CITY REFLECTIONS: VANCOUVER 1907 | 2007

On May 7, 1907, Seattle filmmaker William Harbeck captured street scenes in Vancouver, Canada on movie film. Shot from the front of a moving B.C. Electric Railway streetcar, this is the earliest known surviving film footage of the city. See the residents of 1907 going to work, shopping, cycling. See Vancouver landmarks like the first Hotel Vancouver, the Carnegie Library, the Hudson's Bay store.
One hundred years later in 2007, we take a trip down the same streets and note a century of change. Compare the same street scenes recorded 100 years ago.
Presented by the Vancouver Historical Society. Winner of the 2009 City of Vancouver Heritage Award and BC Historical Federation Merit Award.

[@AnthonyMaw]

Harbeck did a filming trip to European cities after this film was made but unfortunately booked his return voyage on the Titanic. Survivors recall seeing a man filming around the ship before it sank that took Harbeck's life and his films he shot up to 1912.

[@donnaperez7025]

I remember riding a streetcar with my mother about 71 years ago. Very interesting!

[@fareedthetailor]

Love this history. My family were tailors back in British India/Pakistan at the time. The tradition was alive for 3 centuries til it was finished around the 1940s or so. I discovered all this in 2013 and revived it. I am now a full-time tailor and my company is 6 years this month. Proud to have revived an old family legacy across the globe in Canada. Wish we could all cherish our history and dig deep into it more often.

[@margaretnylandnyland4735]

What an achievement! Congratulations!

[@fareedthetailor]

@@margaretnylandnyland4735 Thank you!

[@fareedthetailor]

@M C You could do that for sure! Carrying that legacy on for them would be amazing.

[@christiebiscuts2340]

That was the most enjoyable hour I had in a long long time.

[@MB-to5gl]

You should check out porn...

[@iancampbell168]

I moved to Vancouver in 2009, this was so interesting to learn what certain buildings were then-buildings I see on a daily basis....and now watching this in 2019, so many more changes since this video in 2007! Crazy! LOVE Vancouver!

[@kendesjarlais7577]

Ian Campbell been here 60 years. Still love it

[@UnsealedComic6]

@@kendesjarlais7577 I've been here for 70 years from Fiji

[@Professor_Sex]

@@UnsealedComic6 you have not bruh 💀

[@UnsealedComic6]

@@Professor_Sex 80 years then.

[@Professor_Sex]

@@UnsealedComic6 Oh my mistake sir

[@mycoincollection5786]

Wow~ Wow~ even 1907 Vancouver was clean, self organized and beautiful even to this date, thank you for the valued history shared~

[@sandrastreifel6452]

Except for the horse 💩piles on the streets!

[@paulboileau3758]

Clean??! LOL, did you miss the open sewage ditches, garbage and debris piles in the neighbourhoods and the horse manure all over the streets? This was a filthy, stinky, unhealthy cesspool. Don't be fooled.

[@paulboileau3758]

Test

[@williamshaw2417]

The Seattle filmmaker William Harbeck was also the official filmmaker of the British ocean liner Titanic. He was on board on April 15, 1912.

[@terryl3948]

A wonderful compilation of the City of Vancouver. Thank You.

[@frigerzoid]

Amazing quality of this footage, great piece of history!

[@alpacino9226]

There were no trees on the side of roads but now lots of trees. It makes me happy.

[@FarideLadak]

This was a great opportunity to see how the city transformed completely based on the advent of technology as well as economic growth, mergers, acquisitions, new businesses, and the growth in population. The side by side provided additional perspective and context. How about making a comparison every 25 years, hence, filming it 2032. The next twelve years should have some more changes. There were many changes in Vancouver prior to Expo 86 and subsequently. Thank you

[@shyamlynn243]

An enjoyable program, thank you. I had the pleasure of spending time and living in Vancouver from 1980 to 2016. A Very remarkable place in many ways for sure. I'd love to film in 2107 for ya but i'll be long dead by then as i'm sure I won't live to be 136 years old.

[@FarideLadak]

Shyam Lynn, you never know.

[@personincognito3989]

People are living into them on to hand over a hundred all the time now in Canada so you do never know

[@ShonaMcMillan]

I absolutely LOVE your film. So much work went in to producing what you have and I think it is excellent. WELL DONE!

[@markdemell3717]

Jay walking was not ticketed ,yet.

