Still '43

On November 11, 1943 - after being silence due to wartime shortages - our city's Famous Nine O'Clock gun fired again. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story of Vancouver's Nine O'Clock gun, please visit here to learn more.)

On November 13, local newspapers reported that the president of Army and Navy Department Stores Ltd, Samuel J. Cohen, had purchased the Dominion Bank Building. Rumour was that Cohen planned to turn this 15-storey, office building at the Northwest corner of Cambie and Hastings into a modern department store after the war. But that never happened.

According to Cohen's granddaughter, Jacqui Cohen, that was never the plan. Samuel bought the building because the price was right.

Christmas Day 1943 was a sad one for the Knowlton family. Edmund Shorey Knowlton died at the age of 75.

Knowlton was a pioneer druggist. Born in Newboro, Ontario in 1868, Knowlton came to B.C. in 1896 and opened 'Knowlton's Drug Store' a year later. He moved to store to a series of sites on Westminster (now Main Street) and Hastings before finally setting in 1911 at 15 E Hastings.

After his death, the company continued. In 1948, Knowlton's opened a second drug store in West Vancouver. In 1965, the name was changed to Knowlans Drugs but restored to the original name in 1970.

A famous 1907 film of Vancouver, which I will tell you about on Monday, shows one of the Knowlton locations.

I took this photo recently just to show that spring is coming! At least in my part of the world.

It was in 1943 that Kitsilano Beach was used for rehearsing commando beach assaults. 

1943 is the year that the Southlands Riding Club was incorporated. Now it sits on just over seven hectares in the heart of the community but it wasn't always so grand.

Originally, an abandoned fishermen's net storage hut on Deering Island was dismantled and carried piece by piece to a new location to build the club house. This was all done by members on horseback.

62-year-old Victor Odlum was named Canada's first ambassador to China in 1943. A former soldier and newspaper publisher, he served until 1946. (Victor was the son of Edward Faraday Odlum after who there is a nearby street named after. And one with a few historical homes that I have to get photos of.)

I have to thank The History of Metropolitan Vancouver website for the above information. There is more to tell and I may do so on Monday. If there is room after telling you of the 1907 film.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

Karen Magill, Vancouver, History of Metropolitan Vancouver, history, Samuel J. Cohen, Victor Odlum British Columbia, Canada, Kitsilano Beach,Knowlton