James Johnstone is back with his popular historical walking tours this August and September. On Saturday, August 18th, James will take you on a tour of one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods, Strathcona. The tour kicks off at 10:00 am starting from 696 East Hastings Street at Heatley. This historical walking tour is a culmination of years of researching over 250 homes in the East End. Although you will find architecture is a theme on this tour, James will also focus on social history and how waves of immigrants established themselves in this area before moving on to other parts of the city. The tour will also touch on the impact of portside industries like BC Sugar, the prohibition and the proliferation of bootlegging as well as the City of Vancouver’s attempts to wipe out “urban blight”. If you can’t make this date, he will be doing this tour again on Saturday, September 1st and 15th. James is also offering another tour on September 8th, which focuses on the Working/Wild Side of Vancouver’s East End. This tour has some interesting local history points including the birthplace of Venice Bakery, home of actor John Qualin (Grapes of Wrath), home of maternal grandparents of Michael Buble, home of boxing legend Jimmy McLarnin, birthplace of former Premier Dave Barrett as well as some interesting history on Union Market which was once a Chinese laundry and bottlegging operation. James has much more history for you. Each tour runs for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours the cost is $20 for each tour. If you would like more information or to reserve your spot, email James directly at historywalks@gmail.com.
