As this brochure from 1927 shows, tourism has long been a key part of Vancouver's economy.
This was to cater to a growing type of tourist at the time: car users. Cars were not common in Vancouver until the early 20th century. Initially, cars were only used by the wealthiest residents to get around the city.
By the 1920s, automobiles were becoming increasingly popular: in 1925, there were over 56,000 automobiles in British Columbia, a province of about 600,000 people (though the majority of automobiles remained in Metro Vancouver and Victoria).
Intercity travel was not immediately possible because of the infrastructure that needed to be developed. Canada's first gas station opened in Vancouver in 1907. Motorists drove on the other side of the road until 1922.
And highways were a relatively new concept (the first modern highway for automobiles in North America was built in New York state in 1911). Many routes between cities were paved. Vancouver didn't yet use traffic lights, and the first traffic signal wouldn't appear until 1928.
This pamphlet was published in 1927 to guide new visitors to Vancouver. Not only does it provide information about Vancouver to recent visitors, it also covers specific matters for motorists, such as driving route lengths, parking regulations, and how to use public transportation.
When it comes to speeding, the guidelines are a little more relaxed than B.C.'s current guidelines.
“All drivers must control their speed so as not to exceed a reasonable speed, taking into account all aspects of the circumstances,” the pamphlet advises.
What is “reasonable” is not defined. Cars in the 1920s were, on average, much slower than cars today, but the first car capable of speeds over 200 miles per hour was built that year.
Interesting facts
Perhaps the highlight for someone almost 100 years later is the list of interesting facts (slide 2).
Some are basic, but some still ring true: for example, Greater Vancouver is the third largest city in the Dominion, has a year-round port, and is the commercial centre of BC.
Other highlights include Stanley Park and Hastings Park, with their exhibit areas and “Happy Land” (the precursor to Playland).
Some may find Vancouver's reputation at the time amusing: “Vancouver is famous as an 'own your own home' city, with many fine mansions,” one factoid reads.
Some of the other facts are pretty accurate but probably won't make it into a travel brochure in 2024. For example, here are some facts about Metro Vancouver back then:
Over 60 sawmills, lumber mills, and lumber mills, 6 grain elevators, 141.4 miles of streetcar system, and over 125 churches.
Other facts are more likely to draw visitors: 38 theaters, more than 50 parks, three racetracks and 15 bowling alleys.
In particular, the brochure proclaims that “Greater Vancouver has unlimited power,” which seems like an almost impossibly boastful fact.
The map shows the roads in the local city.
The pamphlet also features three street maps: of downtown Vancouver, the Metro Vancouver region, and New Westminster, the second largest city in the region at the time.
The map shows how much downtown Vancouver has changed: the eastern end of False Creek has been filled in, the waterfront at Vancouver Harbour has been completely remodeled (the piers are marked with ship destinations, just like a rail terminal), and the rail line has expanded significantly across the city.
Signs mark the areas that still stand, including the courthouse (now an art museum), the Carnegie Library (now the Carnegie Community Center), and the “new” Orpheum Theatre (now a National Historic Site).
