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 Dunbar-Southlands |
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There are archaeological evidences indicating that tribal people had occupied the Dunbar - Southlands for the last 2,000 years prior to the arrival of Europeans.
However, the first homesteaders in the area were recorded in 1863, those of Fitzgerald and Sam McCleery. The McCleery s were the first to operate a farm in Vancouver which was later called McCleery Farm. The McCleery Farmhouse was also the original and the first permanent dwelling in the Vancouver area in 1873. The original McCleery Farm is site of today s McCleery Golf Course.
The name Dunbar is often attributed to an agent for the Union Land Company of St. Paul Minnesota. Charles Trott Dunbar, who came to Vancouver in 1888 invested largely on real estate. He controlled and owned a number of properties in the city. It was in 1906 when Dunbar opened a housing project in Vancouver that he became popular. He advertised in a local newspaper promoting of Dunbar Heights, where lots sold like hot cakes. From that, some old folks entertained the idea that the 1906 newspaper advertisement must have carried the name Dunbar for the place.
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However, many also rebutted the opinion that Dunbar was named after Dunbar, the real estate agent of Minnesota. After all, the name Dunbar already appeared in the map as early as 1886. They said that the name Dunbar could have been adopted to commemorate the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. This suggestion was popularly accepted.
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Dunbar / Southlands originally belonged to the old municipal town of Point Grey. It is noted for its scenic gardens and parks packed with flowering trees along streets and alleys. Some trees met overhead forming natural archways along pathways stretching several meters long. The largest among these parks is the Memorial Park West of Dunbar on 31 st and 33 rd avenues. At Musqueam Park, one can walk and follow trails in Tin Can Creek that lead toward the forest where one could watch salmon that still spawn each fall.
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When Point Grey merged with Vancouver in 1929, officials agreed that Vancouver should give credence to Point Grey s zoning by laws. In 1912, Point Grey was considered one of the strictest towns that implements zoning laws earning a reputation of tight regulations outlining building and landscaping. Effects of these land zoning laws could be seen on homes still standing in the area to these days. In fact, many of the houses at Dunbar / Southlands today consisted entirely of single family dwellings. While there are no high rise buildings in the area, there are castle homes scattered throughout. Some of these castles are on West 39 th Avenue, west of Dunbar.
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It was also during implementation of zoning laws that churches were constructed on Dunbar s. One of these is the old Knox Presbyterian church which was constructed in 1920. The United Church later changed its name to Knox United when it became part of the United Church. Another church, the Immaculate Conception Church started in 1924, St. Philip s Anglican Church followed in 1925. At about the same year, Dunbar Heights United was also established.
The entire Dunbar / Southlands extend from 16 th Avenue to the Fraser River and from Camosun Street, named after Camosun Bog , a wetland within the Park, east to Blenheim. It covers the Musqueam reserve and one or two internationally rated golf courses. Real estate in Dunbar / Southlands is among the highest in Canada
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