History of Hastings Sunrise

Over 140 years ago, the provincial government envisioned a developing town on the shores of a lovely West Coast harbor. Although Vancouver eventually grew out of Gastown  just a few miles west, Hastings-Sunrise, situated on the northern block of that original planned site, produced the popular resort of New Brighton.

This weekend retreat, close to where New Brighton Park is now, was a favourite with loggers, mill workers and vacationers from New Westminster. In 1869, the settlement was named Hastings Townsite in honor of visiting Admiral G.F. Hastings and it remained a leisure destination through the turn-of-the-century with visitors enjoying the hotel and racetrack in Hastings Park. As the area grew, it claimed many significant first achievements such as being the home to Vancouver’s first road, first wharf, first hotel, first post office, first real estate transaction, first museum and the first ferry between the Burrard Inlet and Victoria.

By 1910, with input from local residents, a tradeshow featuring dairy farmers, logging and horticultural demonstrations was born and still continues successfully today as the Pacific National Exhibition. Hastings Townsite joined the City of Vancouver in 1911 and by the 1920’s was developed for residential use. In the decades following WWII, our neighbourhood continued to grow as First Nations, European, Asian and families from around the world made Hastings Sunrise their home. Today, our vibrant community is a culturally diverse, warm, welcoming neigbourhood.