Devonian Harbour Park (Vancouver)

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In 2008 the Vancouver Historical Society placed a historical interpretation sign at Devonian Park along the Georgia Street sidewalk and has the following text:

From Coal Seams to a Park
This grassy area, now Devonian Harbour Park, represents layers of historic use from early settlement to industrial waterfront.

Coal Harbour
In 1859 Captain George Henry Richards from the British Royal Navy named this bay Coal Harbour, after finding occasional coal seams within the sandstone. However, to mine this low-quality coal proved to be uneconomical.

Kanaka Ranch
In the 1860s Coal Harbour was settled by several Hawaiian families. Their home became known as Kanaka Ranch, a name derived from their Polynesian heritage. They grew fruit and vegetables as well as fished and hunted to sustain their small community. They also sold charcoal, which they produced on the ranch, to Hastings Mill where the men worked. Their children trekked to school at the Mill.

Denman Arena
In 1911 the Patrick brothers built the Denman Arena on part of the Kanaka Ranch site. One of the world's largest indoor rinks at the time, holding 10,500 people, it became home to the Vancouver Millionaires. They won the Stanley Cup in 1915. The Arena burned down in 1936.

Georgia Auditorium
In 1927 Frank Patrick built an auditorium alongside the Denman Arena. The auditorium and arena hosted boxing and wrestling matches, rallies and other attractions. Originally called Denman Auditorium, the name was changed to Georgia Auditorium in 1952. It was demolished seven years later.

Waterfront
From 1903 starting with Vancouver Shipyards Ltd, several shipyards on the shoreline began constructing small vessels. From 1929 the Boeing Aircraft Company of Canada built amphibious aircraft, called “flying boats” such as the Thunderbird and Totem. Production in the 1930s switched to boats and household items. William Boeing’s private yacht Taconite, on which he died in 1956, was built here. In 1937 aircraft production restarted at Sea Island, Richmond.