Vintage Vancouver Photos of Dogs Around Town

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

This morning I asked my Twitter followers what today’s “Then and Now” theme should be and I received some great suggestions. One that stuck out (hat tips to Patty Gibson) was a feature about dogs and their owners.

With Vancouver being such a dog-friendly city, complete with doggy day spas, dog bakeries, with a selection of off-leash parks and beaches, I thought it would be a great fit. Mind you, I might not have been able to find direct comparison photos (or appropriate “Now” images) but I thought I would still provide a glimpse into Vancouver’s dog-loving days of the past.

Vintage Vancouver Photos of Dogs Around Town

1890s
Not a sight you’re likely to see today. Three small boys who look like they have just returned from a hunting trip with their faithful companion.


Photo credit: Major Matthews Collection, Item # SGN 1734

1898
A man strolls along Granville (near Hastings) with his dog as they approach the original CPR train station.


Photo credit: Major Matthews Collection, Item # Bu P266

1900s
I’m not sure if Reuben Hamilton’s dog Cronje was a class pet or just a visitor but he was a welcomed edition to the Charles Dickens school photo nevertheless.


Photo credit: Major Matthews Collection, Item # Sch P68

1912
You wouldn’t believe how many images I have found in the Archives that show bears chained up in yards like dogs, or even playing with dogs. The image below is from Waterloo Street in Kitsilano.


Photographer: James L. Quiney, Item # CVA 7-21

1919
The photograph collection at the Archives has at least a dozen photos of military personnel posing with their dogs. Here is the group from Hastings Park C.S.E.F.


Photographer: Stuart Thomson, Item #CVA 99-704

1938
A view from the ferry terminal in West Vancouver, you can see a pup was there when the two bridge towers of the Lions Gate went up.


Photo credit: David Loughnan, Item # CVA 265-51

Should you have your own suggestions for the “Then and Now” theme, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Check out these photos and more information on the City of Vancouver Archives website, or in person at 1150 Chestnut Street in Kitsilano. Follow my archives series here »

Current Contests on Miss604
*All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »

3 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Keira-AnneThursday, November 5th, 2009 — 1:53pm PST

    Clearly it comes as no surprise to you that this one’s my favourite in your wonderful series 😉

  2. Tyler IngramThursday, November 5th, 2009 — 2:05pm PST

    My grandfather had a bear as a pet when he lived in England. I have the photos of it too! I should look at scanning them in one day.

    Cool photos, like the one of the Lions Gate going up from Dunderave (that is dunderave right?)

  3. TonyMonday, November 9th, 2009 — 10:35am PST

    Great post, I love this stuff. I’ll have to look into what happened with that original CPR Station. They don’t build them like they used to!

Also on Miss604.com
«
»