Lauren L.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver Heritage Fair

MY MOUNT PLEASANT: Vancouver's First Suburb

My project is about Mount Pleasant's history. Today I will taking you on a historical tour of the one and only historical neighbourhood, Mount Pleasant. Together, we'll learn about Vancouver's First Suburb, by taking a peek at the history this neighbourhood has to share.

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

One of the most interesting things I learned was how well Mount Pleasant has preserved much of its heritage. Everything around you in Mount Pleasant is historical and well preserved. You may look around other neighbourhoods, but you'll never find anywhere that is as historic in Vancouver as Mount Pleasant.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

An important lesson I would like to share with my fellow Canadians is that Mount Pleasant is so much more than what many people think it is. Many people believe that Mount Pleasant is a trendy neighbourhood, but it's something special, something very historical. We all have something to give, and Mount Pleasant has given Canada a beautiful, historical neighbourhood... and a lot of us Canadians need to know that.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

I would say that my life today compared to the life of earlier Mount Pleasant residents is easier. Mount Pleasant was doing well, and attracting many new immigrants, but the Depression and Great Depression arrived, turning Mount Pleasant into a working-class neighbourhood. I look back now to the past, and I really appreciate what early early Canadians, like those in Mount Pleasant, overcame to make our country such a great place today.