Comments on: The Real Story Behind the Lost Lagoon Fountain

By: branwen Willow

branwen Willow — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 17:00:56 +0000

In reply to Lisa Smith. I've seen that photo of the volks bug too,now ,that must be an interesting story.

By: Nick Kennedy

Nick Kennedy — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 07:40:24 +0000

L0L I remember those UBC students’ hijinx! Speaking of Lost Lagoon Fountain, my GF’s parents lived in this suite in 1986ish. I was over visiting a few times back then. Tracey’s mom and step-dad rented this suite then.
https://www.bccondosandhomes.com/building/arniston-apartments-2015-haro-street
I’m trying to locate her 38 years onward! Her parents were Brits and they moved to Norfolk area in the UK. They bought a pub there. Tracey followed them shortly after, and we were both crying at the Vancouver Airport saying our good-byes! That’s the last time I saw her. All I have is 3 post cards she sent me long ago, and some fading memories of a love lost! I also miss the Vancouver I lived in from 1959- 1993! I’ve been back 2-3 times since 1993, but I was NOT impressed at all. I DO enjoy your blogs tho Eve! Thank you… (=

By: Richard Bell

Richard Bell — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 22:50:11 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. This is a landmark that should be maintained by the par/city as it is the gateway to the Park and Bridge. Possibly Jimmy Pattison could help in some way and receive a tax break.

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 17:45:57 +0000

I have vague memories from when I first came to Vancouver in 1958, the year of BC’s centennial. Was there a big, illuminated sign near that fountain to celebrate the centennial or am I more confused than I thought?

By: William Webb

William Webb — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 02:39:58 +0000

The fountain is nothing short of iconic. But Vancouver City Council has failed to support the notion. Rather, other works of “nonsense” are commissioned. I personally feel that Vancouver City has lost its soul.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 29 May 2023 14:16:09 +0000

Eve, is the fountain still not operational?? (I no longer live in the Lower Mainland and haven’t been to Stanley Park since before Covid.) what a shame if that’s the case! I wonder how we can convince the powers-that-be to get it going again – after all, if they refurbished it for Expo in 1986 it can be done again, no?

By: Kevin O'Neil

Kevin O'Neil — Mon, 30 May 2022 22:18:16 +0000

In reply to Mike. Read Pauline Johnson a famous mèti poet, she named the lagoon in a poem, and her remains are across the street from the tea house at third beach.

By: Glenn Williams

Glenn Williams — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 05:10:58 +0000

Thank You so much for your sharing our story. My grandfather designed and erected the fountain. Lennox MacKenzi had nothing to do with it. He was simply the city electrical engineer tasked with inspecting it for the Golden Jubilee commitee.
My grandfather died young and suddenly so he never got to speak of his story till I went investigating for the truth.
I also have the drawings and papers, pictures and notes. Vancouver Golden Jubilee Fountain story is on Facebook.

By: Richard Douglas Griffin

Richard Douglas Griffin — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 05:46:32 +0000

They should get it up and running again.

By: Michael McLintock

Michael McLintock — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 16:44:14 +0000

In reply to Brad Williams. agreed

By: Ed Stonehouse

Ed Stonehouse — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 01:15:36 +0000

Would like to talk to you regarding my story of stowing away in 1965 from Liverpool to Montreal on empress of England n didnt get caught. Also jumped ship in Skagway (was running the gift shop)on the Prince George . Both escapades were done with my buddy who lives in Victoria.
He was the purser on the George.
We were arrested next day on the White pass n Yukon train

By: Matthew Walker

Matthew Walker — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 23:06:01 +0000

In the 90’s as a kid I always watched the fountain waiting for the centre jet to spray a high stream into the air as Dad drove down Georgia street.
Last time I saw it running was 2014.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 17:24:50 +0000

I was told by a buss driver, that before the causeway, when high tide came in, the lagoon would be lost because it now would be part of the ocean

By: Skip Savage

Skip Savage — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 03:54:26 +0000

In reply to James Hourston. Your opinion is the same as mine. The view into the lagoon from the causeway is an important asset, but it was sacrificed to cover someone's rear. You probably remember that twenty years ago the city cut a number of trees down in the park to allow for a wider causeway. To smooth things over with protesters, the city agreed to replace the cut trees, which they planted densely along the northern shore of Lost Lagoon. They even had trees growing in the median for a time, until they saw the folly of that decision. Silly is as silly does.

By: James Hourston

James Hourston — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 03:26:33 +0000

I must add that Angus’s last comment was in reply to my weather comment about 1972.
Now my question is ” restored from when?” I never was finished according to the post. . Are they referring tp the coloured lighting?
In the first pic the Weeping Willow tree is still there. Too many trees surround the Lagoon in my opinion blocking its view esp in winter when the xmas tree effect on.

By: Barbara Perrault

Barbara Perrault — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 16:36:24 +0000

In the forties the Fountain was one of the few tourist attractions in Vancouver. We would take our out of town guests for a “drive by”to see the splendour of the fountain when it lit up, particularly at night.

By: Angus McIntyre

Angus McIntyre — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 18:37:14 +0000

The Amalgamated Transit Union was on strike with B.C. Hydro for the full month of January, 1971. I had picket duty from midnight to 6:00 am, and with the old-timers we dutifully marched back and forth in front of the old Cambie Garage at 14th and Cambie. It was so cold gas meters froze, and huge icicles formed from eavestroughs to the ground.

By: Gregory Melle

Gregory Melle — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 02:26:46 +0000

When I was a kid I was convinced that Lost Lagoon was bottomless and nobody had ever found the bottom. Of course, in actual fact, it was considered ‘lost’ because it was so shallow that all the water disappeared at low tide.
When the road causeway was built all that changed.

By: David Gibson

David Gibson — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 23:35:02 +0000

The geometry of the Fountain: It lies exactly on the centre line of Georgia Street. If you draw that line across Downtown to False Creek, it will lead directly to Science World, formerly the EXPO 86 Discovery Centre. This is not an accident. The Fountain celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the City of Vancouver, while EXPO 86 celebrated its centenary.

By: David Gibson

David Gibson — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 23:22:12 +0000

In reply to Brad Williams. Nope. Let the Fountain alone, and find a place for Dr. Bonnie's name. I would suggest a world-leading lab at UBC. Funding should be adequate to provide fellowships for up-and-coming young scientists from the field of Public Health around he world. That's where her focus should be.