[@JoseighBlogs]

From beginning of the clip at 2:44 young lads chase after a horse drawn cart and climb onto it for a free ride. One little fellow can't quite keep up - he almost falls, and manages to steady himself and veer away out of danger from oncoming trams and horses no doubt ready to try his luck again with the next passing cart. This old ciné film brings poignantly to life ghosts of a busy, bustling workaday urban Vancouver history. So engaged are we ogling through that old ciné lens their long ago past lives. We, from our forward time zone, are right back there with them. It's incredibly moving to view these wonderful old archived ciné shots. Who knows if any Canadian grand or great grandchild hasn't, unbeknownst, viewed just now their forebears crossing one of those Vancouver streets? Thank you

[@thewetmovement9060]

May I ask you what your educational background is? You write very eloquently.

[@JoseighBlogs]

'Why - thank you'... I grew up as an orphan within the UK care system. Failing the eleven+ examination I attended a Secondary Modern School rather than the more academic Grammar School. After leaving school I went on to Art College - afterwards doing a stint working in advertising. Quite a while later between hitchhiking around Europe and volunteering in social care places back in Blighty I got into teaching after attending teacher training college. I'm now retired - well, kind of... Thank you again for your kind comment. "And, as the late Irish comedian Dave Allen always said at the end of his shows "May Your God Go With You".

[@JoseighBlogs]

@Laila Sergani Wow! Thank you Laila ~ It's just that viewing such old cinematic archive gems as this has us all mesmerised and empathetic with how the world once was.

[@jeanettewells5785]

Fantastic really enjoyed this film Wonderful to see old Vancouver

[@dlo111]

Love the side by side old/new filming. Well done.

[@ant-1382]

Nicely done. The commentary by well known B.C. figures was an excellent addition. Funny after all these years ( it's 2024 now ) recognized Grace McCarthy's voice instantly.

[@louisemckinney1021]

That was so amazing to see the past and what everything looked like the one for me growing up was the Woodwards building I remember that as if it was yesterday my parents would take me there to go shopping and i always remember going there to buy our dogs dogfood from there I can even still see the cans of dogfood we bought it used to have a big huge saint Bernard on them and they came in the colors blue and red and possibly a green one not too sure !!!!??? But boy what a memory to remember THANKYOU again that's just so so amazing walking around back into time!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!🍁🇨🇦🍁💔👍🌹✝️🛐🙏🕊️🌹💯🏆💞💕

[@bernielhirondelle2309]

I've seen many pictures depicting the old buildings and streets but, never had a real knowledge of where anything really was or located. I now have a new understanding of what was where and what's there now. I've always loved Vancouver and always will. I lived in Vancouver and in Richmond for a few years back in '89 thru to '94. I am hoping to return to Vancouver someday real soon. I sure miss that city.........

[@garyfrancis6193]

You can keep it.

[@hen3916]

Amazing what has changed and what has remained. Great narration. Thanks for posting.

[@HowardBaileyMusic]

I watched this same video with added sound but they said it was Victoria LOL - I really enjoyed this. Especially the side by side comparison. Thank You!

[@ianpotter2128]

This video was the best hour I had spent in a long time. Job well done!!!

[@scotyfilms]

What a time capsule! So many beautiful buildings torn down!

[@gord2358]

Fascinating video. Thank you for posting.

[@temptail]

Awesome job!, I appreciate all the work that was done here, thank you

[@mikegrant2682]

What an amazing video. Thank you so much !!!!

[@ManifestingDaily1111]

Thumbs up from East Van 2019👍❤️

[@forexdragon]

I love this film! Incredible.

[@nblumer]

