Wednesday 25 April 2018

V is for Vancouver ...




How could I not do Vancouver, though could have chosen Victoria, now the capital of Vancouver Island.


Location of Vancouver within
metro-Vancouver
Vancouver in the late 1800s displaced Victoria as the leading commercial centre on Canada's west coast ... in part due to the prosperity arising from the Klondike Gold Rush and the arrival of the railways 1880s, which soon, in the main, superseded other modes of inland transport.



Early 20th C Vancouver developed its markets for fish, minerals and lumber - then the First World War severely declined economic prosperity ...


Stanley Park
... the 1920s growth resumed and the export grain trade held up during the Great Depression of the 1930s ... while its mild climate became a draw for many peoples ... this led to Vancouver replacing Winnipeg as the leading city in western Canada.


Port of Vancouver

... the outbreak of the Second World War ended unemployment, trade grew particularly through shipments of wheat to China.


I highly recommend this
saga - see note below


But ... the early settlers in the 1850s in the western coasts and Vancouver areas largely ignored the Indigenous members of the Coastal Salish linquistic group ... 'just taking their land' by proclamation under the Crown ...



The Speaker figure - Brooklyn Museum
19thC - the voice at the Potlatch ceremony

The Indigenous Peoples had been here for over 8,000 years ... and through the abundance found on the coast enabled them to live in larger, more socially stratified groups than was typical among Indigenous peoples in Canada. 


Their great wealth and complex social organisation produced elaborate cultural institutions as exemplified by the potlatch ceremony.



Vancouver's Chinatown - the largest
in Canada

... during the eighty years or so from the mid 1800s to the outbreak of WW2 many peoples from a wide range of countries had by choice, or by offer of employment, or by dubious coercive offers of employment had entered Canada via Vancouver ...*




... apart from the Europeans ... Chinese, Indians (Punjabis), Japanese made up most of the early immigrants obtaining work in the mines and thus establishing 'neighbourhoods' ... there are now many other different cultural areas ...



Statue of "Gassy" Jack in the historic
area of Gastown
Gastown was Vancouver's first downtown 'centre', named after "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a Yorkshire seaman, steamboat captain and barkeeper, who arrived in 1867 opening its first saloon.


Gassy Jack's tavern led to other stores and hotels appearing, which in turn led to the Canadian Pacific Railway extending westwards to take advantage of the large natural seaport - which became the vital link in a trade route between the Orient/Asia, Eastern Canada and Europe ...



Collage of the area


Now Vancouver is known the world over as the 'go to place' ... wonderful shoreline, stunning British Columbian interior, snow to enjoy, nature to explore, a multi-cultural diversity of ethnic groups ...


... offering delicious foods, choices of art theatre, music, film ... it is a film production centre - earning it the nickname "Hollywood North" ... and even the TED Conference has made Vancouver its home.



Vancouver was never recognised in his day -
yet posthumously has been.
It is thought that this recently found painting
might be of Captain Vancouver
To conclude this long post ... the city takes its name from George Vancouver (1757 - 1798) ... who explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, the Hawaiian Islands and the SW coast of Australia.


Vancouver was a British officer, yet the family name originates from the Dutch "Van Coevorden", denoting somebody from the city of Coevorden, Netherlands ...


That is V for Vancouver both vanquished and victorious ... from Aspects by a British 'girl' in Canada ...

I have recommended this book before - but I'd highly recommend 'Vancouver' that is a Saga, an absorbing historical chronicle of the American coastal northwest and its settlers from the Siberian people through to today ... 

* as happened in other parts of the world during WW2 ... any immigrant from an ethnic background would probably suffer from internment - this too was prevalent in Vancouver

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

39 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

I have been thoroughly enjoying learning more about your current home. Fascinating snippets which I will have to explore further.
Thank you so much.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I know little about western Canada but thanks to you and your A to Z challenge, I am learning so much. Vancouver sounds like a nice place to live or visit.

I do wonder how Gassy got his name.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
It is certainly a place I would like to visit...adding to my long bucket list with only a vague hope of actually getting there. YAM xx

Liz A. said...

Ah yes, very familiar scenery from many TV shows. Someday I'd like to spend more than 8 hours there.

Sherry Ellis said...

Vancouver is such a fascinating place. Nice to read about it here.

Tara Tyler said...

I finally stopped by - but waiting during the a to z lets me peruse the previous posts! I feel like it’s p day!

screamers and shinplasters was my favorite, but I learned a lot about quebec and vancouver - plus union bay
so glad you have a new canvas to paint a beautiful picture of canada for us!

Tara Tyler Talks

Hels said...

Vancouver is one of my favourite cities in the entire world. Mum's cousins used to live in Winnipeg, so we had the family reunions there. But the next generation of Canadian cousins moved to Vancouver, happily for me :) Stanley Park, ports, Gastown, Granville Island Market etc... all wonderful.

