In terms of internationally historic cities Vancouver is still in its infancy. Still we do have our own urban historic sites or in some cases the memories and archives of sites within the city that have historic or even just sentimental meaning.
702 West Georgia Street
When you take The Canada Line to Vancouver City Centre Station you are stepping into Vancouver history. Just steps away is the Vancouver Art Gallery, an architecturally beautiful building but it is more than that. Formerly the Court House the grounds have been the site of many a rally, protest, sit-in, or celebration. The 2010 Olympics comes to mind as a recent use of the grounds, Occupy, and going back to 1967, when the water in the fountains was dyed green, to celebrate Gold medal victory and the return to Canada of Olympian Nancy Green.
Sharing the corner of Hornby and Georgia is The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver that over the years has welcomed many a royal and celebrity guest. Urban myth has Bing Crosby, dressed in fishing attire, initially turned away at the front desk.
From the 1930’s to not so many years ago the northwest corner of Georgia and Hornby was home to the Georgia Medical Dental Building and three large statues of WWI Nursing Sisters. Now a new building sits on that site, Cathedral Place. Replicas now adorn the new building but the history of the Nursing Sisters remains.
Although the Birks store no longer anchors the corner of Georgia and Granville, and the Birks clock can now be found at Hastings and Granville, for years the iconic timepiece was the place to meet up with friends to spend time downtown.
Lots more heritage to explore downtown using The Canada Line.
