More Vancouver Street Murals

Even though Vancouver has a graffiti bylaw that was enacted in 2003, street art appears to be everywhere.  One of the clauses states that there is a minimum $500 fine for anyone caught writing graffiti.  I'm not sure anyone is paying attention to this bylaw as creative forces are still at work in local neighborhoods.

Don Yeomans: Celebrating Flight

Don Yeoman: Celebrating Flight YVR Totem Pole
Rising over 12 meters in height, Don Yeomans's spectacular totem pole Celebrating Flight adorns the atrium of the Link Building at Vancouver Airport.

Vintage

Propped up in a Granville Street store.

Coast Salish Art: People Amongst The People

Part of one of the three cedar gateways erected near the majestic totem pole site in Stanley Park, these Coast Salish art pieces have been carved by Susan Point a member of the Musqueam First Nation in Vancouver.

Three Greenhorns Buy West End For $550.75

Back in 1862 the area now known as the West End was snapped up by three Englishmen, John Morton, Samuel Brighouse, and William Hailstone for the ghastly sum of $550.75. In those days the West End was nothing but trees, a forested area known as lot number 185 - 540 acres of rainforest.  These three men, known as the Three Greenhorns because people believed they were naive and paid too much for the land,  had great visions for the future. In their dreams they envisioned mining for porcelain clays in Coal Harbour and starting a brick works business.  Unfortunately the clay was not of the greatest quality used for making bricks and the distance to transport what could be produced to New Westminster, a mere 20 km away seen as too far.  In order to make money, some of the land by then referred to as the Brickmaker's Claim was divided into lots and sold to different investors. Of course the rest is history, as the West End now holds some of the most expensive real estate in the country.

Haunts Of Vancouver: The Dominion Building

Urban legend has it that the architect of the Dominion Building, John Helyer, died at the opening party of this heritage building.  Built in 1909, this 14-storey building was the first steel framed high rise to be built in Vancouver. It was also the tallest.  It is located at the corner of Cambie and Hastings, bordering on Downtown Eastside, Gastown and Chinatown.
Ever since that opening night party over 100 years ago, rumor has it that John Helyer's ghost can be seen on the staircase between the seventh and eighth floors.  Even creepier is that many have reported hearing his footsteps in the stairway.  It has never been clear how he came to tumble down the stairs. Did he fall, did he jump or was he pushed.  Only the ghosts of the Dominion Building really know.

Granville Island: Where To Moor

Looks like a full house at the Granville Island Marina.