Juliet said...

I've always heard what a wonderful place Vancouver is, and it's great to read your post & find out more. Thanks Hilary.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ EC - thanks so much ... it's been quite enlightening writing up these posts - lots to learn ...

@ Arleen - so good to know I've sort of covered your bases vis a vis some of Canada ... I hope to spend a bit of time in Vancouver ... and I can guess how Gassy got his name - various alternatives!!

@ Yamini - I hope I make it over ... so many places on my bucket list now!

@ Liz - yes I expect I should recognise some of the waterfronts and parks ... perhaps I will at some stage ... I hope you can get back ...

@ Sherry - I'm sure there's lots to learn and see in Vancouver - I hope to be able to do it ...

@ Tara - excellent to see you ... thanks for making the time to get over and see a few of the posts (or perhaps all) ... yes I thought Screamers and Shinplasters would be a good post ... but I'm pleased I did write up a little on Quebec, as well as U for Union Bay and here for Vancouver ...

... as you say onwards and further for more on Canada ... it'll be fun to learn, even if I don't quite get everywhere ...

@ Hels - you're lucky in that case - you know the city ... me, I have yet to visit ... lots of sights there ... I obviously must check out Granville Island Market

@ Juliet - thanks for coming by after your storms in Auckland - not nice by the sound of it ... I'm sure I'll be spending a bit of time there at some stage ...

Thanks everyone ... so glad to see you all - cheers Hilary

Sue Bursztynski said...

I always wondered where that name came from! Not nice about the indigenous population, though! Isn't that typical of European colonisation, including here in Australia - barge in, help yourself to other people's homes and never see that you've done anything wrong. In this country, there was the Terra Nullius thing, i.e, despite a population that's been here for about 60,000 years, it's empty land, fine to take it!

Australian children's writers: V Is For Voicing The Dead

https://suebursztynski.blogspot.com.au/2018/04/a-to-z-blogging-challenge-2018-v-is-for.html

Deepa said...

I have enjoyed eading this post so much. Thanks for sharing

Tongue Twister for V

Unknown said...

Hi Hilary. Vancouver and its surrounds looks beautiful and interesting place. I am enjoying travelling around Canada with you via your posts. Continue having a great time. Kim

Bob Scotney said...

The history of Vancouver is fascinating - I knew none of this, a real education for me.

Keith's Ramblings said...

I am determined to see Vancouver one day, I keep being told what a great place it is and you have tempted me further!

A-Z of My Friend Rosey!

Vallypee said...

A fascinating post about your host city, Hilary! I never knew that Vancouver's name comes from Dutch origins. I feel connected somehow :)

Jz said...

I've only had the chance to see Victoria... this is increasing my desire to get back and see even more of the area. :-)
You've certainly landed in a pretty (and interesting) place, Hilary!

Joanne said...

We only had a day in Vancouver (we were catching a cruise to AK), but I was highly impressed. Lovely place, nice people, beautiful park, nifty totems, and good food. Big winner!

Jo said...

I would really like to get out there Hilary, but unlikely I'm afraid. When we first came to Ontario it was very unusual to see East Indians anywhere, unlike Britain when we left. In the 40 some years we have been here, it has changed considerably.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sue - I was interested to see the origin of the city's name; sadly we weren't nice to the people who had populated our lands for years and knew the mores of the landscape, the flora and fauna and who had survived for thousands of years ...

I didn't know of the term 'Terra Nullius' ... but it describes the woes of a land taken ...

@ DeeDee - glad you've enjoyed it ...

@ Kim - Vancouver I gather is stunning ... so I look forward to visiting - just glad you're enjoying your tour via the blog posts ...

@ Bob - oh great ... thank you - lovely to see you ...

@ Keith - excellent ... it is a wonderful part of the world ... from what I can gather ... it is all here ...

@ Val - that's great you feel connected with your present Dutch homeland ...

@ Jz - oh yes ... so much to see here - and I'm sure Vancouver is bustling, yet has loads to do and see ...

@ Joanne - I remember your cruise ... but so glad you had that day to see some of the city Vancouver - it sounds a big winner doesn't it ...

@ Jo - it's the way life is isn't it - some things we get to do, sadly others not ... and yes so much has changed in a few decades ...

Thanks for your visits ... lovely to see you and have your comments - cheers Hilary

Deborah Weber said...

I've had the pleasure of visiting Vancouver a couple of times - always lovely. But my point of focus when visiting places isn't often historical-based, so I really enjoy this aspect of your posts Hilary. I'm learning so much about Canada through your eyes - so glad you're giving us this "tour."

Jacqui said...

My sister is thinking of moving there, to retire. I wanted to follow her--be close--but I think it's pretty expensive? Fairly developed and crowded? I probably should take a trip up to visit.

Susan Scott said...

