Click on any headline to see the full transcript of that meeting,
and pictures of the original handwritten minutes.
Vancouver divided into five wards – May 31, 1886
Letter received from Mr. John D. Ronald, Manufacturer of Fire Engines – referred to Fire, Water and Light Committee. By-Law No. 3 dividing the City of Vancouver into Wards was passed and sent to the British Columbia Gazette for publication.
Liquor by-law made official – June 10, 1886
Map published by H.B. Smith endorsed as official Map of the City. Liquor By-Law No. 5 finalized and sent to British Columbia Gazette for publication.
Vancouver By-law No. 5, Liquor License By-Law
Dealing with the most important things first! One of the earliest items of business of the newly-formed City of Vancouver was establishing the conditions for granting liquor licenses. This by-law was introduced and finalized at the second meeting of Vancouver
City debentures to be sold to finance fire engine – June 22, 1886
The photo above was taken on June 14, 1886, the day after the Great Fire. City Debentures amounting to $4,500 to be sold for 5 years at 6% interest, secured by special tax on Water Street properties. Decision to purchase
Vancouver purchases Fire Engine – June 28, 1886
Council met in the Relief Committee Tent. City Clerk to write to John D. Ronald accepting the terms he offered for the purchase of a Fire Engine in May. City Clerk also to write to manufacturers of fire bells for
Engineer’s report re Water Street adopted – June 30, 1886
The photo above shows Water Street about four weeks after the Fire. This development of Water Street had been planned before the Fire, and amended to include about $200 to replace the sidewalk lost during the Fire. At the June
Vancouver Fire Hall plans to be drafted at once – July 26, 1886
Plans for a 2 storey Fire Hall to be drafted at once, and budget of $100 set for purchase of a Fire Bell. A roadway at the foot of Carrall Street is being constructed for the Steam Fire Engine. Special
Police Magistrate J. Boultbee cleared of charges – July 28, 1886
Police Investigation committee presents their report. David Oppenheimer offers a choice of two city lots on Powell Street as a donation for future City Buildings. Board of Works may spend twenty five dollars to clear all flammable materials from Cambie
Special meeting authorizes payment of Fire Engine freight charges – August 2, 1886 3:00 pm
A Special Meeting was held to authorize payment of $350.70 freight charges on the new Fire Engine from Brussels (Ontario) to Vancouver.
Four lots donated for Vancouver City Hall by D. Oppenheimer – August 2, 1886, 7:30 pm
Four building lots accepted as a gift from Mr. David Oppenheimer as the site for City Hall and Civic offices. C. M. Morris decided on as City Engineer. Salary fixed at $60 per month plus room in the Fire Hall.
Fire engine arrives in Vancouver – August 6, 1886
City formally presented with Fire Engine. Council voted thanks to Mr. John D. Ronald of Brussels, Ontario, supplier of the fire engine, for his courteous and generous assistance to the City after the fire. also to pay $6,905 for the
Vancouver has found $10,000 loan – August 23, 1886
As False Creek’s navigable waters are essential to businesses on the shore, no one shall be permitted to build a bridge unless there is a draw large enough to admit all vessels.Bank of British Columbia agreed to lend the city
Vancouver city hall, fire hall, lockup will be built right away for $2,000 – August 30, 1886
City will build Fire Hall & Lockup ($743) and a City Hall ($1,280). Council will meet in the office of David Oppenheimer on Powell Street until City Hall is complete. Proposal to build a slaughterhouse on the south side of
Sidewalk obstruction by-law is not popular – September 6, 1886
Citizens protest against a new bylaw forbidding verandahs, sidewalks, etc. on City property. Vancouver will contact both the Coquitlam and Vancouver water works companies to see which would be better to supply Vancouver water. If neither is satisfactory, the City
Contracts awarded for Hastings, Water streets – September 20, 1886
Messrs. McDonald and Cameron given the contract to develop Hastings Street from Howe to Westminster Avenue sections of Hastings Street. Hugh Keefer given a contract for gravelling that portion of Water Street west of Cambie Street to connect with the
No raised sidewalk for Cordova Street – September 27, 1886
Property owners on Cordova Street not allowed to have the sidewalk built 18 inches above the road, but they may build steps connecting the sidewalk up to their buildings. Board of Works to make sure that the wharf at the
Post office must be moved “before the rainy season sets in” – October 5, 1886
Council requests Post Master General move the post office “before the rainy season sets in” to some point between Abbott and Carroll Streets. The picture shows the small clapboard post office on Hastings Street. Board of Works was authorized to
Carrall Street wharf will be built by David Oppenheimer – October 15, 1886
David Oppenheimer’s company will continue to develop the wharf at the North End of Carrall Street and will eventually “convey” it to the City of Vancouver. Letter received from Chief Justice Sir Matthew Begbie declining to hold a Court of
Vancouver’s city hall is complete – October 18, 1886
Building of City Hall complete; contractor F. W. Sentell to be paid in full. Thos. H. Boyd awarded contract for improvement of Cambie Street. “On account of the large amount of street work contracted for”, Civil Engineer D.L. McCammon appointed
New fire hall can be rented to “suitable” groups – November 1, 1886
Tait & Co allowed to rent space behind Fire Hall for Carriage House at a cost of $12.50 per month. Fire Engineer allowed $100 to build a small dwelling behind Fire Hall. Fire Hall allowed to be rented to Lodges
Council’s first meeting at the new City Hall on Powell Street – November 8, 1886
The Finance Committee reported purchase of “12 Arm Chairs, one Long Table for Council Chambers, one hanging lamp, 4 green holland blinds, 1 ton of Coal, Coal scuttle and shovel, 2 nests of pigeon holes for the City Clerk and
Vancouver to co-operate with Holy Rosary Cathedral in building sidewalk to church – November 29, 1886
At the request of the Rev. Father Fay of Holy Rosary Cathedral, thirty dollars granted toward building a sidewalk along Richards Street from Hastings to Dunsmuir. The parish to supply blocking, nails and labour.
City hall upper floor to be offices for Mayor, City Engineer & Assessment Commissioner – December 20, 1886
John Clough (Vancouver’s infamous one-armed jailer) to be paid $20 for past services, and a salary of $5 per month in future. City Engineer granted $200 bonus in compensation for much extra work “thrown on his shoulders” during the year.
Vancouver street improvements will continue in 1887 – December 27, 1886
Many additional accounts reviewed and approved for payment. Two By-Laws passed for the improvement of Powell and Cambie Streets.