Namely Vancouver: A Hidden History of Vancouver Place Names

(Hardback)

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"Namely Vancouver" traces the fascinating origins and history of Greater Vancouver's place namesits streets, neighbourhoods, waterways, mountains, boroughs, and buildings, among others, in an illustrated historical glossary that takes you behind the ubiquitous signs and symbols, and provides a unique vantage point on the city.

For instance, Commercial Drive was originally named Park Drive, as it abutted Clark Park in East Vancouver. As part of the route of the Vancouver-New Westminster interurban railway, Park Drive attracted a lot of new businesses; so much so, that in 1912 it was renamed Commercial Drive.

There seems to be no truth to the rumour that Gassy Jack Deighton was so named for his frequent passing of wind. Rather, this instrumental figure in Vancouver's early historythe original site of his pub still forms the division between east and west streets in the citywas named for his windbag tendencies, and the legacy of this saloon keeper lives on in the name of historic Gastown.

While many of Vancouver's early surveyors, mayors, and even saloon keepers had the honour of having streets or neighbourhoods named after them, John Morton had a slightly more dubious distinction. As one of the "three greenhorns," Morton went down in history as one of Vancouver's earliest settlers. In return, one of Vancouver's shortest streets is named after him.

Lulu Island is named after Lulu Sweet, an actress with a travelling theatre company. Colonel Moody (of Port Moody fame) was smitten with Miss Lulu, and named the island, now known as Richmond, after her.

An unorthodox and revealing guide, "Namely Vancouver" is an ideal book for tourists and Vancouverites alike.

Includes numerous historical and contemporary B&W photographs.