Local History
Explore West Vancouver’s fascinating history. Find out more about your neighbourhood, your house and your family with these resources.
- Last updated: March 11, 2025
LIBRARY DATABASES
Access these resources using your WVML card.
Read most major Canadian newspapers, including The Vancouver Sun, The Province and The Globe & Mail. You can also find local papers such as the North Shore News.
Access Information: Licensed for West Vancouver residents, students, and business owners only.
The Library's special collection of historical photos and digital artifacts dating from 1900 to the late 1980s. Colour and black & white photographs, audio visual materials and History-onics, the newsletter of the West Vancouver Historical Society are included. An excellent resource.
Know BC is home to the Encyclopedia of British Columbia, an authoritative resource on BC past and present that features more than 4,000 articles and 1,500 accompanying photographs, maps, charts and tables, as well as sound and video clips.
Access Information: Licensed for West Vancouver residents, students, and business owners only.
A special collection of digitized newspapers from North Vancouver and West Vancouver, including the North Shore News from 1976-2000. Enter search terms or browse all newspapers to see what's available.
Presented in partnership by the North Shore News, North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library.
An index to newspaper articles, clippings, articles, books, with a focus on West Vancouver. To view full text, you must come to the Library.
ON THE SHELF
Check these out the next time you’re in the Library.
A list for those interested in local history who are looking for the best books about the history of the District of West Vancouver.
Where did the name "Caulfeild" come from? Find this and other West Vancouver place names.
Biographies of early residents and other stories from West Van's history.
on the web
These recommended websites are free and easily accessible! All you need is an internet connection.
Explore North Vancouver's heritage through their historical thematic web tours, programs, exhibitions and digital online collections.
West Vancouver is on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation).
The official site of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation), with information about governance, lands, current events, and their social sector.
Provides information about preserving heritage buildings on the North Shore. Also includes a guide to doing house history research and links to other heritage websites.
The North Shore's community newspaper.
West Vancouver is on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation).
The official site of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), with access to current news and events as well as cultural and historical information.
West Vancouver is on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation).
The official site of the Tseil-Waututh Nation, with information about their history, governance, businesses, lands, and community projects and events.
Search or sift through West Vancouver's documentary heritage including public records created by the Municipal Government and private records which document the lives and experiences of residents, businesses, and community organizations in West Vancouver's past.
Check out the museum's latest exhibition or browse through the museum's digital collection of important contemporary and modern artists, architects and photographers from British Columbia and beyond.
The District's heritage page has information on National Historic Sites, heritage properties, and more.
The West Vancouver Historical Society is a nonprofit, public service organization interested in enjoying, celebrating, and preserving the history of West Vancouver.
Links to the District of West Vancouver's interactive web appplication WestMAP (GIS), the official Municipal Map and Guide, zoning maps, etc.