History of Vancouver, BC | 7,000 BCE to Present

COME VISIT US:
2916 Commercial Drive (Open 7 days 12-4pm, except holidays)

RELATED CONTENT:
The Indigenous History of Seattle:

Mount Pleasant in the 80s:

CREDITS:
Maps and Narration by Matt Baker
Animation by Syawish Rehman
Audio editing by Ali Shahwaiz

REFERENCES:
Francis, Daniel (2021), Becoming Vancouver. Pender Harbour, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Hayes, Derek (2005), Historical Atlas of Vancouver. Madeira Park, BC: Douglas & McIntyre

[UsefulCharts]

Come visit us in Vancouver at 2916 Commercial Drive. We're open 7 days from 12-4pm, except holidays.

[jefflanam]

Here's my contribution to Vancouver history. I was staying in North Vancouver and I wanted to know how long it would take me to walk to Stanley Park over the Lions Gate Bridge. But Google Maps didn't know that was possible and kept giving me a route that took a ferry. I emailed Google and eventually they changed their map to allow pedestrians on the Lions Gate Bridge. You're welcome, Vancouverites.

[prateeksha]

I didn't know that useful charts are based in Vancouver. I appreciate this video so much. I've been living in Vancouver for 5 years now and I love it.😊

[ruyfernandez]

For a European like me it's quite visually shocking to see a city grow with such straight boundaries.

[the_alechemist]

Long time viewer, I am from Musqueam and I have chills that you are covering my people. Not all of your info on our peoples is accurate but surprisingly good!!

[davidowle]

This is so comprehensive it should be used as curriculum in Canadian schools. Very well done. I look forward to popping into the store next time I'm home. Thank you.

-a former Vancouverite

[jeffreysutherland]

This has become one of my favourite channels over the last year, and I just found out today that you’re based out of here too. As a Vancouver resident, this video was awesome, and as a proud Indigenous person, I can say that you handled the topic very well

[Droxal]

Vancouver is definitely one of North America's most interesting cities, but also sadly one of, if not the most, expensive cities when incomes are accounted for.

I really hope we can all get past this housing crisis, and hopefully one day all enjoy this wonderful city :)

[DIDCHOI]

I lived in Vancouver since I was 2, and gotta say, I didn't know most of this history and found it fascinating! We learn so much about broader Canadian history, but apparently a big gap in local Vancouver history! Thanks for the enlightenment!

[ISawABear]

I keep forgetting youre from my city, despite having met you at a convention. Im sending this to my coworkers as we work across the lower main in green areas. I love you for bringing your chart skills to this.

This needs to be part of the bc curriculum

[aymerichm]

This video brings back a lot of dear memories, since I've been lucky enough to spend a year as an exchange student at Simon Fraser University. I literally fell in love with Vancouver and British Columbia, it became perhaps my favorite place on earth. I hope I'll be able to visit again one day. Kudos for not forgetting to talk about the history of First Nations, and about the poverty and homelessness issues of DTES. I was deeply moved by this sight of human misery each time I took the bus between Downtown and SFU. I hope things are getting better.

[arashhajbabaee]

I teach at a college for international students in Vancouver. This video will find its way to class no doubt. Thank you!

[ruyfernandez]

This is unexpected. Cool to change format from time to time.

[dchang]

Extremely well narrated video! I would say 70% of what was covered in this video was never touched upon in our BC high school curriculum. Learned a lot of the facts covered largely through piecemeal discussions with locals. I am a Vancouverite myself and would highly recommend that the BC Ministry of Education consider adopting the content here into the high school curriculum, the First Nations history was extremely interesting. Thank you for sharing!

[cassidycooper]

I have lived in Vancouver my whole life and sadly growing up we were never told about the history of our First Nations people or how we really came to be historically because it was 'taboo'. I only started learning about it when I went to university at Capilano University. This was the most informative and succinct way I have ever seen a history of Vancouver that rightfully included the history of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh, since most just start once settlers arrived. This should be shown in schools all around Vancouver so that children grow up with a better understanding of our history. Also thank you for including the Kwikwetlem Nation the Poco girl in me was very happy to see it :)

[orwellson]

L.A. native here. Just visited Vancouver with my fiancée this past July, and this video really added depth to our experiences in this gorgeous city. Thanks for the video and we’ll be sure to stop by the store next time we visit the city. Keep up the good work!

[zachpower]

A small oversight- Victoria actually has Canada’s oldest and for a while, biggest, Chinatown, established in 1858!

Love this video and will definitely try and make it out to your shop next time I’m in town ☺️

[Carpediem]

Will you do other Canadian Cities? This would be a cool series imo

Edit: You should cover the forgotten German named cities, towns and streets in Canada

[PrincessZoey]

Very well said everything. Born and raised Vancouverite, I love seeing quality local content!

[stevejohnson]

I loved this one. There's an interesting story about why New West is not the capital. The governor was allowing the Legislative Council the final say and in both colonies there were members who hated their capitals. There was a sea captain who was going to give a speech and because he was influential, some members from Vancouver Island took him out and got him drunk. He proceed to attempt the speech but Dr. Helmeken replaced the 1st page of his pile several times until the meeting had to end.