The transcription of the Vancouver City Council minutes of 1888 was funded by The Oppenheimer Group. Click on any headline to see the full transcript of that day’s meeting, and pictures of the original handwritten minutes.
Vancouver Mayor & Aldermen for 1888
Oppenheimer (b. 1832, Bleiskastel, Germany, d. 1897) was one of early Vancouver’s biggest landowners and businessmen. He was elected by acclamation for two of his four one-year terms. During Oppenheimer’s tenure, the city’s first water main was laid from the
Vancouver to buy horses for fire department – January 9, 1888
Reports from the Committees established the previous week. Appointment of Council Committee under Mayor Oppenheimer to purchase team of horses for fire engine. Letter from F Munro noting that Keefer has hired Chinese, letter from Keefer explaining. Discussion about precautions
Alderman Sam Brighouse granted three months leave of absence – January 30, 1888
Ald. Brighouse granted three months leave of absence. Map of Foreshore of False Creek submitted. Petition from city officials asking their salary be paid on the first of every month. Report requested for comparison of cost on vitrified or wooden
Vancouver wants lighthouse at First Narrows, bridge to Richmond – February 6, 1888
Two requests to federal government: (1) to build lighthouse at First Narrows (now Lions Gate) because of large increase in vessels, and (2) for permission to build Granville Bridge to ultimately connect to North Arm of the Fraser River. This
C.P.R Superintendent Abbott supports Granville Street Bridge over False Creek – March 19, 1888
Henry Abbott in support of Granville Bridge over False Creek. Ferguson et al. in support of road to connect Lorne Street with proposed road to North Arm. City Scavenger to furnish bond, pay license fee. Refused to permit construction of
Liquor licensing should be left to municipalities, say Vancouver City Council – March 26, 1888
Licensing Committee notes that Provincial Legislature is considering liquor issues; these should be left to municipalities. Mr. Abbott of CPR to be notified city has let contract certain improvements. Mr. Abbott to be asked to place a draw in their
Bank of Montreal to purchase Vancouver’s $150,000 debentures – May 7, 1888
Order in Council has been passed permitting bridges across False Creek and Coal Harbour. Bank of Montréal to purchase debentures of $150,000. Shows confidence in the future prospects of the city. H Buster to receive license for day and night
Vancouver house numbering will cost 25 cents – May 14, 1888
The streets inspector to collect from the house owners twenty five cents per building on which a street number has been placed. Ten acres of “The Park” [Stanley Park] placed under control of the Athletic Association. Introduction of a by-law
New school to be built south of False Creek– June 4, 1888
Joseph Mannion resigns his seat on City Council. Council set aside $800 for building a school house on the south side of False Creek. E.V. Edmonds asked to donate two lots for school. Volunteer Fire Brigade to be given $200
C.P.R. offers site for immigrant sheds – July 30, 1888
Mr. H. Abbott offered to give a site for Immigrant sheds North of the Company’s Offices on Cordova Street. Many tenders received for sewerage. Contractors will be notified to cover up the Sewer pipe on the lane running between Hastings
Circus can go ahead on cricket ground – August 20, 1888
Council allows recreation grounds used by Sell’s Circus without permission for once, but permission will be needed in future. Land budget for school south of False Creek increased to $910 from $500. Budget of $500 set aside to build a
M. A. McLean appointed Vancouver’s police magistrate – August 27, 1888
Former Vancouver Mayor M.A. McLean appointed Police Magistrate at a salary of $1,000 per year. City Officials given an annual ten-day holiday. Fri Oct 12, 1888 set aside as Arbour Day, “for the purpose of planting trees and shrubs, and
City street lighting quality called into question – September 10, 1888
J. Humphries, chairman of the Board of Works reports “That the present electric light for street lighting is a humbug and expensive and would recommend…a more modern and economical system of electric light for street lighting.”Mrs. Roberts appointed hospital matron
Hospital medical staff appointed – September 17, 1888
Doctors Bell-Irving, Langis, Lefevre, McGuigan and Robertson appointed to medical staff for City Hospital. Board of Works has decided to have electric lighting in the new hospital. Request from John H. McMillan et al asking that the Corporation remove the
Parks Committee formed for City of Vancouver – September 26, 1888
Aldermen Dougall, Coldwell, Alexander and Brighouse elected to form Parks Committee, with H.P. McCraney, A.G. Ferguson, and R.G. Tatlow
Ward 1’s budget exhausted for this year – October 1, 1888
Ward 1’s budget exhausted: instituted separate accounts for each city ward. Work on False Creek Bridge, False Creek School House, and City Hospital continues. Brush, stumps, boulders and debris along the road to (Stanley) park not disposed of according to
Three more policemen added to the force – November 19, 1888
Three part-time constables added to police force for the remainder of the year. James Stanford paid $790 for work to date on City Hall.
Mayor David Oppenheimer granted $50 to establish a Fruit Growers’ Association – November 26, 1888
Dominion Government’s offer of 160 acres in the Hastings Townsite for a Public Park is accepted. Mayor David Oppenheimer granted $50 to establish a Fruit Growers’ Association.
Meeting cancelled to commemorate death of Alderman Humphries – December 3, 1888
Special meeting to commemorate death of Alderman Humphries; City Hall to be closed the day of his funeral; his desk to be draped for the remainder of the year.
Tenders called to supply groceries to hospital – December 17, 1888
Tenders called for food supplies to city hospital. Mayor may spend up to $125 per month to subsidize steamer service to Nanaimo 3 times per week. Alderman Brighouse to purchase a horse to flush out the sewers regularly. A.E. McCarney
Fire Department may not supply water to private parties – December 28, 1888
Manager of Hotel Vancouver informed that as the fire department is a volunteer one, it cannot be ordered by council to supply water to the hotel. City officials to be paid on Dec 31st. Report of Licensing board referred back
Mayor David Oppenheimer biography
At the end of December, 1888 the “Vancouver Daily World” newspaper published biographies of Mayor-Elect David Oppenheimer and the Aldermen who would form the Council for 1889.
