Ah, White Rock. The quintessential summer hangout.
Whether you want to stroll on the promenade with a tasty ice cream cone, go shopping in the famers market, venture down its famous pier for some prime oceanic viewing, or simply have a bite to eat in one of its delectable eateries, there is something for you!
Marine Drive is a favourite of White Rock locals and Metro Vancouver alike. Boasting more sunshine than Vancouver, the strip takes on a blissfully cheery atmosphere. It’s a great alternative to busy streets and beaches in downtown Vancouver.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane to see how Marine Drive evolved into the spot we know and love.
White Rock: The Evolution Of Marine Drive
The first photo shows Marine Drive before it was even paved. The year was 1918, and the atmosphere was entirely different. Also, Marine Drive went under its original name – Washington Avenue.
In the second image we see Washington Ave meeting Martin Street looking West. During this period, in the 1930s, these streets were just recently paved with tar and gravel. There was also a disastrous fire during this period that led to the destruction all the buildings in the area. It was started in the Central hotel, and stretched from the theatre all the way to the Blue Moon hotel.
The third image illustrates a much more developed, booming era. Taken during the 1950s, the photo depicts the east end of Marine Drive in its beginning of what we’ve come to know as a thriving, summertime hotspot.
Take some more journeys through time in our posts on Expo 86 photos , The History Behind Vancouver’s Little Tokyo or the History of Burnaby. Also, check out our post on signs that you grew up in Surrey.
