Vancouver may be known for its towering glass high-rises, but this city also features some fascinating historic structures – here are 10 must-see ones to check out!
Step back in time at this national historic site, where wooden palisades enclose a 1920s-style village of rough-hewn timber buildings. Experience hands-on demonstrations for coopering, blacksmithing and gold panning or stay overnight in one of their trader themed oTENTiks!
Steveston Village
Few places capture BC’s history as well as Steveston, an idyllic seaside village located on Lulu Island near the mouth of Fraser River. Once a major salmon canning center with a vibrant multicultural history characterized by hard work and hopefulness, Steveston today welcomes visitors from near and far drawn by its historic buildings and atmosphere.
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery and Britannia Shipyards are National Historic Sites that showcase the industrial activities and living conditions in early 1900 cannery communities. There’s even a First Nations Bunkhouse on site! Additionally, boat building sheds can also be found nearby.
Moncton Street’s heritage buildings depict Steveston’s early commercial district. Of particular note is the Steveston Museum & Visitor Centre, once its pioneer bank building. Its design was inspired by its location along the tracks of B.C. Electric Railway Company interurban tram line between Vancouver and Steveston via Marpole from 1905 until 1958.
Fort Langley
Visit Fort Langley National Historic Site, one hour east of Vancouver, for a glimpse into Vancouver’s past. Here is where the Hudson’s Bay Company established a trading post to trade with Indigenous populations in the area.
Experience a reconstructed fort surrounded by wooden palisades, witness period-authentic buildings with clanging anvils, or listen to First Nations interpreters share centuries-old tales. Additionally, sleep over in a furnished and heritage themed oTENTik at the fort (seasonal availability).
This site is significant because it marked the genesis of modern Canada and British Columbia settlement, while also playing an essential part in shaping early West Coast history. Fort Broughton is commemorated by means of both a community heritage register and thematic framework adopted by its township to ensure better understanding and conservation of historical resources in its vicinity.
Pomeroy Living History Farm
The Pomeroy Living History Farm is a historical homestead which recreates life on an early diversified subsistence farm located in Lucia Valley of Clark County, Washington. It includes log house, barn and granary. Furthermore, public programs and school tours depict pre-electrical farm life at this historic homestead.
E C Pomeroy arrived with his family to this area in 1910 at a time when the rural frontier consisted of rugged, isolated frontiers reliant upon logging and subsistence farming for survival. They built the current house on their property in 1920; the two-story side-gabled structure features logs from their property that have been hand cut, planed, hewed and planed before being covered by drop siding salvaged from an old Vancouver tavern building that serves as the second floor structure.
Pomeroy Living History Farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an outstanding example of rural settlement on Washington state frontier through agriculture and community development.
Stanley Park Hollow Tree
From the time photographers first started coming to Vancouver, they have lined up their lenses to capture an iconic shot of Stanley Park’s Hollow Tree – its western red cedar stump is an attraction that has drawn crowds long before the Silver Dart made its first powered flight or Lucy Maud Montgomery published Anne of Avonlea.
After being severely damaged in a 2006 windstorm, many spoke out in favour of its preservation. At first, the Park Board proposed cutting it down; however, plans have since been put forward to prop up and support this cultural icon with metal braces instead.
The Hollow Tree stands as a monument to British Columbia’s original forests, as well as a tribute to Vancouver residents who helped shape our public parks through hard work and effort. Before Stanley Park became a park, its trails served as original logging skid roads!
