“a sort of national property” in the city

Stanley Park is one of the world’s oldest and largest urban green spaces. In the spirit of William Wordsworth, this city park is cherished as a “sort of national property.” Before the arrival of Europeans, the land was Coast Salish territory. Created in 1888 from a government land reserve for the new city of Vancouver and designated a century later a natural historic site of Canada, Stanley Park is a symbol of Canadian national identity and a destination of tourists the world over. The park was named after Canadian Governor General Lord Stanley, who dedicated it “to the use and enjoyment of peoples of all colours, creeds, and customs, for all time.”

Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C.
Hand-coloured photograph, published by the European Import Co., Germany, n.d.

Roadway, Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C. Published by Valentine & Sons' Publishing Co. Ltd., Montreal, Toronto, Great Britain, n.d.

Multiview Postcard of Summer Cottages at English Bay and Stanley Park, published by B.C. Print'g & Engr. Corp. Ltd., Vancouver, 1901.

Second Beach, Stanley Park, Vancouver, B.C. J. Howard A. Chapman, Victoria, B.C., n.d.

Visit the Philip Francis British Columbia Postcards Collection to view additional items in the collection.