Vancouver's Historical South Granville Neighbourhood, More than a Century of Great Style!

Celebrating A Century on South Granville 1907-2007

It took only a century to grow from our humble beginnings as a place where vacationers pitched their tents to becoming one of Vancouver's premier shopping and cultural destinations. Almost grown up now, we're looking ahead to the next one hundred years; the best is yet to come.

In honour of its first one hundred years, South Granville had plenty of reasons to celebrate. First, it’s always been a desirable and somewhat exclusive destination: before the Granville Street Bridge was built, and before the street was rechristened from Center to Granville Street in 1907, Vancouverites rowed across the water to pitch their tents in what was then a pristine wilderness. Second, the same year, Douglas Lodge was opened. And third, plans were drawn up for Shaughnessy Heights, perhaps the most exclusive subdivision of that time.

Since we had a name, a building, and an entire subdivision, we’re sure you’ll agree this gave us enough reasons to pick 1907 as the ‘birth date’ of South Granville. We may not have an actual ‘birth certificate’, but we celebrated one hundred years of growth and development on Granville as if we did. By the time Mayor David Oppenheimer opened the new bridge connecting it to downtown on January 4, 1889, government insiders who knew about the bridge were already buying up many of the lots in neighbouring Shaughnessy. This genteel neighbourhood was then a parcel of forest owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was named after its president, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy and according to local Historian, Lisa Smedman, “Shaughnessy Heights was the brainchild of Richard Marpole, general executive assistant of the Canadian Pacific Railway".

He announced in March 1907 that the Canadian Pacific Railway would create a new subdivision, and later told the Vancouver Daily Province that it would be the "Nob Hill of Vancouver"—a reference to San Francisco’s most posh residential district. In the fall of 1907, plans were drawn up for what would come to be known as "First Shaughnessy"—423 acres of land between West 15th and King Edward avenues, bounded on the east by Oak Street and on the west by the B.C. Electric Railway Vancouver—Lulu Island interurban line (modern "Arbutus Street").

And posh it was though in 1909, a mere $50 cash deposit would buy you a lot in Shaughnessy—which shows just how far we’ve come. By 1914, eighty percent of the residents were in the Social Register. Some of Vancouver’s most palatial residences were built then, and many are still standing today. One of its most beautiful mansions, the Glen Brae, now houses Canuck Place, a hospice for sick children.

The Canadian Pacific Railway also created Fairview in 1890. To encourage building, they gave parcels of land to the Vancouver Tramway Company, which laid the first tramline tracks all the way to 9th Avenue, now Broadway, in 1891. Until 1922, people drove on Granville Street English fashion, that is, on the left side. Naturally, the residents of Shaughnessy shopped on South Granville, establishing the standards of excellence prevalent today. Galleries and the Stanley Theatre soon followed, giving the area its cultural cache.

The Beginning of a Love Affair on South Granville

A love affair that has had it’s ups and downs but shows no signs of abating.

The Stanley has been a beloved fixture on the street ever since it opened on December 15, 1930, with a screening of Lilian Gish’s first talkie, One Romantic Night. It was the beginning of a love affair that has had its ups and downs but shows no signs of abating. Original admission prices ranged from 10 to 40 cents, and included the feature, a comedy, a newsreel and a scenic. The Stanley was the only theatre in Vancouver where not one, but two Saturday Matinees could be seen by young moviegoers for the incredible price of ten cents.

Along with the street, the Stanley started to decline during the late 80s, and it was closed in 1991. There was even talk of tearing it down. But thanks to a group of dedicated citizens and investors, it rose again as a newly refurbished, legitimate theatre in 1997, ushering in a new era of continuing expansion and improvement. We are now so used to seeing crowds of students lining up for Matinees and elegant couples strolling into the theatre after a dinner at one of our fine restaurants that it seems like it’s always been that way. And in a way, that’s true. Whether a movie house or a live theatre, The Stanley has been and continues to be one of our major attractions. If nothing else, South Granville is proof that a vibrant Arts scene contributes immeasurably to a healthy and prosperous business community.

As the business community grew, the first merchant association sprang up. More than sixty years ago, at a luncheon meeting at the I.O.O.F. Hall on West 8th Avenue, a “businessmen’s association of the merchants of South Granville” was formed. One of their first official acts was to approve street decorations for the King’s visit during the summer of 1939. In what the Province newspaper called “an ambitious scheme”, they agreed to decorate eleven blocks of South Granville Street with streamers, flags and a special Royal welcome banner, stretched across Granville at 12th Avenue. The cost for the project was $450.00.

In 2007 preparation for our 100th birthday proved to be an exciting adventure. What started as an excuse for a community event mushroomed into a grand love affair with old stories, old pictures and anything remotely associated with our South Granville neighbourhood.

Stories that came forward included the rumour that a horse was stabled on top of Douglas Lodge at 12th Avenue and apparently the light fixture at Chapman’s is still from the days when it was a funeral parlor. We even found a 93 year old, South Granville postman who now lives at Chalmers Lodge. He is a delight and his stories hearken back to a day when he could hear the church bells from the First Baptist Church on Burrard Street as well as the sights and sounds of the mini golf that used to reside at 14th Avenue. What fun!

What we have appreciated most is people’s affection for our neighbourhood and, in particular, the Stanley Theatre. We are hearing endless appreciation for its place in our community. We also hear how the Stanley makes us unique in a city that is becoming more homogeneous by the minute. At a time when all we seem to discuss is the Walmartization of our retail world, it is heartening to see the Stanley Theatre and independent businesses thriving on South Granville.