History & Heritage
History
Although neighbouring Marpole and Kerrisdale experienced steady growth
between 1908 and 1929, the community of Oakridge remained in its natural
state until the early 1950s, when the CPR developed its land holdings
for residential and commercial use.
Development included the construction of single-family homes and the
creation of Vancouver's first shopping center -Oakridge, built on a 32-acre
plot of land at 41st and Cambie.
During the 1960s, construction continued and a large number of young
families moved into the community. Schools and hospitals were built to
meet the increasing demand, and facilities such as the Jewish Community
Centre and the Home for the Aged were built to serve the growing community.
Heritage
Oakridge is a young community, compared with most of the rest of Vancouver.
One of the area's predominant architectural forms, the classic bungalow,
may not classify as heritage, however it is noteworthy and may be considered
a heritage structure sometime in the future. The bungalows are characteristic
of the type of dwellings built during the post WWII boom.
Oak Street has a number of interesting churches built along its length,
including the unusual Unity Church at 5840 Oak and the Unitarian Church
at 49th Avenue, both built in 1964.
Detailed information on the city's heritage and a complete list of heritage
buildings is available at City
of Vancouver Heritage.
Additional information is available through the City
of Vancouver Archives.
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