The Hotel North Vancouver was opened in 1902 on Esplanade as a luxurious getaway for people from the North Shore and beyond. It had a bandstand, hot air balloon flights, tight-rope walking, a boat dock, and a swimming beach.
Additionally, having one of the few grass fields in North Vancouver, it was a popular spot for picnickers, drawing crowds when the weather was fine.
Depicted here ca. 1905, in a photograph taken by G.G. Nye, are a band of butchers, artfully preparing food to be eaten later in the day at a “Butcher’s Picnic.”
Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver, at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley, is open for drop-ins on Monday and by appointment Tuesday-Friday, 12:30-4 p.m. Contact: [email protected]
Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.
