TIME TRAVELLER: Horticultural Hall helps grow community in early North Vancouver

This photo from 1908 shows the newly constructed Horticultural Hall on the 2200 block of Lonsdale Avenue. The hall opened on July 1, 1908.

More than just a place to hold the colourful horticultural shows of the Horticultural Society, the hall was the de facto community centre for decades. It hosted various exhibits, club meetings and community gatherings like dances and socials.

In 1910, the hall was home to a community memorial service for King Edward VII. Starting in August 1908, the local auxiliary of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union held a series of elocutionary contests. Though the Horticultural Hall building is long gone, the site continues to serve the community to this day as the location of the Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre.

Click here for more information about the history of the North Shore and to learn about MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, opening in 2021.

Currently, the Archives of North Vancouver at 3203 Institute Rd. in Lynn Valley is open by appointment only. Contact: [email protected]