On This Spot

We're very excited to announce the official launch of our newest city: Vulcan, Alberta! Explore 50+ Then and Now Photographs of Historic Vulcan, as well as an engaging Walking Tour that winds through Vulcan's Downtown. Dive into the evolution of this vibrant, tight-knit community while getting some much needed fresh-air, and staying safely socially distanced! ... Download our free app or visit our website to enjoy the photos and tour today! https://onthisspot.ca/cities/vulcan Big thank you to our partners: Vulcan and District Historical Society Museum and Archives

On This Day in 1914, prospectors struck oil in the Turner Valley twenty kilometres west of Okotoks, Alberta. This discovery was a momentous event in the province's history, inaugurating the 'Turner Valley Era' of Alberta's petroleum industry. It all started when William Stewart Herron, an Okotoks rancher, discovered a gas seep on the banks of the Sheep River. Exploratory drilling began soon after, and on May 14, they hit black gold. For the next thirty years, Turner Valley wa...Continue reading

In 1890, work on the Sault Ste Marie Canal had begun, and some 800 hundred men would continue the work for four years. The above photo captures some of that labour. When construction for the Canadian Soo canal had begun, canal building as an industry and form of skilled labour had begun to die out. A surplus of workers from across Canada and the United States meant that men would have to travel across the country to find further skilled labour paying reasonable wages. At the ...Continue reading

On This Day in 1870, Manitoba became the fifth Canadian province through the Manitoba Act. At its start, the province was relatively tiny, encompassing only 160 square kilometers. Its capital was (and is) Winnipeg (the provincial legislature is pictured below). Since 1670, the land which is now Manitoba had been under the control of the Hudson Bay Company under the name of Rupert's Land. It has been the home of First Nations people for 15,000 years, and, in 1870, was the hom...e of the Assiniboine, Dakota, Cree, and Dene people, along with Metis people and white fur trappers. These residents were not consulted in the transfer of their home from the control of the Hudson Bay Company to the control of the Canadian government, and this transfer sparked the Red River Rebellion, led by Metis leader Louis Riel. Discover more fascinating Winnipeg history at https://onthisspot.ca/cities/winnipeg @heritagewinnipeg @travelmanitoba @fortgarryhotel @exchangedistrictbiz

This is another William Armstrong painting showing one of the key locations along the banks of the St. Mary's River: the beginning of the portage trail. The rapids were not navigable by boat, and initially those seeking to get across would beach their canoes and carry them and their supplies--portage them--along this trail to the Lake Superior side. In 1797 the North West Company built an 800 metre mini canal for these fur trading canoes, complete with locks. It was the firs...Continue reading

On This Spot has officially launched in Lacombe! See more on our blog! https://zcu.io/Jpfk @LacombeCounty Lacombe Regional Tourism @LacombeTourism #thenandnow @TravelAlberta #ExploreAlberta #travelalberta #alberta #albertahistory #photography

Clive has gotten On This Spot coverage, check out our blog for more information! https://zcu.io/VIQt @VillageofClive @LacombeCounty #thenandnow @TravelAlberta #ExploreAlberta #travelalberta #alberta #albertahistory

On This Spot in Vancouver. 1938 and Now A small Union Steamship is passing under the Lions Gate Bridge during its construction.This view gives us a glimpse of North Vancouver which still appears almost entirely forested. @downtownvan

On This Spot in ParrySound, ON. c. 1920s and Now The steamer pictured here is the Majestic, belonging to the Northern Navigation Company's Georgian Bay & Makinac division. These steamers left Collingwood three times a week during the tourist season for the trip through the North Channel of Georgian Bay to Sault Ste. Marie and beyond. Contemporary brochures describe the scenery at Parry Sound as "entrancing" and "wild and romantic."xx1 The idea of Georgian Bay as a wild frontier was highly marketable. Describing the wilderness as a mysterious maze of forest, rock, and water, appealed to the imaginations of city dwellers. These brochures took great creative license, but their success was indisputable. @themuseumontowerhill @parrysounddowntown

On This Spot has launched in Bentley, check out our blog post for more details! https://zcu.io/vsaY @townbentley @visitbentley @TownBentley @LacombeCounty #thenandnow @TravelAlberta #ExploreAlberta #travelalberta #alberta #albertahistory

On This Spot in Sault Ste Marie, ON. c. 1900s and Now A small sight-seeing vessel filled with people waits in the locks. Notice the complete absence of trees on the horizon, though you can see the International Bridge connecting the two Sault Ste. Maries on the far left. @queenstownbia @SaultTourism @SaultEDC @saultmuseum

Hey everyone! We've recently launched in Blackfalds, be sure to check it out! https://zcu.io/gwp3 @BlackfaldsAB @CityofLacombe @blackfalds @LacombeCounty #thenandnow

On This Spot in Victoria. 1914 and Now A busy day showing traffic and pedestrians on Government Street from Fort Street. @uvic @CityofVictoriaPage