Turns on Hastings and Davies If you haven't got time for the whole narration: So basically the ride is along Granville, Hastings one route - Carrall, Cordova, Cambie, back to Hastings the other . . . Vancouver was about 70,000 people in 1907, booming but 3 months away from race riots Starting down Granville 1. It starts at the Hotel Vancouver 2. It passes Georgia street - at about .36 you can see the Hudson’s Bay is on the corner of Granville and Georgia on the right where it still is today) 3. I can see the store Brooke (no idea what kind of goods or service sold here) It passes Dunsmuir There’s a Bank of Montreal on the right 4. It’s not easy to see but at about 1:10 is The Japanese Store on right called Sun Ban 5. The now-vanished second CPR depot at the foot of Granville, 6. The Old Post office at 1:28 is to the left of the CPR at the corner of Granville and Hastings It then swings right onto Hastings which is Vancouver’s banking district for a long ride 7. Pass the famous clock on the corner called the Birks clock recently restored and outside of Montreal-based jeweler, Henry Birks & Sons, (in 1907 it was bought out by Trorey’s Jewelry but they kept the clock ) 8. It passes Seymour and you can’t see it well but on the left is Molson’s Bank To the left is Fit-rite - that was a suits & hats company opened in 1907 9. On the right is the Dominion Assay Office building. The Dominion Building is not yet constructed yet and it is on the opposite side 10. The Westinghouse office building is on the right and the Flack block is on the left 11. The original Vancouver Daily Province newspaper building 140-142 W. Hastings St. I think it may have been just a printing company back then. 12. You get the Woodward’s on the corner of Hastings and Abott at 2:52 You get the BC Electric company at about 3:16 on the left at Hastings & Carall. There seems to be construction just before it 13. Wo Sang’s Merchant Tailor - see page 38 of a study here on Chinese Merchant Tailors 14. Knowlton Drugs and seeds is at the end and pretty easy to see 15. At about 3:34 look down the street and you can see Carnegie Library (1903) & Community Centre, Now the filming starts in a different direction. We don’t know why but it starts at Carall and Cordova heading the opposite direction 1. Start at Carall Street Woods hotel is on left Ranier Café & Hotel is on right (3.43) (both still stands today going south we then turn on Cordova going west 2.P. Burns (meat packer) can be seen easily on the left 3. New Fountain Hotel at 4.08 on the right 4 “Cascade: A Beer Without Peer.” Is at the end in a big sign 5 It now turns left on Cambie to link to Hasting 6 We see Herman House Co. Real Estate just at the corner linking to Hastings

[@ma1c0lm81]

Not all heroes wear Capes

[@petersoda8787]

Crazy. I currently work at the structube at 140 W. Hastings. Had no idea it used to be the Vancouver Daily Province... Amazing.

[@sandrastreifel6452]

Some of the celebrities narrating the 2007 film are very familiar to Vancouverites of decades past!

[@margaretnylandnyland4735]

Thank you very much. Enjoyed every moment, and learned a great deal about Vancouver.

[@ragellejean]

The city's transit seems to have barely changed in the past 100 years. Horse-drawn carriages have become cars, abundant streetcars have become buses, and bikes weave through the streets in the space in between.

[@chandermohan1134]

Yes, the same rush for money which was then in gold and silver coins. Model of the cycles too is the same. Indeed industrialism market economy, massive concretes and urbanisation had already touched their height by then. SriRam.

[@davidbanks566]

A minor correction at 13:08. The Bank of Montreal Building (by then occupied by the Imperial Bank Of Canada) was torn down in the mid 1950s, not the 1970s. The new Imperial Bank opened in 1957 iiirc, now a Shopper’s Drug Mart.

[@hudzgh]

Absolutely brilliant production!

[@cherylpurdue888]

Fascinating to watch😊🌺

[@myswanktrendz]

I really enjoyed this video, thanks to the link Eve Lazarus provided. I have to wonder what the 'background stories' are of those people who post such disparaging observations, and/or overt hatred of Vancouver and its inhabitants. I moved to Vancouver in 1979 and have seen a lot of changes, and growth, over the years. However, I have never witnessed aggressive or rude behaviour from anyone I have smiled at, nodded to, or warmly greeted. Maybe it is your countenance, or some type of resentment you inadvertently radiate that brings you so many negative encounters? I love this city as much as when I first moved here, and any negative experiences I encountered can easily be traced back to how I responded or reacted to a situation. I have no problem acknowledging my contribution (good or bad) to an encounter because, after all, interactions require more than one person.

[@juleso9]

The very first dash cam!

[@dD-gq1lu]

Wow, the last 10 minutes were just awesome

[@AStupidTourist]

Sitting in my living room looking at Carnegie while this video plays

[@antipodesman2]

The comments at the end are far more optimistic about the future than most people would be today.

[@DeanNoble14748]

It would be a miracle if this was ever colourized, 4K with time correct motion. It would cost about $100,000 and would take 2 years. There so many fine details to colourize. Also going North up Granville Street in the 1907 footage, the mountains aren't seen.

