Imperial Oil Station — Vancouver, BC
Posted by: Dunbar Loop
N 49° 16.341 W 123° 09.318
10U E 488703 N 5457743
The Imperial Oil Company - today branded as Esso - was expanding the early 1930s with service stations. The Cornwall & Yew service station was completed in 1932. Operated as a gas station until the 1970s when it was converted into a restaurant.
Waymark Code: WMTMZ5
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 12/14/2016
Views: 2
At the deepest part of The Great Depression the Imperial Oil Company was building service stations across Western Canada. The one located at Vancouver's Kitsilano Beach was seen as a flagship station.
With the high traffic during the summer months flocking to the very popular Kitsilano Beach, the Imperial Oil Company hired the architectural firm Townley, Matheson and Partners. Specifically under Fred Townley's direction this Spanish Moorish service station was designed and built.
Opening in 1932 and proud of his work, Townley hired the renowned local photographer Leonard Frank to take this photo on September 27th, 1932 to capture the recently opened station.
VPL Accession Number: 10946
The service station closed in the late 1970s. By the early 1980s it was restored a restaurant called Malone's and has since been renamed a few times. While it no longer serves petroleum products it continues to fuel people with food and beverages.