"Vancouver Through the Years": 2015

Monday 12 October 2015

U.S.S. Coral Sea Visits Vancouver in March 1960

The U.S.S. Coral Sea visited Vancouver in March of 1960. The U.S.S. Coral Sea was on its way to its new home port in Alameda California after being refitted in Bremerton Washington. It was a very popular visit. Over 100,000 people lined the shorelines to greet the 63,000 ton aircraft carrier, There were traffic jams into Stanley Park as Vancouverites tried to get the best vantage points to see the huge aircraft carrier. The most spectacular moment was when the aircraft carrier went under the Lions Gate Bridge with a few feet to spare. The crew had to take down the "Lollipop", the 11 foot section of the navigational aid at the top of the mainmast. According to newspaper articles, thousands of school children skipped school or were permitted to leave to watch the ship come into port. According to one article, one principal said those that played hookey will pay the price with detentions. There were a lot of social events organized while the ship was in port including a huge dance where over 900 local women were invited to meet the sailors. The Seaforth Highlanders paraded down towards the ship before going aboard for a social function.

U.S.S. Coral Sea moored at the CPR docks in March 1960, Vancouver, B.C.

My father took the following video on his old movie camera of the U.S.S. Coral Sea coming into Vancouver Port and the Seaforth Highlanders marching to the ship. This footage shows how different Vancouver looked in 1960. The only recognizable places in the footage are the mountains, Stanley Park and the marine gas stations. Canada Place and the Trade and Convention Centre now sit where the CPR docks used to be.

The following Vancouver Sun newspaper articles were published about the arrival and visit of the U.S.S. Coral Sea.

Vancouver Sun Cartoon of the U.S.S. Coral Sea in Vancouver, March 1960

Friday 3 April 2015

Princess Margaret's Royal Visit to Vancouver 1958

In July of 1958, HRH Princess Margaret toured British Columbia to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of British Columbia as a colony. Princess Margaret visited all regions of the province. Six convertible Chrysler Imperials were used for the Royal Tour.

Princess Margaret sitting beside Lieutenant-Governor Frank Mackenzie Ross

Princess Margaret's motorcade heading westbound on Broadway at Commercial Drive. This intersection has changed dramatically. Where Toot's family restaurant used to be on the north east corner is now part of the Broadway Skytrain Station. If you look carefully enough at the following video clip, you will notice that the R.C.M.P. motorcycle member is dressed in Red Serge.

R.C.M.P. Motorcycle Member in red serge

Royal Limousine passing Toot's Restaurant at Broadway and Commercial Drive

Saturday 10 January 2015

Royal Visit to Vancouver - May 1971

Over the years there have been many Royal Tour to Vancouver. In 1971, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Princess Anne visited Vancouver as part of a Royal Tour celebrating British Columbia's Centennial. The Royals were in B.C. from May 3 to May 12, 1971. The following pictures were taken by my father. I remember this tour quite well because I was sick from school for a couple of days and on one of those days my Grandfather took me all over the city looking for the Queen. I remember waiting at the southwest corner of West 16th and Oak street for the Royal motorcade to pass by.

The Royal Motorcade heading southbound at Oak Street and West 41st Ave. The motorcade is headed by Vancouver Police and R.C.M.P. motorcycles. The Mountie in this picture better get out of the way!
The 41st and Oak Street intersection looks totally different today. There is still a gas station on the northeast corner but it's now PetroCan not Standard. The Esso gas station on the southwest corner is long gone.