Well, I didn't know that Vancouver was a British officer, the name originating in the Netherlands. I do know that Vancouver has been named as one of the most beautiful cities in which to live. It's multi-racialism is encouraging. I love your photos, thanks Hilary!

Out on the prairie said...

I always think of all the good foods I enjoyed, especially the oriental. Visiting North Americas oldest Chinatown was a big draw for me.

quietspirit said...

Hilary: Thank you for this most informative post. I love to learn of the history of an area.

diedre Knight said...

Hi Hilary!

I just knew this post would be fantastic - and it was! Such a beautiful place, so rich in history and culture. It appears that in all of his adventurous travels, Vancouver loved this area most. I can sure see why.

Silvia Writes said...

Everything about Canada reads absolutely spectacular, and Vancouver is right there with the top entries, by what I'm reading here, Hilary. So nice to learn more about this city -- history, culture..
Thank you.

Rhodesia said...

Yet another interesting and educational post. Well done Hilary I think you have excelled yourself with this alphabet. Cheers Diane

Deborah Barker said...

Hi Hilary, up to V already? I am sadly behind once again but glad I caught Vancouver. Dave and I have said we'd love to go to Vancouver some day. Thank you for your interesting and informative summary! I shall endeavour to keep abreast of your next three posts.:-)

Anabel Marsh said...

The first Canadian City I ever visited - wonderful.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Deborah - lucky you ... and I'm just glad these extra notes give a bit more detail about the various areas ... and thank you ...

@ Jacqui - I gather it is fairly expensive - but of course it's all subjective ... I guess it's see what you think - and yes a visit, perhaps with your sister would make sense ...

@ Susan - it is interesting what one can pick up doing these sorts of posts ... and I gather it is a stunning city ... while that multi-culturalism does sound encouraging doesn't it ... thanks I try and make the images match, thus bringing the post to life ...

@ Steve - ah now you've told me ... I obviously have to go and visit Chinatown, amongst the other areas ...

@ Cecelia - thanks so much ... I enjoy writing up these sorts of posts ...

@ Diedre - thank you so much!! I've picked up lots so am better prepared for when I visit - it appears Vancouver was exceedingly good at what he did - but not much respected or promoted once he got home ... sad.

@ Silvia - that's great ... I'm sure being so close you could 'quickly' pop up for a holiday?! I think it must rank highly in one of the best cities to spend some time in ...

@ Diane - thanks Diane - I'm so glad the posts have satisfied ... I have varied them a lot ... which hasn't made them too stereotyped ...

@ Deborah - I know the alphabet can rush along! Oh well I hope this post has tempted you and Dave for a visit ... well worth it; as you know the one advantage of a blog ... is that the posts 'hang around'!!

@ Anabel - delighted ... and I'm sure you and John enjoyed your visit here ...

Thanks everyone - Vancouver seems to be calling you all - the welcome will be wonderful ... cheers Hilary

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Of course I have heard of Vancouver but knew nothing about it so found this a really interesting place

Emily in Ecuador said...

Yes, Vancouver certainly seems like the perfect V subject for you this year, Hilary. It looks so beautiful. I have not heard of Gastown but I think I would like walking around there, soaking up history.

Emily In Ecuador

Lynn said...

My sister visited there and made me want to visit, too! Lovely area.

Lynda Dietz said...

I have friends who moved to Vancouver from the US for work, and they love it. I'm not sure I'd want to be known as "Gassy" but maybe Jack didn't mind.

M. Denise C. said...

I have really wanted to visit Vancouver and Victoria for a long time and must make it a priority!

DMS said...

I have heard that Vancouver is a wonderful place to visit- but I really didn't know much about it. I came to the right place. I learned so much. Sounds fascinating. Thanks for sharing. :)
~Jess

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Jo-Anne - delighted to read you found this interesting ...

@ Emily - I'm sure it's a wonderful city to spend a few days looking around and then some as one explores further. It sounds amazingly beautiful ...

@ Lynn - well I hope you'll get up here sometime ...

@ Lynda - that's excellent ... a place to stay in or at least to have guides to show you around. I guess the 'gassy' bit was to do with the ale house ... but perhaps something less healthy!!

@ Denise - well delighted you've realised how wonderful this area is ... and I'm sure most of Canada falls into the delightful to visit tag ...

@ Jess - that's great - this is such a summary - so appreciate that you felt you learnt sufficient to give you an inkling into the city itself ...

Thanks everyone - so pleased to see you all ... Vancouver enthralls many ... so do visit if you can - cheers Hilary

aFieldtriplife.com said...

Vancouver is one of the few places that I've visited in Canada. Reading this post makes me realize that it is time to go back.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Claire - I haven't yet spent any time over the water and need to get some time in Vancouver ... I hope to get there sometime this summer - I too hope you'll get to go back - cheers Hilary