1906::A Wet Day on West Hastings Street in Vancouver, British Columbia

A west coast rainy day in the big city.

"1906::A Wet Day on West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia"

Photo: City of Vancouver Archives (CVA 677-584)

A little west coast weather has rarely ever stopped Vancouverites from walking to where they need to be. In 1906, an unknown photographer captured this rainy-day scene while standing on the corner of Homer Street on West Hastings, looking North toward Richards Street.

"1906::The Butler Hotel on West Hastings Street in Vancouver, British Columbia"

Photo: City of Vancouver Archives (CVA 359-38)

McMillan's Jewellers had recently opened its doors in the brand-new Jones Building on the corner. Its electric sign became a downtown landmark and was dismantled in 1912 when the business was bought out and relocated. The Butler Hotel had also just opened its doors. It had taken over Vancouver's popular decade-old 'Real Estate Saloon' which had moved to West Hastings in 1903 from Cambie Street. The new hotel continued to build on the old saloon's classy reputation and eventually, in its own polished style, it became the best watering hole in Vancouver. In 1917, however, when Vancouver's new prohibition laws were rolled out, the hotel was permanently closed down and replaced with a fine bone china shop. The Boston Dentists who had also taken up residence in the new Jones Building had moved on by 1910, and John Walker's Clothing Store in the distance was sold and relocated shortly after this photo was taken. Many of the buildings in the photo still stand today.