver is an open minded, progressive and tolerant city (but you already knew that!) What you might not know is that we also have the highest percentage of mixed race marriages in Canada! (8.5%) Which no doubt makes for some creative, colourful and extremely delicious weddings. As a matter of fact, on the topic of food…
Did you know that Vancouver has its own Food Charter? In the words of the Vancouver Food Charter:
“The Vancouver Food Charter presents a vision for a food system which benefits our community and the environment. It sets out the City of Vancouver’s commitment to the development of a coordinated municipal food policy, and animates our community’s engagement and participation in conversations and actions related to food security in Vancouver.”
Included in this vision is a just and sustainable food system that:
• contributes to the economic, ecological, and social well-being of our city and region;
• encourages personal, business and government food practices that foster local production and protect our natural and human resources;
• recognizes access to safe, sufficient, culturally appropriate and nutritious food as a basic human right for all Vancouver residents;
• reflects the dialogue between the community, government, and all sectors of the food system;
• celebrates Vancouver’s multicultural food traditions.
For an example of the kinds of urban farming initiatives that this charter supports visit SOLEfood Urban Farm in the heart of the Downtown Eastside. Online or in person.
Photo of nightmarket from http://vancouverisawesome.com/2009/06/19/vancouvers-night-market/
Or check out the Chinatown Night Market. There’s lots of amazing food scenting the air during the night market. Vancouver’s Chinatown is actually the second largest Chinatown in North America (after San Francisco) and what’s more it’s nowhere near as steep and hilly as SFs! There are some amazing restaurants in this neighbourhood too!
Well, those only a few fascinating fun facts that help to make this city one of the greatest places in the world to live. If you have any fun facts feel free to add them in the comment section.
