Comments on: The Vancouver Aquariums

By: Brian Beesley

Brian Beesley — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 17:43:16 +0000

I remember when they got an octopus at the old Aquarium. It was a big deal and was even in the newspaper if I recall. Sadly it didn’t last long in captivity.

By: Janet Leduc

Janet Leduc — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:47:31 +0000

The one in Stanley Park may have been the first public aquarium. The one at English Bay was privately owned and I don’t know about the first one at Hastings Park. Interesting information on the first one! Thanks

By: Gillian Johnstone

Gillian Johnstone — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:54:19 +0000

My dad worked at the English Bay Aquarium , he could recite his entire sales pitch as his job was to bring in customers. He would have been around 16 years old.

By: James

James — Sun, 17 May 2020 22:31:34 +0000

I had no idea of any previous ones. My father, the Federal Director of DFO, Mining & Forestry for Pacific/Artic started the third one and hired Dr. Murrey Newman for curator contrary to the aquariums wikipedia’s report stating otherwise never spoke of any others. I again am saddened by the wonderful buildings that once stood in this city . The current concrete run down eye sore at E-Bay is an embarrassment as is the Second and Third Beach changing rooms, washrooms and showers with the Third beach one not even offering warm water.

By: Robert Ashton

Robert Ashton — Sun, 17 May 2020 16:20:09 +0000

Yes, a vague memory of visiting the aquarium at English Bay as a young child. The only real memory is the aquarium area was dark with lighted tanks. Probably visited with parents in the 1940s.

By: Lesley Lee

Lesley Lee — Sat, 16 May 2020 22:04:58 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. It's kind of fitting that he also owned aquariums, I guess! He seemed to be quite a character from what I remember from his TV ads.

By: Doug Parks

Doug Parks — Sat, 16 May 2020 22:02:01 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. I can only remember being there and likely wishing to be at the beach. my mom and dad lived in the West End when I was born. I remember stables in a convent at Davie and Broughton. I remember the Englesea Lodge. Lots of childhood memories without much context The Hastings St location probably was privately run

By: Angus McIntyre

Angus McIntyre — Sat, 16 May 2020 18:23:26 +0000

Ivar’s Acres of Clams Restaurant on downtown Seattle’s waterfront at Pier 54 is still there, and I remember going there for dinner with some friends back in the 1970s. In the middle of our meal Ivar himself appeared in the dining room and came over to chat with us. After we talked for a few minutes, he said: “Dessert’s on the House!” He purchased Seattle’s iconic 1914 Smith Tower skyscraper, and kept the elevator operators. His motto was “Keep Clam”.

By: Dave Byrnes

Dave Byrnes — Sat, 16 May 2020 16:49:13 +0000

In the 60s we used to see Ivar himself on late night TV from Seattle, advertising Ivar’s Acres of Clams!

By: Brad Williams

Brad Williams — Sat, 16 May 2020 16:01:47 +0000

I remember visiting the Aquarium at Stanley Park as a kid. It was very cool, now in this age of enlightenment, I find it disturbing and would not support animals and sea life being held in captivity.

By: Doug Parks

Doug Parks — Sat, 16 May 2020 15:53:27 +0000

I can remember visiting the aquarium at English bay. I also remember another aquarium located at Hastings and Carroll near a discount store.It was tucked in behind a tiny park that is now part of the no go zone in the DTES.

By: Lesley Lee

Lesley Lee — Sat, 16 May 2020 15:50:53 +0000

Was Ivar Haglund the same Ivar who had the Seattle restaruant Ivar’s Acres of Clams?