For a city not even 150 years old, Vancouver has an uncanny ability to bury its past. Beneath the sleek condos and trendy cafés are layers of history that rarely make the tourist brochures—or the local radar. If you’re curious about Vancouver’s overlooked origins, these are the lesser-known places that reveal its complex, and sometimes surprising, story.
Tucked away at the foot of Alma Street, this small wooden building is the oldest structure in Vancouver. It survived the Great Fire of 1886 and was floated by barge to its current location in Point Grey. Inside, you’ll find early settler relics, Indigenous artifacts, and fascinating photos of Vancouver before it was Vancouver.
This waterfront monument tells the story of the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, when a ship carrying Sikh passengers was denied entry to Canada under exclusionary immigration laws. It’s a sobering reminder of the city’s complicated relationship with race and immigration, and a must-see for those who want to understand Vancouver beyond the postcard version.
It’s easy to drive past this East Van cemetery without giving it a second thought, but it holds over 145 years of local history. Notable names buried here include Vancouver’s first mayor, David Oppenheimer, and celebrated poet Pauline Johnson. Self-guided walking tours lead you through the stories of early pioneers, wartime veterans, and civic leaders.
Just a block from the bustle of Davie Street is one of the city’s best-preserved heritage blocks. Mole Hill is a residential street of restored Edwardian and Victorian homes surrounded by community gardens and leafy green space. It’s a quiet, almost eerie contrast to the high-rises nearby, and a perfect place to stroll back in time.
Okay, this one’s a bit of a drive, but it’s well worth it if you’re a fan of industrial history. Located near Mission, these moss-covered ruins were part of the early hydroelectric infrastructure that powered Vancouver’s growth. A hauntingly beautiful reminder of how the region was built—literally.
Most people know Stanley Park for the seawall and Prospect Point, but few realize the park once housed a zoo. Ceperley Meadow was home to monkeys, bears, and even a polar bear enclosure from the 1920s until the zoo’s quiet closure in 1997. Today, only a few stone remnants remain, but it’s a quirky chapter in the park’s long history.
Check out what it used to look like below! So strange to look back on.
The bridge gets all the attention, but Capilano Suspension Bridge Park holds a deeper narrative. The Story Centre and totem poles near the entrance offer a window into Indigenous traditions and early settler life on the North Shore. Take time to read the plaques and listen to the oral histories—they reveal more than a scenic photo ever could.
Long before condos lined the area, Hastings was home to one of Canada’s oldest horse racing venues. While racing still happens today, much of the original architecture and community around the track has faded. It’s a ghost of its former self, but a walk around the grounds gives a sense of what used to be a lively entertainment hub.
Vancouver’s history doesn’t always shout—it whispers. It’s hidden in small museums, fading plaques, and overlooked neighbourhoods that carry the city’s earliest memories. Take a detour from the obvious and follow the threads of the past. You’ll come away with a richer appreciation for the city and the stories still written into its streets.
