Banks, Trains and Fish

As I was walking home today I crossed the Grandview Viaduct, which was built in 1937 and is still seems to be safe, when I happened to look north to a breathtaking sight.

I don't think that an artist could paint a better silhouette of these mountains. It really made me stop and look and realize how beautiful this area really is.

Today I ventured down to Gastown again. This time my goal was to focus on The Station but on the way there I happened across this little treasure.

I was distracted by the flames burning brightly outside 131 Water Social House. Like a moth I was drawn to it and just wanted to watch the dancing light. One of the restaurant's partners had come outside and we had a great conversation. The menu looks scrumptous with items like poutine, steak salad, grilled bacon and cheese sandwiches. The prices are reasonable and I hope to go there soon.

Finally The Station came into view.

The site where The Station is on has been an important landmark since the completion of the railway in 1886.  The building that is there now is actually the third one on that property  and was built in 1912 to 1914. The Neo-Classical structure was designed by architects Barott, Blackader and Webster.

Behind those columns is a lobby that is astonishing. Unfortunately most of my photos didn't turn out but here is what I have.

These few shots I did get though can give you an idea of the opulence inside.

Hawthorn, Mansfield, Towers Architects redesigned the interior in 1978 renovating the space into offices, shops and a Seabus terminal.

Now back outside.

Doesn't this monument make you stop and look? It does me. It was erected in honor of the men of the Canadian Pacific Railway who served in both World Wars, who left everything in their lives to fight for our freedom and died as a result. It bring tears to my eyes just to write this.

From the parking lot I snapped these photos. The sails you see are not on a sea going vessel but rather Canada Place - another site to cover one day. An interesting fact I just learned from the Canada Place website - something that has nothing at all to do with this post but I wanted to tell you - the reason that Canadian beer tastes different from American beer is that Canadians use more malt barley while Americans use more corn. Now aren't you glad I told you that?

More photos from the parking lot. If you look you can see the top of the Seabus coming in. A very convenient and speedy way to get from North Vancouver to Vancouver.

I walked from Gastown through Strathcona and strolled along Main Street. There I found this jewel.

At the corner of Main and Prior is a Bank of Montreal building that was built in the Roaring Twenties, are towards the end in 1929. Architects Honeyman and Curtis, designed many prominent public buildings. This one was designed in a Classical Revival style with a main entry framed by Corinthian pilasters.

There was a sale of sample clothing going on inside so I didn't venture in to take photos. Even though it features a coffered beamed ceiling, detailed plaster work as well as terrazo and black granite flooring. The exterior is faced with fine grained sandstone from Haddington Island, an island which is off the north east coast of Vancouver Island.

In 2005 the building was rehabilitated and developed into a residential and commercial property.

One thing I forgot to show from Gastown.

This fountain is at the corner of Water and Abbott Streets in Gastown. It was created by sculptor Sam Carter in 1987 after being commissioned by the Leshgold Family. The fish fountain is a memorial to the late Samuel Leshgold who loved salmon fishing.

Made of bronze and Quadra Island granite this fountain is a popular water spot for humans and horses alike.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

TAGS:Vancouver, Karen Magill, The Station, 131 Water Social House,Bank of Montreal,Canadian Pacific Railway,walk,history,

Wandering down Hastings

I have let you know a bit about Hastings Street yet I haven't even scratched the surface. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Hastings Street stretches a long way! And there is a fair amount of history connected to this thoroughfare.

This W rested atop the Woodwards retail building. It was installed in 1944 as a replacement for the pre-war searchlight beacon that had been there before.  Built in 1903 this was the premiere shopping destination for Vancouverites. Woodwards was famous for the W, its windows at Christmas time and the food floor in the basement. For ninety years residents were able to visit, shop and have memories made.

The building became vacant in 1993. Many ideas on what to do with the large space were proposed but nothing became definite. In 2006 the building was imploded - all but the original 1903 structure seen here - and the transformation began. Now this 1903-1908 heavy timber building is united with modern sky scraping units. It holds expensive condos mixed with social housing units.

Aren't those piggies cute?This is Save-On-Meats. The store opened in 1957 and closed in 2009. It was run that entire time by the same man. And although the butcher side of the business is closed Chan's Food Market and the Coffee Shop are apparently still open.

I like the way the metal shutters have been painted - and that they are not covered graffiti - so the place doesn't look shuttered and closed. According to a May article in scoutmagazine.ca someone has leased the building where Save-On Meats resides and was supposed to open in July. 

I took a little detour and walked a couple of blocks south on Granville. This is the Rogers Building built in 1911. Look at the detail on it.

The Rogers Building was named for Jonathon Roger who was a young immigrant from Wales. He also happened to be the first person to step off the first train to arrive in the newly formed Vancouver in 1887. His beginnings were rather simple - he was a painter. But he went on to become a contractor, builder, alderman, chairman of the city park board, president of the board of trade. Rumor has it that Rogers is responsible for over 1000 feet of buildings on Granville Street. When he stepped off that train and the Vancouver City Band began to play See The Conquering Hero Comes, Rogers thought it was for him. Maybe not that time but in years to come he probably had numerous tributes.

Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant on Hastings. When I was in my young teen years we went up and had lunch at this restaurant. If you want a view of Vancouver like none other then go here. If you aren't hungry you can go to the observation deck and just see the city. I can see that building from most places when I walk.

Sinclair Shopping Centre. This is an upscale shopping mall that is actually comprised for four different buildings that were restored. One of the buildings used to be the main post office for Vancouver from 1910 until 1958.

If you walk along the walkway beside the centre you will come to an office building at 200 Granville Street. It houses the Province and the Vancouver Sun newspapers. But I was more interested in the open area that looks out over the water.

Here you see a Seabus coming over from North Vancouver - it is a very short trip for those who want to avoid traffic.

There is the City of North Vancouver. Moodyville, now Moodyville Park, is the oldest settlement on Burrard Inlet. It even predates Vancouver. Logging the Douglas Fir of the area brought a water powered sawmill, built by Sewell Moody, and other amenities popped up soon after.

The ever present cranes for the Port of Vancouver. I saw a special on the Port on television and was astounded at what they do in a day. It is mind boggling to realize how much work it takes to keep that part of the city's prosperity running smoothly.

Just as a teaser, because there is so much to write on this, I am showing you a couple of pictures of the Station. There is a lot of pictures to take of this place - inside and out - and more history to relate. So I will save that for another day.

But before I say goodbye for the day I passed this woman standing on a stoop of a building on East Hastings. She was kind enough to let me take her photo so I want to thank her again. It is good to see people who are doing what they love.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

TAGS:Vancouver, Karen Magill, Hastings Street, Rogers Building,Sinclair Centre,The Station,Walk,history,Granville Street