Old Photographs of Boats in Vancouver and BC from 1890-1920

January 20, 2022 admin History, The City

After browsing the Vancouver archives for our previous history post on Old Photographs of Cars in Vancouver from 1900-1920, I thought I would do a similar post with boats. As there were so many amazing images dating back to the 1800s, I once again will be splitting them up, with the first instalment of images dating up until 1920.

1920-Path toward a dock with a boat tied up

As a coastal city, boats have always been a part of life in Vancouver. It is wonderful that we have these historical archives to showcase what life was like centuries ago on the west coast. It always amazes me how dressed up people were back then to do the most mundane things, let alone go boating. Boating attire for me would probably be rubber Native shoes a swimsuit and a t-shirt, yet these people at the turn of the 20th century are out here in 3 piece suits and ball gowns.

1893-picnic group on the boat Burt. Inscribed on the verso lists the boat going from Vancouver to Bowen Island [but likely instead be at Gibson's Landing] — 1893-picnic group on the boat Burt. Inscribed on the verso lists the boat going from Vancouver to Bowen Island [but likely instead be at Gibson’s Landing]

It is also interesting to see the surrounding landscapes and how they have been formed or been left the same over the years. Waterfronts, industry and natural landscapes have all been modified over the years to accommodate a developing nation.

What observations can you make from these images? Let us know on social media what you discover.