I picked up a copy of Vancouver Vanishes recently, what a great read! Some of the buildings mentioned are familiar, others too late to know. The book is both discouraging and uplifting, with loving tales of home ownership and interesting people, plus John Atkin’s essay “Demolition: It Happens” puts some interesting historical context into today’s events. It’s troubling to think Vancouver’s demolition habit hasn’t changed much in the past 100 years.
It’s easy to forget how young Vancouver is, until you visit eastern Canada, where they’ve been building homes and businesses since the 1500’s. Even outlying areas, like the Quebec’s Eastern Townships, have structures built in the mid 1800’s that are still in daily use. Historical plaques in front on many tell the ownersh
ip story, and point out interesting features. I’m not sure if these plaques make visitors and locals appreciate heritage more, 
however with so many well-loved vintage buildings, they seem to be the norm, not the exception, in most communities. Nor are older homes being demolished on a regular basis. I’m still pondering this different perspective, and how we can encourage it here in Vancouver.