The High Drive

In 2002, there were by-law officers who ticketed any establishments that hosted dancing to live music - they were called the 'dancing police' and the merchants whose patrons to the music were understandably upset.

I don't know the reasoning for this but perhaps it has something to do with the noise by-law. I do know that the theme music to 'Footloose' is running through my head right now and I am seeing Kevin Bacon dancing on the drive!

The Drive gained national attention in late 2004 when the media complained several cafes were openly selling marijuana.

On  September 9, 2004,  one such cafe - Da Kine - was raided. The owner, Carol Gwilt, was arrested and sent to jail.

Da Kine Cafe opened in May of 2004, selling cannabis and hash to anyone who signed a form to join. (I read one report that said Gwilt only sold a small amount of pot to those over 19.) Carol ran her business with the help of volunteers and other activists. It was a public shop, reputable and neighbouring business claimed the Da Kine Cafe was an asset to them.

However, the B.C. Solicitor General was known to be opposed to cannabis and anti-prohibition demonstrations. It is surmised that, in an effort to please American law enforcement agencies, the Solicitor General called for unnecessary force to raid the cafe.

Gwilt was sentenced to 15 months in prison but was released on parole after six.

I think that Carol Gwilt may have just been a bit ahead of her time. Now there are medical marijuana clinics open on The Drive and I read one report in which a former solicitor general states that pot will probably be legal in the next five years.

In the past, I have covered a few of the festivals held on The Drive. Events like Car-Free Days, Italian Day and other activities bring the rest of the city - and many others - to our little neck of the woods.  Sometimes The Drive can be a lot of fun.

When I first moved here, I was told by someone a person could have a meal from every continent in one block on the Drive. I don't know if it is that easy but close!

Thanks to Wikipedia for the information on The Drive and to Cannabis Culture Marijuana Magazine for the information on Carol Gwilt.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

Jonathan Rogers

I left off on Monday telling you about a building that Jonathan Rogers built on Hastings street. Four years after the construction, the Klondike Gold Rush started, thus ensuring Vancouver's growth. Rogers hired architects Parr and Fee to add a second half to the building. The addition is almost identical to the original except the windows are slightly different.

Remember how I told you that Jonathan Rogers would be unhappy with how the building is used today? Rogers was the main organizer in 1916 of the People's Prohibition Association in Vancouver and they successfully brought prohibition to the province. Roger's Block is now home to Marc Emery's Cannabis Culture Headquarters and the Amsterdam Cafe.

In 1898, Rogers acquired more land on Hastings Street and built the second Rogers Block. In 1903, he built the Royal Bank of Canada building on the adjacent corner lot to the east. This was one of the first buildings in Vancouver to use reinforced concrete. For this building, the reinforced concrete was used for the foundation and the vaults and was over a half a metre thick.

Rogers had been just as innovative in the construction of his building in 1898. Then he had erected a giant umbrella over the entire site to ensure the building would be completed by spring.

A 1931 photo taken by Frank Leonard. Looking south on Granville and you can see the top of the Rogers building.

1911 photo.Looking north from south of Dunsmuir. Bank of Montreal, centre right. Rogers Building under construction in background with CPR depot beyond.

1943. East side of the 500 block of Granville Street - Rogers Building - Bank of Montreal - Eaton's Department Store, 526 Granville Street - Fee Block, 570 Granville Street.

Jonathan continued as a contractor and builder and was soon involved in building all sorts of structures. He was responsible for office buildings, banks, hotels, manufacturing plants and even an electricity-generating station. 

In 1901, census records list the 35-year-old Jonathan Rogers as a lodger in a suite of rooms on Homer Street. His occupation is listed as painter and decorator. But a year later, Rogers took a wife. He married a young woman from Oswestry, near his ancestral home in Wales. Jonathan and Elisabeth moved into a large, elegant home at 2050 Nelson Street. They named the home Argoed which is Welsh for beside the wood. 

I would like to thank the Building Vancouver blog for the information and the Vancouver Public Library archives for the older photos.

I hope you find the beauty around you.