Windermere, Vancouver

Few Vancouverites today know that Windermere Street is a remaining trace of a colonial tourist resort. In the nineteenth century, the thriving settlement of New Brighton was located at the end of the road leading from the colonial capital of New Westminster. The resort featured the Brighton Hotel, built in 1858. A new Brighton Hotel was built in 1886, shown below.

This fine and commodious new Hotel has been recently completed, and is furnished with every convenience for the comfort of guests. The situation and accommodations are unsurpassed on Burrard Inlet, which has become the most fashionable WATERING-PLACE in British Columbia. The prospect is charming, the sea breezes are invigorating, and the facilities for Boating and Bathing are excellent.”

- Vancouver Herald Advertisement, January 16, 1886.

Photograph of the New Brighton Hotel at the foot of Windermere Street in Vancouver, 1886. Courtesy Vancouver City Archives, AM54-S4-: Dist P13.

The photograph below shows waterfront houses in Burrard Inlet with boats and log booms across the inlet, overlooking the old townsite of New Brighton toward Stanley Park in the distance. Courtesy Vancouver City Archives, AM54-S4-: Van Sc N74.3.