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| 5630 Dunbar St. at 41st Ave. 604-684-4613 |
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Things to do in the Neighbourhood - Kerrisdale Village |
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Travelling to All Nations Stamp and Coin will bring many people through Kerrisdale Village. If you don't, you should. There is free off-street 2 hour parking, long enough to tour the neighbourhood and even to stop for lunch. It's a great browse, a true town centre, as it used to be downtown Kerrisdale - Point Grey when it was a separate municipality. And it is only a few blocks from All Nations. The first settlers in Kerrisdale were the Irish McCleery brothers, who came to the area in 1867 to farm the meadows where the golf course now bearing their name is located. |
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| When the Steveston fish canneries began to flourish, a need for workers prompted the CPR to construct a railway from Vancouver to Lulu Island. The "Sockeye Special," as it was called, went through the heart of Kerrisdale, providing transportation for the first influx of people.
Kerrisdale gained its name in 1905 when British Columbia Electric Railway manager R.H. Sterling asked Mrs. Wiliam McKinnon to name the interurban stop at Wilson Road (today West 41st Ave). She chose to call it "Kerry's Dale", after the name of her family home, Kerrydale, in Gairloch, Scotland. Kerrydale means âlittle seat of the fairies.â It was quickly corrupted to Kerrisdale. |
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| The Arbutus corridor, a no-longer-used CPR railway line which bisects the neighbourhood, has been the object of many debates since its abandonment in January of 2000. Suggested uses of this 10km corridor have included a SkyTrain line (vociferously opposed by local residents), a paved bikeway, condominium development, and a tourist-oriented streetcar line. | ||
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| The City passed an Official Development Plan in 2001, designating the corridor as a transportation corridor, specifically precluding SkyTrain. CPR contested this in court, and in early 2006, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the City was within its rights. At present, the line still sits in limbo, overgrown with weeds and brambles, awaiting an official decision as to its future. | ||
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| In 1908, the area joined the new municipality of Point Grey and the first election was held January 11, 1908. As the geographic centre of the area, Kerrisdale became the political hub. The present Kerrisdale Centennial Park at Yew and 42nd was the site of the original City Hall which at that time contained the Council chamber, municipal offices, the police court and a two cell jail.
Today, the park also houses Kerrisdale Community Centre, a large rambling complex containing a library, gym, swimming pool and a very large Seniors Centre. |
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| From 1904 to 1912, Kerrisdale boasted a general store and post office, a hardware store and a real estate office, at the intersection of Wilson Road (now 41st Ave) and West Boulevard. In 1912, Frank Bowser and Frank Burd built the Bowser Block, which still occupies the southwest corner of the intersection.
Streetcar service arrived on 41st Avenue in 1912, passing through the developing commercial area at 41st Ave. and West Boulevard. Kerrisdale joined the City of Vancouver in 1929 when Vancouver amalgamated with Point Grey. |
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| The stretch of businesses along W. 41st Ave between Balsam and Maple streets comprise the Kerrisdale Business Association, the longest running such association in Vancouver. Member businesses pool funds for festivities and general beautification of the area, including the hiring of a full-time gardener during summer months. | ||
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| Vancouver's first rock and roll concert was held in the Kerrisdale Arena. Bill Haley and the Comets played there in 1956. | ||
 Kerrisdale is among the most stable communities in Canada. At most social events, chances are you’ll meet several residents who were born, educated and married in Kerrisdale and who until a few years ago might reasonably have planned to retire there.
Statistics Canada ranks the neighborhood as one of the most affluent in North America. In 1986, average household income was $59,474, almost twice as high as the $32,403 average for Vancouver city. Kerrisdale can be seen as a village with almost every service, supply outlet and recreational facility a community needs: a broad range of restaurants and shops; equipment rental; recreational and cultural facilities; elementary secondary and private schools; daycare centres; |
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| health and fitness centres. There is a major public library; a seniors’ centre; two swimming pools; two major golf courses; a skating rink, an arena and a bowling club. Various service organizations and services promote social welfare and business opportunities. A society devoted to historical research and preservation of historic buildings has attracted more than 150 members. | ||
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| Kerrisdale began taking shape more than 130 years ago, five years before Confederation and more than nine years before British Columbia became a Canadian province. In the 1860s the Magees, Moles, Shannons and McCleerys were neighbours whose names are interwoven with Kerrisdale’s history.
Many people also argue that Kerrisdale is losing its small shopping village feel due to the many large corporate stores opening up (Starbucks, McDonalds, GAP, Sleep Country) which are replacing small, local businesses that represent the original village's ideals. But at least the McDonalds looks upscale, complete with second floor deck. |
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| Vancouver is a city of villages and Kerrisdale is one of the oldest and most diverse. Well worth a visit. | ||
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| Kerrisdale Community web pages. | ||
| Other Things to do in the Neighbourhood Newsletters: | ||
Newsletter #147 Newsletter #148 Newsletter #149 Newsletter #150 Newsletter #151 Newsletter #152 Newsletter #153 Newsletter #166 Newsletter #169 Newsletter #173 Newsletter #174 Newsletter # 180 Newsletter #182 Newsletter #196 |
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| All Nations Stamp & Coin
5630 Dunbar St. at 41st Ave. Phone: 604-684-4613 Fax: 604-266-4515 e-mail: collect@direct.ca |
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