Items | BC Black History Walking Tour (Under the Haint Blue Sky)
BC Black History Walking Tour (Under the Haint Blue Sky)
Vancouver
About
Vancouver once had a thriving Black community, and you should know about it. This immersive walking tour through Strathcona and the former Hogan’s Alley uncovers the untold stories of British Columbia’s first Black settlers, tracing their migration, resilience, and lasting cultural impact. This experience combines archival materials, primary documents, and lived experience to bring history vividly to life. Guests receive access to a digital archive of photos and historic articles curated from much research in British Columbia’s archives. You’ll reflect on how these histories connect to present-day realities for Black Canadians, and to our shared humanity. More than a tour, this is a visionar...
Highlights
1 hour and 30 minutes
Offered in English & Spanish
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
1 hour and 30 minutes
Offered in English & Spanish
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
All prices include the 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) required by the Government of Canada.
Meeting Points
Departure
1150 Station St
We will meet at the entrance of Pacific Central Station.
Return
209 Union St
The Jimi Hendrix Shrine in Vancouver is a cultural tribute located in the Chinatown area, formerly the site of Vie's Chicken and Steakhouse where Hendrix's grandmother worked.
Important Information
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Wheelchair accessible
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Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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Service animals allowed
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
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Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
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Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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BC Black History Walking Tour (Under the Haint Blue Sky)
Vancouver
Select Date & Travelers
From
$64.00
Price varies by group size
About
Vancouver once had a thriving Black community, and you should know about it. This immersive walking tour through Strathcona and the former Hogan’s Alley uncovers the untold stories of British Columbia’s first Black settlers, tracing their migration, resilience, and lasting cultural impact. This experience combines archival materials, primary documents, and lived experience to bring history vividly to life. Guests receive access to a digital archive of photos and historic articles curated from much research in British Columbia’s archives. You’ll reflect on how these histories connect to present-day realities for Black Canadians, and to our shared humanity. More than a tour, this is a visionar...
Highlights
1 hour and 30 minutes
Offered in English & Spanish
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
1 hour and 30 minutes
Offered in English & Spanish
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
All prices include the 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) required by the Government of Canada.
Meeting Points
Departure
1150 Station St
We will meet at the entrance of Pacific Central Station.
Return
209 Union St
The Jimi Hendrix Shrine in Vancouver is a cultural tribute located in the Chinatown area, formerly the site of Vie's Chicken and Steakhouse where Hendrix's grandmother worked.
Itinerary
1
Pacific Central Station
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
2
Trillium Park Playground
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
3
Vancouver Downtown
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
4
Vancouver Downtown
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
5
Vancouver Downtown
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
6
Vancouver Downtown
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.