A time travel to Vancouver in 1919

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Step into a time machine and journey with us to the bustling heart of Vancouver in 1919. This beautiful black-and-white photo, from the Vancouver Archives, looks south down Granville Street from Dunsmuir. The street exudes the energy of a city on the rise.

Your eyes are immediately drawn to the line of proud automobiles parked neatly along the curb. On the far left, a striking touring car gleams with its white tires and open top. Just in front of it sit two more elegant vehicles from the late 1910s — a testament to the refined craftsmanship of early motoring. A lone motorcyclist weaves his way through the hustle and bustle of traffic, an early symbol of urban freedom.

But the surroundings are just as captivating as the cars themselves. Dominating the background is the imposing Vancouver Block, crowned with its unmistakable clock tower. Just below it stands the stylish Birks Building, a branch of a well-known Eastern Canadian firm. A little farther down, across Georgia Street, once stood the old Hudson’s Bay building, demolished in 1926 to make way for the modern-day flagship that still anchors downtown.

And if you look closely, you’ll see more than just vehicles — you’ll catch a glimpse of everyday life from over a century ago. Stores like F.W. Woolworth Co. offered a mix of household goods and novelties. The shop with the bold name “Don't Argue” sold newspapers and tobacco — a cheeky nod to a time when advertising was still delightfully direct. Even a dentist, Dr. E.D. Washington, had a practice above the storefronts.

So next time you're in a busy downtown, remember that urban hustle is nothing new. Picture Granville Street in 1919 — with newsboys, elegant window displays, and a city just beginning to dream of modernity.

Photo by Steve Diggens via City of Vancouver Archives

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