[@RK-hw9tg]

Amazing at 46:46 going opposite direction down one way Cordova Street and not encountering a single car coming the other way.

[@alexbritch02]

Lmaoo

[@MaratReziapov]

Digitally remastered version of this footage was released by NASS a few days ago, now it's 1080p/60fps

[@thomasthompson5257]

What a great record.

[@whaleoilbeefhooked3892]

Amazing period, back in the day when Vancouverites thought they lived on a spinning wet marble in a vacuum chasing a fire ball into infinity. Well Done!

[@protein1]

Awesome video, you're a champ!

[@LtJackboot]

I wish there was a 5 star system, I'd give this 5

[@wilfredwitzke2607]

those were amazing times it didnt change for the better

[@zakwindle8859]

Oh man, imagine how much it has probably changed from 2007 to now!

[@marianasilvestrin5840]

Amazing video, great info. Thank you,

[@natashafiket6838]

Wonderful:) So glad I found it!

[@jay1970]

All of these people had stories, hopefully someone still remembers them. What will b my legacy? Who will remember me? What they will remember about me?

[@braelonoliver3529]

jay1970 Unfortunately unless you’re famous we’ll get forgotten eventually. In 100+ years we’ll just be another name on a genealogy search

[@blakemerrithew9162]

@@braelonoliver3529 All the lucky ones got put alive on film so we can see them today as they were. No name cant see the face even, but its more then most get.

[@giuseppedimarco8358]

Interesting !and Knowledgeable! I enjoyed it verymuch! thanks!

[@garyfrancis6193]

The brand names peculiar to British Columbia such as : Roger’s sugar, Nabob coffee, Purdy’s chocolate bring back memories of my childhood even though I haven’t lived in North America for over 30 years. I remember Pacific condensed milk and Sun-Rype fruit juice growing up in the Okanagan. It’s only on leaving I realized those brands were specific to that region. I have seen one or two far away from there in Europe and Asia.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Nabob was popular in Ontario also. I have Nabob cans full of nuts and bolts in our boat shed. Apparently it was around for deades before making it this far east back in the 80s.

[@momsterous]

@28:18 The Holden building under construction. 16 E Hastings St.

[@AnjellaBenz]

Wonderful film footage ♡

[@lorieianni6750]

Wow very cool thank you for those made this possible

[@DeOndertoon]

Playing Froggger appears huge back when :)

[@jasonlahey1550]

Vancouver was much cleaner in 2007. I forgot about how much nicer it was.

[@653j521]

Trolley cameras were all the rage then. There are similar movies from many cities.

[@jamesbrewster8947]

such a well made video!

[@mikeos1]

They should have mentioned the sad end of William Harbeck, who went down with the Titanic, taking all his film of the maiden voyage with him.

[@25Soupy]

So many people walking on the streets, now it's just a sea of cars with few people on foot.

[@stephaniegaudreau4755]

If some of the people who are pictured in the 1907 film could see this now........ I wonder what they would say

[@prabhgill8825]

I am thinking the same thing

[@je55777]

This is so fun to watch

[@245194LAC]

I left Vancouver in 1979 and Woodward's Dept. Store was closed by then not in 1992. It was deserted for quite a while. I know because I went to UBC there and drove cab on the weekend in East Van. for Suburban Taxi that was owned by Ernie DeCicco. The dispatcher was Jim Steele. Tough place to drive cab was East Hastings, particularly on the weekend. The loggers came to town, stayed at the Regent Hotel to play cards. The Greeks came in from the ships that were picking up grain at the United Grain Growers Dock or the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool in North Vancouver and went to the Village Gardens on the corner of East Hastings and Clark Drive to let off some steam and get lucky. They did both very well. I hate to see the East side in such poor condition. Homelessness is a real problem there. I see the Blarney Stone is there on Carroll Street where the liquor store once was. It was opened by the Irish Rovers. Good times back then . . . .

[@personincognito3989]

Somehow you have your information incorrect about Woodward's. I was married in 1984 and my spouse works there for quite a few years and it was open for many years after that. It most certainly did not close in 1979. It closed Jan 15 1993.

[@estycki]

Bikes, bikes everywhere, for over 100 years 🚲 😂

[@markdemell3717]

Best way to get around.

[@wretchedslippage3255]

This is wonderful stuff!! Im so into this local history!

