Looking at all these wonderful pictures brings a lot a memories back to mind. I lived in the “Squatters” area between Burrard St Bridge and Kitsilano Trestle 1947/8/9/50. We even occupied Red Ducharme’s black home for a short time before my sister was born – April 21, 1949 and my mother was the one who displayed his women’s lingerie wherever she could. Shortly after Apr 21 we moved over to a house between the bridges on the other side of Burrard St Bridge. There was no running water, we had to go to the streetcar (repair Shelter)? with gallon jugs in hand – there was no central heating – no electricity. The Salvation Army would come at Christmas with food, gifts and toys. I believe we were about 5 kids in all and 2 babies. The men (and us) did a lot of illegal fishing crabs, etc there were a number of dead-heads in the water which made it an (interesting) night. All us kids went to Henry Hudson School which wasn’t very far away. Sometimes, we didn’t eat, so dug into the catch of last night. Our parking spot was across the RR tracks to an area we called the “Sawdust Pile”> At the moment I can’t think of anymore (being 83) to write. Thank You for the space and a chance to tell what it was like in Post-war years.
Thank you so much for sharing these memories on this Burrard Street Bridge post. Your firsthand details—living between the Burrard Street Bridge and the Kitsilano Trestle in 1947–50, fetching water at the streetcar repair shelter, the Salvation Army visits at Christmas, crabbing at night among deadheads, the “Sawdust Pile,” and Red Ducharme’s place—bring the post-war years on the foreshore vividly to life. I’m grateful you took the time to write, and I’m glad the photos helped bring those years back.
Beautiful photos, unfortunately the “Scotch Pond” is a misnomer. Its name is derived from the Scottish Canadian company” that existed early part of the 1900s. In over a hundred years there may have been 2 fisherman with Scottish descent that had any involvement in the area. The primary group were of Japanese descent. If you would like further information about the Scotch Pond feel free to contact me: John Kapp president Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative.
Thanks so much for the clarification, John. I’ve updated my post to reflect that “Scotch Pond” takes its name from the Scottish Canadian Cannery (1899) and that the pond itself was dredged in the 1950s by the Canadian Fishing Company. I’ve also added context about the Japanese Canadian community’s central role in the area (including boatbuilding at the head of the slough) and the earlier Musqueam presence. I appreciate your work with the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative and would be glad to include any additional sources you recommend.
Looking at all these wonderful pictures brings a lot a memories back to mind. I lived in the “Squatters” area between Burrard St Bridge and Kitsilano Trestle 1947/8/9/50. We even occupied Red Ducharme’s black home for a short time before my sister was born – April 21, 1949 and my mother was the one who displayed his women’s lingerie wherever she could. Shortly after Apr 21 we moved over to a house between the bridges on the other side of Burrard St Bridge. There was no running water, we had to go to the streetcar (repair Shelter)? with gallon jugs in hand – there was no central heating – no electricity. The Salvation Army would come at Christmas with food, gifts and toys. I believe we were about 5 kids in all and 2 babies. The men (and us) did a lot of illegal fishing crabs, etc there were a number of dead-heads in the water which made it an (interesting) night. All us kids went to Henry Hudson School which wasn’t very far away. Sometimes, we didn’t eat, so dug into the catch of last night. Our parking spot was across the RR tracks to an area we called the “Sawdust Pile”> At the moment I can’t think of anymore (being 83) to write. Thank You for the space and a chance to tell what it was like in Post-war years.
Thank you so much for sharing these memories on this Burrard Street Bridge post. Your firsthand details—living between the Burrard Street Bridge and the Kitsilano Trestle in 1947–50, fetching water at the streetcar repair shelter, the Salvation Army visits at Christmas, crabbing at night among deadheads, the “Sawdust Pile,” and Red Ducharme’s place—bring the post-war years on the foreshore vividly to life. I’m grateful you took the time to write, and I’m glad the photos helped bring those years back.
Beautiful photos, unfortunately the “Scotch Pond” is a misnomer. Its name is derived from the Scottish Canadian company” that existed early part of the 1900s. In over a hundred years there may have been 2 fisherman with Scottish descent that had any involvement in the area. The primary group were of Japanese descent. If you would like further information about the Scotch Pond feel free to contact me: John Kapp president Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative.
Thanks so much for the clarification, John. I’ve updated my post to reflect that “Scotch Pond” takes its name from the Scottish Canadian Cannery (1899) and that the pond itself was dredged in the 1950s by the Canadian Fishing Company. I’ve also added context about the Japanese Canadian community’s central role in the area (including boatbuilding at the head of the slough) and the earlier Musqueam presence. I appreciate your work with the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative and would be glad to include any additional sources you recommend.