TIME TRAVELLER: In 1912, Christmas was celebrated 'happily and merrily on the North Shore'

This photo from 1912 shows the interior of George Barker’s Lynn Valley General Store all decked out for Christmas.

According to an article in the Dec. 27, 1912 edition of The Express newspaper, Christmas Day was celebrated “happily and merrily on the North Shore.” Even though it was a typical rainy day instead of a white Christmas, “all the cheery traditions” were upheld, which included “heavily laden trees, crackers, candies, and heaps of other luxuries” like roast turkey.

The fire department was happy to report that despite “the lighting of fairy candles and other seasonable risks, no outbreak of fire” occurred during the Christmas festivities within the city’s limits.

At the Gem Theatre on West First Street youngsters gathered to watch “appropriately chosen motion picture stories” and older citizens enjoyed carol singing by the choral society members in Lynn Valley.

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]