After taking the #museumsforme survey, I wrote a blog post about how much I love museums! Why don't you take the survey too at www.museumsforme.ca! #museums #canadianhistory

On This Spot in Stonewall, MB. ca. 1915 and Now Some students who enlisted to serve in World War One are pictured here shortly before leaving. @stonewallmb @quarryparkheritageartscentre

Sault Ste Marie, ON. c. 1895 and Now A shot of the MacQuarrie & Co. grocery store that existed on this corner before the Dawson Block was built in 1898. Notice that the roads have not yet been paved. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/saultstemarie... @queenstownbia @SaultTourism @SaultEDC @saultmuseum

Take a trip through old Quebec City in around great then-and-now video from our partner Know Where You Walk. https://zcu.io/V0oe

On This Spot in Nanaimo, BC. 1930s and Now A view down Commercial Street in the 1920s. @NanaimoHospitalityAssociation @TourismNanaimo @NanaimoMuseum @nanaimoarchives

Nanaimo, BC. 1900s and Now Two boys walk past the photographer in this colourized photograph looking up Church Street. One of them is politely doffing his cap. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/nanaimo... @NanaimoHospitalityAssociation @TourismNanaimo @NanaimoMuseum @nanaimoarchives

Thank you Metrolinx for featuring us in this article! We launched in Aurora 2 years ago and love to see the positive impact our then-and-now photography has in preserving the community's rich history. https://zcu.io/k6Ly

Parry Sound, ON. 1910s and Now ictured here is the Parry Sound dockyard, which exported grain, iron, and coal. The Parry Sound dockyard, and its robust industrial capacity, almost did not come into being. This was due to a spectacular drama which ensued in the late 19th century between the town and a railway tycoon. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/parrysound... @themuseumontowerhill @parrysounddowntown

On This Spot in Strathmore, AB. 1925 and Now A member of the Blackfoot Nation on horseback during the Strathmore Stampede parade. The Blackfoot suffered terribly from the arrival of white settlers. In Strathmore First Nations people were not a particularly common sight, though some did come to work as ranchers, on the irrigation projects or on farms. Others, like the man in this photo, came to perform in the Strathmore Stampede, aweing the settlers with bravura performances of horsemanship and dancing. @WDHSociety

This is an exciting new project we're were doing an entire region in one go in partnership with Lacombe Regional Tourism! We've launched Lacombe, and are in the process of adding five neighbouring communities including Blackfalds, Eckville, Alix, Clive, and Bentley. We're blanketing the region with then and now photography and history! Stay tuned for A LOT of new cities to launch in the app in the weeks to come!

Our talented partner in the UK, Richard Etheridge with Know Where You Walk , has created some stunning videos featuring our then-and-now photos on his Youtube channel. Check out his video below exploring the past and present of Vancouver! https://zcu.io/0xDG

Sault Ste Marie, ON. 1924 and Now This is the dedication of Sault Ste. Marie's cenotaph, a somber occasion given the titanic scale of the city's sacrifice in the War to End All Wars. When the First World War erupted in August 1914, the people of Sault took up the fight with vigor. The first contingent from the local militia marched down Queen Street on August 20 and embarked on trains with the ultimate destination of Flanders Fields. They were but the first of thousands to m...ake the journey. Many would not return. It is a beautiful, moving monument, topped with bronze sculptures. The crouching male figure represents War, under a "'Shield of Right' represented by a draped female holding a sword and a sprig of maple leaves. Side panels depict men reluctantly answering the call to arms and soldiers helping the wounded."xx1 If you go read the inscribed names on the monument you can't help but be shocked by the immense scale of the tragedy: there are 350 names of men from Sault Ste. Marie who fell in that war, a devastating blow to a young city of Sault's size. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/saultstemarie/queen @queenstownbia @SaultTourism @SaultEDC @saultmuseum

Edmonton. 1910s and Now Further north than any major city in North America, Edmonton has long been the jumping off point for expeditions to the Arctic. That is why it's often called the 'Gateway to the North'. The most memorable of those expeditions being the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-99. As the northernmost point that could be reached by railway, Strathcona was where thousands of prospectors from every corner of the globe converged to begin the most difficult portion of t...heir long trek to the Yukon by horseback or on foot. In those exciting times Strathcona was filled with brave souls preparing for the ordeal that lay ahead; purchasing supplies, swapping stories over beer, and getting a last night's sleep in a warm, dry hotel room. The prominent old building you see here, the Strathcona Hotel, was one such hotel. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/edmonton/strathcona @cityofedmonton @edmontonheritagecouncil

Getting excited to launch Vulcan!

