This gave me a start one morning. I opened my curtains and, not quite awake, it looked like a man covered in blood was standing behind the dumpster.
On August 26, 1947, the war, World War II, was over. “After the Canadian army had vacated most of Ferguson Point, where a gun battery and camp had been located in 1938-45,” military historian Peter Moogk writes, “someone thought that the former officers' mess there would make a splendid home for the commander of the military district. So it was converted to serve this purpose.”
But the residents of Vancouver wanted the use of Stanley Park back, including unrestricted use of Ferguson Point. Now, the park is federal land, leased to the city but Commander Brigadier E.C. Plow left. Newspapers at the time said he was evicted but not according to Professor Moogk. The house has now been converted to a restaurant.
The Vancouver Sun reported on September 13, that 18,500 auto mobiles were driven into downtown Vancouver everyday. More would come if there were more parking spaces available. The survey said that 6,000 of those cars had drivers who were going to work while the other 12,500 were for other matters such as shopping, making business and sales calls.
A headline in the Vancouver Province newspaper October 10: BIGGER HASTINGS TRACK - GIANT DIPPER DOOMED
“The Happyland Giant Dipper will be torn down to make way for a new 5 1/2 furlong racetrack costing $200,000, to be built at Hastings Park in time for the races next summer. The announcement was made today by Mackenzie Bowell, president of the Pacific National Exhibition. The present track is a half-mile affair (four furlongs). The new track will be pear-shaped.. Estimated at $200,000 at present costs, the price of the new track may rise before it is completed . . . McGill street will be re-routed immediately north of the present race track and a cement retaining wall, 23 feet at the highest point, will be built. Head of the stretch of the new track will be approximately where the popular Giant Dipper is now. The present concrete and steel grandstand will remain, but a new roof will be built. There will be more room in front of the stands. The track, cutting down from the dipper site and providing for a longer stretch run, will angle to cut through the centre of the present jockey's house. Then making a sweeping turn, it will go through the ‘L’ barn site and through two other old barns now where the back stretch will be. Frank Peterson, track expert for Bay Meadows and Portland Meadows, who examined dirt samples at Hastings track a week ago, believes that if the new track is dug down two feet, packed with Lulu Island peat then top-dressed with dirt and silt from the Fraser River bed, it will be among the finest and safest in North America. Mr. Bowell is doubtful if a new Giant Dipper will be built.”
It was October 15, 1947 when a late-night radio show made its debut on CKMO radio. The host of the show was a brash young deejay by the name of Jack Cullen. Originally the show was called DX Prowl (DX meaning distance in radio jargon) but then it was changed to Owl Prowl. “The show started October 15, 1947,” Jack recalled in 1994. “It ran from 10 p.m to 1 a.m. It was much more hit-parade oriented than today . . . I was a movie buff, and I subscribed to all the music and entertainment papers: Billboard, Variety, Metronome, Downbeat . . . and I used all this stuff. I sold my own spots ($1.50 or $2): I’d hustle by day, broadcast by night. The show clicked so quick. In six months I was laughing . . . I was making about $1,000 a month. In 1948 that was good.”
Five days later, the Vancouver Council of Churches was formed.
November 6, 1947, Woodward's Department Store expanded, opening an expansion.
Thanks to The History of Metropolitan Vancouver website for the above information.
I hope you find the beauty around you.
But the residents of Vancouver wanted the use of Stanley Park back, including unrestricted use of Ferguson Point. Now, the park is federal land, leased to the city but Commander Brigadier E.C. Plow left. Newspapers at the time said he was evicted but not according to Professor Moogk. The house has now been converted to a restaurant.
The Vancouver Sun reported on September 13, that 18,500 auto mobiles were driven into downtown Vancouver everyday. More would come if there were more parking spaces available. The survey said that 6,000 of those cars had drivers who were going to work while the other 12,500 were for other matters such as shopping, making business and sales calls.
A headline in the Vancouver Province newspaper October 10: BIGGER HASTINGS TRACK - GIANT DIPPER DOOMED
“The Happyland Giant Dipper will be torn down to make way for a new 5 1/2 furlong racetrack costing $200,000, to be built at Hastings Park in time for the races next summer. The announcement was made today by Mackenzie Bowell, president of the Pacific National Exhibition. The present track is a half-mile affair (four furlongs). The new track will be pear-shaped.. Estimated at $200,000 at present costs, the price of the new track may rise before it is completed . . . McGill street will be re-routed immediately north of the present race track and a cement retaining wall, 23 feet at the highest point, will be built. Head of the stretch of the new track will be approximately where the popular Giant Dipper is now. The present concrete and steel grandstand will remain, but a new roof will be built. There will be more room in front of the stands. The track, cutting down from the dipper site and providing for a longer stretch run, will angle to cut through the centre of the present jockey's house. Then making a sweeping turn, it will go through the ‘L’ barn site and through two other old barns now where the back stretch will be. Frank Peterson, track expert for Bay Meadows and Portland Meadows, who examined dirt samples at Hastings track a week ago, believes that if the new track is dug down two feet, packed with Lulu Island peat then top-dressed with dirt and silt from the Fraser River bed, it will be among the finest and safest in North America. Mr. Bowell is doubtful if a new Giant Dipper will be built.”
Five days later, the Vancouver Council of Churches was formed.
November 6, 1947, Woodward's Department Store expanded, opening an expansion.
Woodwards expansion. Photo Vancouver Public Library, 10421.
Jack Cullen broadcasting from a cab, parked at a drive-in restaurant. Photo taken in 1948 by Art Jones. Compliments of the Vancouver Public Library
I hope you find the beauty around you.
Whenever anything big like the World Wars or Vietnam you can bet your bottom it will change everything you once had or believed in.
ReplyDeleteAnd sometimes it is something small which does the same thing.
DeleteAsolutely.
ReplyDelete