West Vancouver is one of Canada’s wealthiest municipalities, a place where many people come to live, work or retire. It has an abundance of parks and quiet neighbourhoods, and is a great place to raise children.
The city is also a major tourist destination. Visitors can go on cruises or visit the aquarium or museum.
John Lawson
In 1700, John Lawson departed from England for the New World on his own. The twenty-six year old had a natural curiosity that was fueled by his desire to learn about the world around him. He had a knack for hard work, and he learned early on that hard work was a way to get what you wanted.
Despite his parents’ disapproval, Lawson decided to leave school and work in the mines. This was a common practice at the time for those who could not afford to go to university or to join the military. The arduous hours and poor working conditions were often met with violence, but Lawson persevered, eventually earning a living as a coal miner and helping to change laws that protected his fellow workers from dangerous and unsafe working conditions.
As a result of his hard work, Lawson became a union member and eventually led the miners’ movement to win better wages and safer working conditions for all workers. He worked to make sure his fellow miners had a fair deal, and he is responsible for many of the labour rights we have today, including a 40-hour work week and a ban on child labor.
Lawson was a keen collector, and sent plant samples and animal skins to James Petiver, a London apothecary who helped to establish the British Museum. When Petiver died in 1718, Lawson’s specimens and notes were passed on to Hans Sloane, who compiled them into the British Museum’s first collection of plants.
It was in this period that Lawson came to know the region that would become West Vancouver, North Carolina. He spent the next years exploring the area, acquiring a rich knowledge of its plants and animals. He also wrote a book about his travels, The History of Carolina.
The Ferry Building
The Ferry Building has been at the centre of West Vancouver’s history since it was built in 1913. It’s an important part of the community’s identity and provides an opportunity for local artists to showcase their work.
In the early 1900s, when West Vancouver was still a summer resort, there were several ferries that plied Burrard Inlet between Ambleside and Gastown. Until the Lions Gate Bridge was completed in 1938, the ferry service was the most convenient way to travel between West Vancouver and the city center.
But as more people moved into the area, it became increasingly difficult for a ferry to compete with buses and other modes of transportation. Eventually, a referendum was held to determine whether the public wanted to keep the ferries in operation. The majority voted to discontinue the service.
After the Lions Gate Bridge was built, the ferries had a hard time keeping up with the increasing number of commuters and traffic. Moreover, the cost of fuel, as well as gas rationing, caused the ferries to stop operating in 1947.
Today, The Ferry Building continues to serve the community in a variety of ways. It is home to the District of West Vancouver’s art gallery and serves as a hub for arts, culture and education on the North Shore.
The gallery is a public art space that presents up to 18 exhibitions each year and is supported by 60-plus volunteers who volunteer their time to run programs and events. The gallery also hosts art lectures, workshops and tours.
Currently, The Ferry Building is being restored as a heritage site and re-purposed as a public art gallery. The restoration includes raising the structure to higher ground, seismic upgrades, flood proofing, accessible washrooms and more. The gallery is scheduled to open this winter.
The Lions Gate Bridge
The Lions Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in Vancouver. People come from all over the world to cross this bridge, whether it’s for a scenic bike ride or snowboarding on the North Shore.
The bridge is built in a suspension design, which means it’s a roadway suspended from cables that are anchored into the ground at either end. It’s one of the longest suspension bridges in Canada, and it’s a world-class landmark.
It was built to connect the city of Vancouver with West Vancouver and the North Shore. The developers of the land in West Vancouver had problems with the traffic and were looking to build a road to get across the water.
Construction began in March 1937 and it opened in 1938. It was named the Lions Gate Bridge, after two peaks in North Vancouver that look like lions sitting on the ground.
A popular tourist attraction, it was designed to provide people with better access to the British Properties area in West Vancouver. Taylor, the visionary behind the project, wanted to give Vancouver a landmark like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Taylor chose a suspension design for several reasons. First, he didn’t want to block marine traffic. Second, he wanted to create a long structure that was cheap to build. Finally, he wanted to keep the structure open to traffic during the day.
The engineers who built and renovated the Lions Gate Bridge were honoured on a plaque in Stanley Park. It’s a tribute to the many engineers who helped make the bridge a world-class landmark.
The British Properties
British Properties, a high-end residential area in west vancouver, is home to million dollar homes and breathtaking views. These luxury homes are located near parks, shopping centers and outdoor activities.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a new home in this neighbourhood, including the availability of schools, transportation options, and more. The preferred mode of transportation in this neighbourhood is usually driving, as most streets are well-maintained and accessible.
Fortunately, the neighborhood is connected by several bus lines and nearby highways. However, the bicycling network in this area is not very well-developed and can be quite strenuous due to the sloping terrain.
As a result, the residents of British Properties must have a car to reach their destination. Additionally, it may be difficult for families to find daycares in this area as the neighbourhood is not very walkable.
But the owners of British Properties should not be worried about their community as it is undergoing a transformation to be more diverse in its demographics. The district council has passed a motion that will look into removing covenants that discriminate against people of colour from the neighbourhood.
The first part of this process is to identify the properties that contain these clauses and have them removed from the property. Then, the district will work with B.C.’s Land Title and Survey Authority to ensure that this does not happen again.
The British Properties is a unique neighbourhood that has a rich history and a beautiful landscape. It is also a neighbourhood that has one of the lowest crime rates in Canada. But, like all neighborhoods, there are still some risks to be considered.
Sewell’s Marina
Sewell’s Marina in Horseshoe Bay has been operating since 1931, offering self-drive boat rentals, Sea Safari wildlife eco-tours and guided salmon fishing. West Vancouver residents have been loyal to this family business for many years, a testament to the friendly staff who are passionate about sharing their love of the sea with visitors.
The Marina specializes in Sea Quest group Scavenger Hunts using boats, and is the perfect venue for team building events of all sizes. These safe, fun and unique adventures will give you a whole new perspective on Vancouver!
Guests are also invited to visit Sewell’s Lookout Coffee House in the Ocean Adventure Center. This cozy, family-friendly spot serves coffee and treats to visitors and locals alike.
For more than 75 years, Sewell’s has been the go-to place for people interested in marine adventures. They’ve specialized in tours that tread the line between education and adventure, sending speedboats to see cliffs teeming with bald eagles, seals and other marine birds.
They’ve also mastered the art of salmon fishing, a sport that’s become a major draw for tourists to West Vancouver. They’re well-versed in all of the prime fishing grounds and have access to all of the specialized gear needed for a successful day on the water.
In addition to their Sea Quest scavenger hunts and eco-tours, Sewell’s offers an array of different boat rentals including jet skis, jon boats and inflatable kayaks. They also offer a range of activities like the Fishing Derby, where participants compete for a prize. These activities are a great way to get outside, explore the surrounding area and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. The marina is located in the heart of Horseshoe Bay, one of the most picturesque areas of West Vancouver.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.