Under the Haint Blue Sky: The Lost Alley Walking Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  We’ll begin our tour at Pacific Central Station, completed in 1919. This historic station was a place of work for Black men from Hogan’s Alley, many of whom served as porters, helping passengers navigate the railways and carrying their luggage with pride. As we explore the station, you’ll learn about their vital contributions to Vancouver’s development and hear stories of resilience, community, and excellence in a time when opportunities were limited.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2

  At Trillium Park Playground, we’ll dive into the history of the first Black migration to British Columbia. Using historic archival photos, documents, and newspaper clippings, we’ll explore how Vancouver’s Black community, including Hogan’s Alley, came to be. While learning these powerful stories of resilience and community, you’ll also enjoy stunning views of the city skyline framed by the mountains—a perfect backdrop for reflection and photos.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3

  Next, we’ll walk through what remains of Hogan’s Alley, the historic heart of Vancouver’s Black community. Its stories of resistance, resilience, and joy endure. We’ll pause at the Fountain Chapel building, founded in 1918 by Nora Hendrix, grandmother of Jimi Hendrix. While it no longer functions as a church, it still stands as a testament to the community’s spirit and cultural life. Along the alley, you’ll hear tales of everyday life, struggles, triumphs, and even the early life of Jimi Hendrix, connecting the past to the present in this poetic and powerful space.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  As we continue through Hogan’s Alley, you’ll see some of the original houses that remain, quiet witnesses to the vibrant community that once thrived here. These structures allow us to connect with the lives and stories of the Black residents who built their lives in this neighborhood. Our walk brings us to the Georgia Dunsmuir Viaduct, a stark reminder of urban development’s impact: its construction led to the destruction of most of Hogan’s Alley and the displacement of countless residents. Here, we’ll reflect on the resilience of the community, honoring the lives disrupted and the legacy that endures through memory, storytelling, and surviving architecture.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  We’ll conclude our tour in the colorful Strathcona neighborhood, walking down Union Street to witness what remains of Hogan’s Alley’s legacy. Along the way, we’ll stop at the site of one of the last Black-owned businesses in the alley, which closed following the displacement of the community. Our final stop is the Jimi Hendrix Shrine, located at the former site of Vie’s Chicken and Steakhouse: a cultural hot spot where Black musicians from the early to mid-1900s, including Diana Ross, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and Sammy Davis Jr., would gather when visiting Vancouver. Here, you’ll hear stories of music, culture, and community life that once thrived at the heart of Hogan’s Alley, leaving an indelible mark on Vancouver’s history.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  Finally, we’ll walk just a few steps across the street, beneath the viaducts, to reflect on how these concrete structures were built and to understand in depth how their construction destroyed most of Hogan’s Alley and displaced its residents. This closing moment invites us to stand in the shadow of the viaducts and consider the lasting impact of erasure, memory, and the ongoing work to honor and reclaim this vital piece of Black history in Vancouver.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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