Current Initiatives

An historical and cultural review has been completed for the area around Powell Street, formerly known as "Japantown". Learn more

Detailed Historical overview

Several phases of growth and development have occurred over the years:

Nihonmachi: The Early Years

Powell Street - Growth, Prosperity and Loss

Powell Grounds - Asahi and the Labour Movement

Church and Cultural Precinct

Japantown Historic Buildings map guide (2.63mb)

Map of Character Buildings in the Area

Powell Street: Evaluation of Historical & Cultural Significance presentation (2.78mb)

Neighbourhoods

Oppenheimer/Japantown - Introduction

The Oppenheimer neighbourhood is often identified by the park of the same name, and is sometimes referred to as the heart of the Downtown Eastside. The area has been home to numerous immigrant groups over the past 120 years. Its most notable early association is with the social, economic and cultural activities of the Japanese-Canadian community from the 1890s to 1942.

Through the 1890s, the area experienced rapid development of housing for both wealthy and labourers alike. By the end of the decade, however, the wealthy had relocated to the West End and Fairview Slopes, leaving the Powell area distinctly working class. The extension of the street car line on Powell Street in 1890 also spurred commercial development – initially in the 200 and 400 blocks – transforming these from houses to commercial and hotel/boarding house uses.

Hastings Mill, 1886 Major Matthews Collection Wat P3

Streetcar Extension Along Powell, 1889 Major Matthews Collection; Trans N7

Sawmills were the dominant local industry. Stamps Mill, located at the foot of Gore Avenue, was established in 1865 by Captain Edward Stamp. The mill was unable to make a profit and was ultimately sold to Captain James A. Raymur from San Francisco. Under his ownership, it became known as Hastings Mill. It employed a large number of Chinese immigrants who had previously worked on the railway. In the late 1800s the first Canadians of Japanese descent settled in the neighbourhood, many who worked at Hastings Mill. The area quickly became known as .

In more recent times, the neighbourhood has become a focus of cultural activities for a diverse number of groups, including First Nations, and it retains its working-class roots. Some of the earliest housing stock in the city remains along Alexander and Cordova Street.

Dales House, 414 Alexander Street, c.1895 Major Matthews Collection, SGN295

Franciscan Sisters of Atonement House, 385 East Cordova (1887)

Today, the Oppenheimer area includes a provincial court house, police station and fire hall that serve the neighbouring communities. The neighbourhood centre of Powell Street includes retail, restaurants, cafes, grocery, live theatre and artists’ studios, social service centres and some light industrial activities.