Aurora, ON. 1910s and Now Aurora's old train station in the early 20th Century, and with a Go Train stopped at the siding today. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/aurora... @townofaurora

We're thrilled to announce a partnership with Richard Etheridge at Know Where You Walk! Richard is a talented then and now photographer based in northern England, and he's going to be using our photos to create videos for his Youtube channel, and we'll be using his photography to begin expanding our app coverage into the UK! Stay tuned, we've got big plans beyond Canada in the months to come!

Sault Ste Marie, ON. c. 1895 and Now A shot of the MacQuarrie & Co. grocery store that existed on this corner before the Dawson Block was built in 1898. Notice that the roads have not yet been paved. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/saultstemarie... @queenstownbia @SaultTourism @SaultEDC @saultmuseum

Nanaimo, BC. 1900s and Now A crowd of men are walking up the sidewalk on Commercial Street past the offices of King Photography. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/naniamo... @NanaimoHospitalityAssociation @TourismNanaimo @NanaimoMuseum @nanaimoarchives

Nanaimo, BC. 1900s and Now Two boys walk past the photographer in this colourized photograph looking up Church Street. One of them is politely doffing his cap. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/nanaimo... @NanaimoHospitalityAssociation @TourismNanaimo @NanaimoMuseum @nanaimoarchives

Victoria. 1916 and Now Yates Street after a truly massive snowfall in 1916. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/victoria... @uvic @CityofVictoriaPage

Parry Sound, ON. 1910s and Now ictured here is the Parry Sound dockyard, which exported grain, iron, and coal. The Parry Sound dockyard, and its robust industrial capacity, almost did not come into being. This was due to a spectacular drama which ensued in the late 19th century between the town and a railway tycoon. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/parrysound... @themuseumontowerhill @parrysounddowntown

Sault Ste Marie, ON. 1924 and Now This is the dedication of Sault Ste. Marie's cenotaph, a somber occasion given the titanic scale of the city's sacrifice in the War to End All Wars. When the First World War erupted in August 1914, the people of Sault took up the fight with vigor. The first contingent from the local militia marched down Queen Street on August 20 and embarked on trains with the ultimate destination of Flanders Fields. They were but the first of thousands to m...ake the journey. Many would not return. It is a beautiful, moving monument, topped with bronze sculptures. The crouching male figure represents War, under a "'Shield of Right' represented by a draped female holding a sword and a sprig of maple leaves. Side panels depict men reluctantly answering the call to arms and soldiers helping the wounded."xx1 If you go read the inscribed names on the monument you can't help but be shocked by the immense scale of the tragedy: there are 350 names of men from Sault Ste. Marie who fell in that war, a devastating blow to a young city of Sault's size. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/saultstemarie/queen @queenstownbia @SaultTourism @SaultEDC @saultmuseum

Vancouver. 1913 and Now A view of Granville Street dominated by the Vancouver Block and its huge clock. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/vancouver... @downtownvan

Edmonton. 1910s and Now Further north than any major city in North America, Edmonton has long been the jumping off point for expeditions to the Arctic. That is why it's often called the 'Gateway to the North'. The most memorable of those expeditions being the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-99. As the northernmost point that could be reached by railway, Strathcona was where thousands of prospectors from every corner of the globe converged to begin the most difficult portion of t...heir long trek to the Yukon by horseback or on foot. In those exciting times Strathcona was filled with brave souls preparing for the ordeal that lay ahead; purchasing supplies, swapping stories over beer, and getting a last night's sleep in a warm, dry hotel room. The prominent old building you see here, the Strathcona Hotel, was one such hotel. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/edmonton/strathcona @cityofedmonton @edmontonheritagecouncil

Calgary. 1939 and Now Homes on the banks of the Bow River overlooking downtown Calgary. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/calgary

Aurora, ON. 1910s and Now Aurora's old train station in the early 20th Century, and with a Go Train stopped at the siding today. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/aurora... @townofaurora

Vancouver. 1889 and Now The picture above shows ships in Vancouver's harbour celebrating Dominion Day (Canada Day). The poem below by Pauline Johnson embodies the spirit of the time: bold, optimistic, British. How else can one explain Wilfrid Laurier, the Francophone Prime Minister featured on our five dollar bill, saying "when Britain is at war, Canada is at war. There is no distinction." We forget today, but our concept of Canadianness has evolved dramatically over the pas...t century. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/vancouver/skylines @downtownvan

Toronto. 1907 and Now The intersection of King and Yonge are filled with people in this photo. The building on the corner is home to the Federal Life Insurance Co. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/toronto

Calgary. 1914 and Now Delivery wagons parked outside of Hudson's Bay Company store in Calgary. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/calgary

Gleichen, AB. 1880s and Now Two Blackfoot on horseback in front of Beaupre's Pioneer Store.This store was built the same year the railway arrived and soon became a meeting place for both whites and the Blackfoot, whose reserve was just on the south side of the railway. The Blackfoot had migrated into this area 250 years before and quickly adopted European horses. Their horsemanship became legendary on these prairies. https://onthisspot.ca/cities/gleichen... @WDHSociety