Strathcona is the oldest residential neighbourhood in Vancouver, yet we almost lost it. In the 1950's the whole neighbourhood was scheduled for demolition and would have been replaced by a vast area of identical blocks of social housing apartments and townhouses. Luckily, a strong opposition from the community stopped the development, although the area with a strong black community connected with Jimi Hendrix didn't survive the so called "Urban Renewal" plan.
Jimi Hendrix's Childhood Hangout
Nora Hendrix, the famous musician's grandmother lived a few blocks from Hogan's Alley, an often overlooked African-American area on the southern edge of Chinatown/Strathcona that was destroyed once the viaducts were constructed. During his boyhood, little Jimi spent many summers there, possibly playing music in the building of the Vie's Chicken and Steak House where Nora worked and which also hosted a number of visiting black performers such as Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong. Few remnants from the neighbourhood remain after the demolition, but one such landmark was transformed into a peculiar memorial. A couple of years ago Hendrix fans created one of Vancouver's most unique urban curiosities by converting a small red brick building at 207 Union Street, that used to be part of Vie's, into a shrine where you can find old pictures and also several letters of correspondence between Jimi and his Grandmother. Make sure you give generously as this place is kept open by visitor donations only.
East Van
Seafaers Club
Community Center
Hendrix Shrine Garden
Hendrix Shrine
In front of the Hendrix Shrine
Strathcona
La Casa Gelato Inside
La Casa Gelato Stuff
La Casa Gelato
Strathcona House
Strathcona Building
Hastings Mill Store
Hastings Mill Store Inside
Strathcona Grocery
Chinatown
Sun Yat Sen Gardens
Meet The Photographer: Kevin Eng
Kevin Eng
Kevin EngKevin's passion for photography has encouraged others to see the splendor and beauty of nature right at their doorstep, as he captures the sights of the day, and colors and mystery of world while it sleeps. Many of the subjects of his work are based locally in his hometown in Vancouver, B.C., where he first discovered his fascination with night photography. Kevin is currently working as a music teacher, music director for his church, and landscape photographer.
DTKEJA
Yikes, without Strathcona, Vancouver would be so boring. Who wants to see cookie cutter houses sprawled around everywhere? While it’s nice to introduce modernity, It’s important to have unique, and eccentric nooks around as well– makes exploring our city much more interesting!