604 Now
Photos

What Coal Harbour Looked Like 126 Years Ago

Coal Harbour

For us, Coal Harbour is Vancouver’s upmarket waterfront community home to glass-front condos, sweeping views of the North Shore’s snow-capped mountains and Canada Place.

However, Coal Harbour has a long history stretching back to the 1800s, and was once a booming industrial area. Discovered by Colonel Moody in 1859, low-grade coal was discovered in the area, naturally giving rise to its name.

RELATED: Stanley Park Once Had A Zoo And Here’s What It Was Like

In 1884, Coal Harbour became the terminus for the Canada Pacific Railway. For a long time Coal Harbour featured shipyards and seaplane ports, and became a thriving industrial area thanks to its convenient rail links with the rest of Canada.

From 1911, shipping piers were built and Bill Boeing established seaplane and boat factories, and the waterfront soon became a flourishing commercial area.

Old-Coal-Harbour
Photo Credit: Vancouver Archives

Many years later however, the Second World War brought great change. Coal Harbour was domination by ammunition factories and shipyards and a number of fires destroyed the docks in the 1950s.

In 1961, the Westin Bayshore Hotel was built and industries were removed in the 60s and 70s following the cessation of industrial activity.

Coal Harbour
Photo Credit: Vancouver Archives

In 1986 Canada Place was built, and the 1990s saw huge development plans that aimed to transform what was once an industrial hub into an upscale residential area. Development has since continued, and 20 years on we now have the stunning Coal Harbour that we know and love.

Coal-Harbour-Vintage
Photo Credit: Vancouver Archives

 

Aerial view of Coal Harbour, 2004

Coal Harbour
Photo Credit: See Vancouver BC

Coal Harbour Modern Day

Coal Harbour
Photo Credit: Ian MacDonald

 

Some more vintage Vancouver pictures you may enjoy:

 

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and be the first to know about the best things to explore and experience in Metro Vancouver.

Log in or create an account to save content

Become a local insider