The City of Vancouver Archives holds an impressive collection of public domain footage showing early Canadian roads, cars, and transportation scenes—some of which may appear in the "Chasing the Trans-Canadian Dream" documentary on Wilby and Haney’s 1912 cross-Canada drive and its impact of the development of the country.
We found:
- Early Vancouver street scenes with cars dodging pedestrians;
- Streetcar footage from the BC Electric Railway;
- Dirt road travel before highways.
These authentic clips bring the journey to life a fascinating past and show what Canada looked like before and during the development the Trans-Canada Highway. The archives are highly recommended for filmmakers and history buffs.
Below are a few screenshots from footage in the archives:
Source: AM1487-: MI-188 - 1858-1958 Centenary Vancouver BC - Archives - City of Vancouver.
Source: AM1487-: MI-188 - 1858-1958 Centenary Vancouver BC - Archives - City of Vancouver.
Source: AM1487-: MI-188 - 1858-1958 Centenary Vancouver BC - Archives - City of Vancouver.
Source: AM1487-: MI-188 - 1858-1958 Centenary Vancouver BC - Archives - City of Vancouver.