Vancouver History: Nat Bailey
In 1924 Nathaniel Bailey (originally of St Paul, Minnesota) drove around to local baseball games in Vancouver, selling peanuts and refreshments to the crowds. He, “transformed his 1918 Model T truck into a travelling lunch counter, parking every Sunday at Lookout Point on SW Marine Drive… …a dime for a hot dog, a nickel for an ice cream.” [VancouverHistory]
Four years later Bailey opened the first White Spot Barbecue with its main feature - the car hop service located at 67th and Granville. Nine years later he replaced it with the White Spot Restaurant and Drive-in.
Unfortunately in 1986 this original location burned down, “One of the city’s most beloved buildings, White Spot #1 was more than a restaurant to the people who had grown up with it. As it burned beyond repair, crowds stood on the street with tears in their eyes. Rush-hour traffic in south Vancouver came to a halt, and for a month afterwards, a solemn procession of cars passed through the deserted parking lot.” [WhiteSpotFAQ]
The Vancouver Mounties, who played at Capilano Stadium built in 1951 (on the edge of Queen Elizabeth Park) were sold to local businessmen in 1956, Nat Bailey being one of them. “The Mounties played in the Pacific Coast League from 1956 through 1962 as the relocated Oakland Oaks franchise, and from 1965 through 1969 when the Dallas Rangers moved back to Canada.” [wiki]
In 1978 Cap Stadium, with its new PCL team the Vancouver Canadians, was renamed in Nat’s honor after his passing that year.
Nat Bailey’s contributions to the city in terms of sport and business have been profound. I know that John and I still go to White Spot and although we’re not big into burgers (despite the tempting Triple O) “Nat’s Hearty Brunch” is a tough one to beat.
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June 29th, 2008 at 9:52 am
I haven’t been there for a while. Though I’ve never gotten through a game there for some silly reason I’ve always gotten sick. Though Whitepot on the other hand is yummi, specially their ZooSticks!
June 29th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I often walk by the Nat Bailey Stadium, even though I’ve never attended any games there… and I love me some White Spot, too!
June 29th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
@Tyler - we had zoo sticks tonight and I had a huge pint of Nat’s Lager (brewed by Granville Island Brewing exclusively for White Spot)
@Raul - we have to go to a game! Super cheap tickets and a great way to chill for an afternoon.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Baseball for the whole family, with trees lined up beyond the outfield fence.
I never knew Nat Bailey hailed from the east-half of the Twin Cities …
July 1st, 2008 at 12:51 am
We had white spot tonight (chicken wraps), there is one right down the road, so it is so easy to call ahead and grab it on the way home as take out.
I have always been a big spot fan, all my life… those Zoo sticks rock.
There was a Spot with the drive up service at the corner of 25th and Cambie and having grown up in the area, my family often ate Spot in the car off those shiny sliver trays when I was a kid. It’s gone now. But what novelty.
Growing up my friends and I would always meet at the Spot. Coffee and good conversations. I love the story of why it was called “White Spot”. It is a very west coast thing. I’ve had people come from out of town and insist on experiencing White Spot.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I have a real fondness for Nat Bailey. It’s a terrific stadium. Even if you loathe baseball, it’s worth going once just to enjoy the ambiance and view. Stay until the seventh inning stretch.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:40 am
[...] most Metro Vancouverites, this is still a rich region when it comes to baseball - just look at our history and our future. Digg it Add to del.icio.us Stumble it add to [...]
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:36 am
[...] afternoon tradition in our family. Heading to the ballpark (to watch the C’s play over at the Nat) or catching a game on WGN, allows for a slow, simple enjoyment of this pass time - even moreso if [...]