Sponsorship for the 1898 Vancouver City Council minutes is still available.
Transcription is still in progress. To date, transcripts have been made by volunteers Joanne McCormick, Leah Minuk, Lynn Shane, Darlene Ochotta, Sandra Robinson, Gerald Soon, Marie-Claude Tremblay, and Carole Wilson
Click on any headline to see the full transcript of that meeting.
Council for 1897 Wrap Up Business – January 10, 1898
This ship is the HMS Imperieuse from the Fire and Police Committee Report. Officer Butler arrested two runaway sailors from Imperieuse but had to turn in the reward money to…
Council of 1897 Vote Condolences to Templeton Family – January 17, 1898 10:00 am
Shown above is the Templeton home at 1213 Barclay Street. Former Mayor William Templeton had died the previous day, Sunday January 16, 1898.
Council for 1897 Stand Adjourned – January 17, 1898 12:00 pm
Council for 1898 stood adjourned until the following day (Tuesday January 18 1898) to mark the passing away of former Mayor Templeton. Photo shows incoming Mayor James Ford Garden.
Committees formed for 1898 – January 20, 1898
Allan K. Stuart was allowed $10.00 by the Finance Committee for overtime spent in preparing the Klondike Map. Photo shows supplies headed to the Klondike.
Committees Begin the Work of 1898 – January 24, 1898
Committees reported back re Chairman elected and meeting dates established. Finance Committee had decided on suppliers to the City for Wood, Sawdust, Bread, Milk, Meat, Feed and Washing.
Will Licensed Music Halls Be Allowed? – February 14, 1898
In this 1888 illustration with the Vancouver Volunteer Fire Department, William McGirr and son are pictured within. McGirr, a pioneer in Vancouver later took up as a tobacconist at the…
Jail Expansion Approved, Music Hall Vote Looming – February 21, 1898
Communication received “from the Jews of the city” asking that no permit be issued for interments in the Jewish Cemetery [shown above, ca. 1910] without their written consent.
By-Law Introduced for Wood Block Paving – March 21, 1898
The streets marked in blue above show where wood block paving was installed. The City Engineer certified that the probable life of the wood block paving would be 12 years…
Fifty Applications Received for Two Firefighter Positions – March 28, 1898
Fifty applications were received for the position of fireman. John McMorran and J.E. Michell were hired at $45.00 per month each. As “the ends of Justice often are defeated” by…
Vancouver’s Budget for 1898 Established at $404,344.95 – April 1, 1898
Vancouver’s expected income of 1898 was $404,344.95. The Police Committee was granted $24,558.16, the Fire Department $21,923, the Health Committee $24,321, the School Board $56,380 and the Board of Works…
Council Has Questions for the C. P. R. – April 12, 1898
Council wanted to know how much of the construction materials for the new CPR Terminal would be spent outside British Columbia. The soap factory above was on Georgia Street (at…
City Bathing Sheds Come Down May 1 – April 25, 1898
City Bathing Sheds caretaker Frank Morgan Caretaker was advised to remove his own building and appurtenances as soon as possible as the City cannot give him any extension after the…
Police Committee to Investigate Police Court Business – May 2, 1898
The Chief of Police was instructed to make a full report as to all grievances if any referring to Police Court matters. Photo shows typical Vancouver board sidewalk on 7th…
Police Magistrate Should Not Be In Active Practice – May 9, 1898
“The Committee is still of the opinion that it would be advisable that the office of Police Magistrate should not be held by any Solicitor in active practice and that…
Will Council Fund World’s Champion Rowing Race? – May 13, 1898
Council received many requests to fund the World’s Champion rowing race between Jake Gaudaur and R.N. Johnston. Photo shows the Rowing Club at the foot of Thurlow Street. The Smelter…
Street Watering By-Law Passed – May 16, 1898
Several streets were approved right away for watering: Westminster Av., Cordova St., and Granville St. The City Engineer was asked to look in to watering the cemetery grounds with a…
Consuls Want Improvements to Dunsmuir & Howe – May 30, 1898
The U.S. and Japanese Consuls both complained about the condition of Dunsmuir Street at intersection with Howe Street. Pictured above is the Japanese Consul’s residence ca. 1899. The City Engineer…
New Contract With BC Electric Railway To Be Signed – June 13, 1898
Council approved a by-law to sign a new contract with the BC Electric Railway Co. Photo shows an early Vancouver street car from the 1890s. Council paid $1,000 to the…
John Pace Appointed Cemetery Caretaker – June 27, 1898
From W. H. Livens asked the Board of Works for sidewalk North side of Pender Street, west of PalaceStables (shown in photo). The Board said they would look in to it.…