The end of 47

November 14, 1947 a dubious honour was bestowed on Vancouver. William Munavish - a safecracker from Vancouver - was named Canada's first habitual criminal.

On November 20, Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth were married.

The next day, Vancouver's first FM radio station began broadcasting. CBU-FM 105.7 had a test period and in the beginning, programming was simulcast on CBR AM 1130.

The old Lumberman's Arch was demolished. It had been erected at Pender and Hamilton for the 1912 visit of the Duke of Connaught then moved to Stanley Park. On August 29, 1919, it was dedicated to its designer, Captain G.P. Bowie who died in World War I. The arch was demolished due to fears it would collapse and injure someone,

On December 29, liberal Byron "Boss" Johnson became premier of the province. I have written on Johnson before when I was working on my series about B.C. premiers last year and you can go here to read more.

Vancouver born composer, Jean Coulthard went to teach music at the University of British Columbia. She held that position until 1973, when she retired. In 1994, Coulthard received an Order of British Columbia and the citation reads, in part:

“Jean Coulthard's belief that a composer has a special responsibility to the community resulted in works designed to be accessible to the wider public, including works for students. She has brought British Columbia recognition in the musical field that has made possible the achievements of younger composers whom she taught and assisted.”

In 1947, Chinese citizens got the vote back, which they had lost in 1875.

The new BC Tel building at Seymour and Robson was named for the company's first president, William Farrell.

The Blue Bombers, a junior Vancouver football team, became Dominion Champions. This was the first time this had happened in Vancouver and the team was coached by Punjab born, Ranjit Matu. Matu was a star athlete in the 1930s and later.

A 29-year-old, pugnacious reporter by the name of Jack Webster left the newspaper world of Scotland and England and came to work at the Vancouver Sun. Vancouver would never be the same again! Here's an entry from 2012 when I wrote on Mr. Webster.

Thanks to The History of Metropolitan Vancouver website for the information above.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

...1947

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.

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

Thanks to The History of Metropolitan Vancouver website for the above information.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

1947

The year is 1947. The place... Vancouver, Canada.

On January 27, Walter Mulligan became police chief. This Liverpool born officer had a memorable term in office as you can see by some of my earlier entries. He was a colourful character who was unfortunately not too honest and was investigated.

Mayor Gerry McGeer officiated at the sod turning ceremony for the Schara Tzedeck synagogue at Oak and 19th on January 31, 1947.

The next day, February 1, Bob Smith made his debut as host of the CBC Radio show Hot Air. Winnipeg born Smith played jazz recordings from his own collection. He hosted the show for 35 years until 1982 when he left due to the onset of Parkinson's disease.

February 10 marked the end of an era. The last ferry to run across the Burrard Inlet to West Vancouver made its run and returned to the downtown terminal. The ferry to North Vancouver would continue to run until 1958.

The Eburne Post Office, active since 1892, closed on March 31, 1947.

April 28 a mystery was born. A Trans Canada Airlines Lockheed Lodestar disappeared with 15 people aboard. No one from the flight was heard from again. In September 1994, the crash site was discovered on Mt. Cheam near Chilliwack.

Here's something interesting. On June 24, 1947, US pilot Kenneth Arnold was flying above the Cascade Mountains in Washington State when he saw nine silver disc shaped objects in the sky. These orbs did aerial manoeuvres unlike anything Arnold had seen before. This was the start of the flying saucer craze.

The BC Bus Terminal opened on July 31, 1947.

Art Seller moved his little airplane company from Vancouver to Langley on August 6, 1947. There was mention of Seller and his company on the Canadian Museum of Flight website but it doesn't seem to be there any longer. Fortunately, the source I am using managed to save this quote:

“To take advantage of the postwar flying boom, almost as soon as he got home in 1945, in partnership with Harold Foster, whom he later bought out, he formed Royal City Flying Club at Vancouver Airport. It had one war surplus Tiger Moth. Later, a second Moth was added. Vancouver airport was becoming crowded so, in 1947, he decided to move to Langley. He might almost be considered the father of the present day bustling Langley Airport for in 1947 it was only a grass field—an emergency landing strip for Trans Canada Airlines, with no buildings other than a couple of old farm privies Art used as offices. Business was good. The company grew. On August 6 1947 it changed its name to Skyway Air Services . . .”

August 11, 1947 was a sad day for Vancouver. While still serving his term as mayor, Gerry McGeer unexpectedly died. His was vigorous man, full of energy. McGeer passed quietly lying on a sofa at his home.

“Clad in pyjamas, covered by two blankets, he was found by his driver, Police Constable Andy Sculley, (who) had gone to pick up the mayor and take him to his office at City Hall.”

Stuart Thompson took this photo in 1932 of Gerry McGeer. He served as mayor from 1932 to 1936 then was re-elected in 1947. Seven months after re-taking office, he died. Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Public Library.

I would like to thank The History of Metropolitan Vancouver website for the information in this blog.

I was going to start a new feature this week but was unable to get the photos I needed. Maybe next week.

I hope you find the beauty around you.