[@Oldjongcrow416]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MichaelZed789]

I remember the Dunsmuir tunnel entrance behind what is now Costco. No one talked about it. I found that odd. Every time I walked by the huge door had several more heavy duty locks on it. There would definitely have been an empty tunnel cavity between that door and the part they actually used for the sky train tunnel but I'm pretty sure I've seen a video of it being caved in, labeled as such.

[@edwardandrews1241]

The first dashcam

[@je55777]

that's adorable

[@gord2358]

Edward Andrews - lmao!

[@Shadowmick]

Beautiful

[@1cmman]

To me Vancouver was far more beautiful in 1907 than today. Such a shame that old station building wasn´t preserved. I don´t like modern construction at all.

[@ericaespinosa4030]

Me too. I completely agree with you. I can't stand how Vancouver looks today. We are losing our history, our skyline and our houses. I am just so saddened at how Vancouver has become. It went into complete exaggeration of modern construction

[@thetzar671]

Cathedrals are way older than there tellin you and there not religious churches there energy free energy sources … all old buildings w anntennas are way way older they are lying too everyone that’s why you like old geometric buildings

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

@@thetzar671 Tit.

[@glenng.8254]

Wonderful!

[@UltimateBargains]

It's like watching ghosts who don't know they're long gone forever.

[@GeminiSnowFlake]

No one from this year is living today. Even the newborns are gone. This is all is really History. 🙏

[@eileenharder2473]

yes. my dad born 1908. gone

[@marioandrikopoulos2158]

I Love the Old Time 👍

[@shihyuchu6753]

Bert Thomas of Northern Building Supply was one of the driving forces of Vancouver

The CPR had a profound effect on the lower mainland

[@Rishemilano]

Maybe this is the Time Machine people have been talking about.. we just traveled back to 1907 guys!

[@GUTOMOFFICIAL]

I love the music!

[@coryharry7300]

Fantastic.

[@CorrinaConlan]

Wonderful

[@Karlosangeles1]

I`m surprised that the Woodward squatters were not mentioned.In 2002-03,they were able to overturn a Supreme Court ruling setting precedence regarding squatters rights across Canada..That was 20 years ago that all of that was happening.I was there (long story shortened)in mayor Jim Greene`s tiny office discussing the situation (occupation of Woodward`s)with four of us crammed in there(my feet were nearly on his desk),it was amusing to say the least.He was a great guy who went out of his way to help and was definitely looking out for us simply out of kindness,not ego.I`ve lived at Woodward`s since 2010,when they finished redeveloping.

[@CastOnCalamity]

Awesome

[@katherinebibber6842]

William Harbeck was my 3rd cousin, once removed. He was a great videographer. Very scandalous personally. His body was recovered, body #35. He is buried in Ohio.😮

[@mrutube5880]

Watching this in 2024

[@Geoe423]

So good

[@genemccormick3935]

We had open tram car tours starting at Hastings and Cambie. I was a boy then with Mom and Dad. You also had your photo taken on the open tram car with all the riders. I still have the original 8 inch wide photo. A open tram car was street car with no roof and no side side windows nor front windows. It was electric with a trolley pole at the back.

[@tinahoffman7290]

♫💜 OMG you mean that gorgeous historical structure beyond the bridge at the curve at TIMELINE 44:30 is not there anymore ?!?!?

[@gvevers1]

Right on!!!!!!

[@waynethompson5770]

In the side by side at 44:52 The same potholes are in both images...

[@CookiesCritterCare]

Seems like people back then are way smarter than today's people

[@CorrinaConlan]

Wish they never took away the trams!

[@michellecarew7778]

Lots of trammys

[@dallasgrful]

This is great!

[@stpat7614]

Notice streetcars run on the left side of the street. Also, pedestrians cross wherever they want to.

[@JayKarpwick]

BC was one of the last provinces to switch to driving on the right side. It was mostly done for compatibility with US practices.

[@soag123]

It used to be a beautiful part of the city, now the Downtown East side is a Sh!t hole and all those old building have been turned into SRO’s and have been trashed by their residents. It’s a shame what happened to what once was a beautiful part of the city:(

[@davesmith1199]

I should have read the whole description or finished the video before commenting,lol.

[@jason-gf8dg]

DID Canada used to Drive on the left like England?

[@mikeos1]

Yes until 1922 I think,

[@vlesmeries]

Very cool. I guess the street cars are super slow lol. Even the horse-drawn carriages are passing it no problem.