Vancouver in Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast

Here Stood Hamilton

By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010

1. Here Stood Hamilton Marker

The marker was unveiled on the evening of April 20, 1952, as part of the 67th anniversary of the incorporation of Vancouver. The marker was created by the English sculptor Sydney March.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Here stood
Hamilton
First Land Commissioner
Canadian Pacific Railway
1885
in the silent solitude
of the primeval forest
He drove a wooden stake
in the earth and commenced
to measure an empty land
into the streets of
Vancouver

Erected 1952.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 49° 16.967′ N, 123° 6.611′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Greater Vancouver Regional District. Marker is on West Hastings Street just from Hamilton Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1H6, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dominion Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Flack Block (within shouting distance of this marker); 326 West Pender Street (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); BC Permanent Building (about 120 meters away); 64 Pounder Guns

Here Stood Hamilton Marker Detail - Vancouver's (2nd) Coat of Arms image. Click for full size.

By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2010

2. Here Stood Hamilton Marker Detail - Vancouver's (2nd) Coat of Arms

Lauchlan Hamilton's, the Canadian Pacific Commissioner, not only began the initial process of laying out the City of Vancouver, he also designed the city's first coat of arms, which was in use from 1886 to 1903. Pictured above is the second version of the city's coat of arms, and bears little resemblance to Hamilton's version, except that it carries the same motto, "By Sea and Land We Prosper". The second version was replaced by the third version in 1969, which carried over many heraldic elements from the second version, and can be seen on the city's Heritage Building historical markers today.

(approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Sherman (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Drill Hall (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Canadian Bank of Commerce Building (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

Also see . . . A Plaque for Lauchlan Alexander Hamilton. Illustrated Vancouver's story of Hamilton's plaque. (Submitted on March 4, 2011.)

Here Stood Hamilton Marker - wide view looking across West Hastings St. image. Click for full size.

By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 11, 2010

3. Here Stood Hamilton Marker - wide view looking across West Hastings St.

First Vancouver City Council Meeting after fire image. Click for full size.

By Harry T. Devine, 1886

4. First Vancouver City Council Meeting after fire

Lauchlan Hamilton was also an alderman on the Vancouver City Council. This photo shows the first city council meeting after fire burned down the entire city on June 13, 1886. Hamilton is shown here, seated as the left-most person on the right-hand table. (Image courtesy of the Vancouver Public Library)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 842 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 4, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.