Commercial Drive or “The Drive” is a street and neighbourhood in Vancouver’s east end, with its most prominent area running roughly 20 blocks. The neighbourhood is an eclectic mix of restaurants, shops, bars, and cafés. It is also the city of Vancouver’s designated Little Italy, representing more than 60 years of Italian heritage.
In this archive, you will find photos of the street, its buildings and stores, restaurants, bars, the cars and the people from the various time periods.
Please visit the Vancouver Archives to find more amazing old photographs from the city’s past.
1908 – Buffalo Grocery, 14th Avenue and Park [Commercial] Drive1914 – Men erecting power pole at Commercial Drive and Eleventh Avenue1918 – Crowds gather after a streetcar was derailed by the No. 11 V.F.D. hosewagon at 12th Avenue and Commercial Drive1918 – A streetcar derailed after being hit by the No. 11 V.F.D. hosewagon at 12th Avenue and Commercial Drive1920 – Employees in front of Duke’s Grocery [1588] Commercial Drive1920 – Window display, Duke’s Grocery1924 – Kingsway at Commercial Drive, Natal Garage, pre improvement1927 – View looking north along Commercial Drive at 2nd Avenue from an apartment on the southwest corner1934 – Crystal Dairy Fleet [at 1803 Commercial Drive]1940-1948 – Grandview Highway bus outside the Bus Stop Coffee Shop
1946 – Exterior [of] Crystal Dairy Building [at 1803 Commercial Drive]1946 – Vernon Motors [at] 3rd Avenue and Commercial Drive1951 – Old Grandview School [First Avenue East and Commercial Drive]
The unsolved murder case of Janet Smith has been a favourite of true crime lovers for decades, and rightfully so. It’s a dramatic story of shoddy police work, corrupt politicians, and even the Ku Klux […]
Riopelle: Crossroads in Time is a retrospective exhibition covering 50 years of the artist’s career. Organized by the National Gallery of Canada to mark the centenary celebration of his birth, the exhibition features approximately 100 […]
The history of botanical gardens in Vancouver reflects the region’s deep connection to nature and plant science. One of the earliest efforts in botanical cultivation in all of Canada began at Essondale (now Riverview Hospital) […]
![1908 - Buffalo Grocery, 14th Avenue and Park [Commercial] Drive](https://vancouverguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1908-Buffalo-Grocery-14th-Avenue-and-Park-Commercial-Drive.jpg)
![1920 - Employees in front of Duke's Grocery [1588] Commercial Drive](https://vancouverguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1920-Employees-in-front-of-Dukes-Grocery-1588-Commercial-Drive.jpg)
![1934 - Crystal Dairy Fleet [at 1803 Commercial Drive]](https://vancouverguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1934-Crystal-Dairy-Fleet-at-1803-Commercial-Drive.jpg)
![1946 - Exterior [of] Crystal Dairy Building [at 1803 Commercial Drive]](https://vancouverguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1946-Exterior-of-Crystal-Dairy-Building-at-1803-Commercial-Drive.jpg)
![1946 - Vernon Motors [at] 3rd Avenue and Commercial Drive](https://vancouverguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1946-Vernon-Motors-at-3rd-Avenue-and-Commercial-Drive.jpg)
![1978 - Esso Garage [Imperial], corner Venables Street and Commercial Drive](https://vancouverguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1978-Esso-Garage-Imperial-corner-Venables-Street-and-Commercial-Drive.jpg)
![1978 1801 Commercial Drive, Int[ernational] Tile Work](https://vancouverguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1978-1801-Commercial-Drive-International-Tile-Work.jpg)
