A Virtual Stroll in Marpole

Filmed on September 16th, 2020.

Many of us know Marpole as the strip of commercial activity at the southern end of Granville Street or for the blocks of three-storey apartment buildings from the 1950s. But the community is also the site of significant cultural and archaeological resources, and was the location of some of the earliest non-native settlement in what would become Vancouver. Situated on the north shore of the Fraser River which has sustained the Musqueam people for thousands of years, the original small settlement grew into a substantial centre of industry and commerce with canneries and sawmills that employed a multi-cultural workforce including Musqueam, Japanese and Chinese among others. On this virtual walk, historian John Atkin explored the area's fascinating architecture along with its diverse cultural and transportation history.

[heronimousbrapson]

We lived for almost a year on Cartier street in Marpole from August, 1959 to July, 1960. I was in the second grade at David Lloyd George ekementary school, and my mom used to send me to the K & S grocery for milk, bread, etc.

[outdoor_kat]

Just learning about the Marpole Midden, thanks for the vid! You are right, Vancouverites need to know more about its magnitude and importance. There is not enough information out there. Despicable that it is still dismissed as an old refuse heap.

[slam]

I've been in Marpole since early 2000's and consider it my home. Marpole is a wonderful place to live. Quiet, tranquil and low crime rate. The only thing I complain about is shopping and civic facilities are really short when compared to rest of Vancouver. It is really dated I afraid.