Granville Island facts for kids
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Snauq (Squamish)
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Northwest Granville Island in 2005-the large complex in the centre is the public market.
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 Granville
Location in Downtown Vancouver (British Columbia)
At South edge of Downtown Vancouver
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| Geography | |
| Location | Vancouver |
| Coordinates | 49°16′15″N 123°08′03″W / 49.27083°N 123.13417°W |
| Archipelago | peninsula |
| Adjacent bodies of water | False Creek |
| Area | 14 ha (35 acres) |
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Canada
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Granville Island is a super cool place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's a peninsula, which means it's almost surrounded by water. You can find it across False Creek from Downtown Vancouver, right under the big Granville Street Bridge.
This area used to be a busy factory zone. But today, it's a very popular spot for fun and visitors! It was named after an old leader, Granville Leveson-Gower.
Granville Island has lots of businesses and places to visit. More than 2,500 people work here. It's home to a huge public market, a big marina for boats, and even a hotel. You can also find places for arts and theatre, like Arts Club Theatre Company and Carousel Theatre. There are also art galleries and many shops.
The Granville Island Public Market is a special place. It has a farmers' market where you can find fresh food. There are also many vendors selling handmade crafts and yummy foods. About 50 shops are always open, plus over a hundred daily vendors. This market was even used in the movie Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol!
Granville Island also hosts several fun festivals each year. These include the Vancouver International Children's Festival, the Vancouver Fringe Festival, and the Vancouver Writers Fest.
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Getting to Granville Island
It's easy to get to Granville Island!
Ferry Services
Two companies, False Creek Ferries and Aquabus, offer ferry rides. These small ferries take you from Granville Island to Downtown Vancouver. They stop at many places like Yaletown, False Creek, and the West End. You can also go to Vanier Park near Kitsilano Beach.
You can also find other boat services. There's a water taxi to Bowen Island. Plus, you can take private tours on the water.
Bus and Trolley Services
You can also get to Granville Island by bus. WESTCOAST Sightseeing and Vancouver Trolley have "Hop-On, Hop-Off" bus tours. These tours stop right at Granville Island.
From 1998 to 2011, a free streetcar used to run here. It connected Granville Island to SkyTrain's Olympic Village. But this streetcar is now closed.
History of Granville Island
Granville Island has a long and interesting past.
Early Days
Long ago, First Nations people used this area for fishing. The city of Vancouver was actually called Granville until 1886! The name Granville was then given to Granville Street. This street crossed a small water area called False Creek.
In the late 1800s, False Creek was much bigger than it is today. It had a large sandbar. This sandbar is what we now call Granville Island. Maps from 1858 and 1893 show how the island looked back then.
Building the Island
In 1915, the port of Vancouver was growing fast. So, a big project began in False Creek. Workers started to create an industrial area by adding land. They used a process called land reclamation.
They dug up almost 1 million cubic yards of dirt from False Creek. This dirt was used to build a 14-hectare (35-acre) island. It was connected to the mainland by a bridge. This new island was first called Industrial Island. But the name Granville Island, after the bridge above it, became more popular.
First Businesses
The very first business on the island was B.C. Equipment Ltd. They built a workshop to fix heavy machines for mining and forestry. They even used barges to ship things!
By 1923, almost every spot on the island had a factory. Most of these factories were made of corrugated tin.
Tough Times and War
During the Great Depression, some people lived in simple homes near Granville Island. They were called "Shackers." They fished, searched the beaches, and sold salmon and wood to survive. They were mostly self-sufficient.
During the Second World War, a company called Wright's Canadian Ropes was on the island. They made strong wire ropes for industries. They were Canada's biggest maker of these ropes!
Modern Granville Island
In 1972, the Canadian government took over managing Granville Island. They invested money to make it better. In 1979, a large building was turned into the Public Market. This was a big step in making the island a fun place for everyone.
In 1980, the Emily Carr University of Art & Design moved to the island. A government minister named Ron Basford helped a lot with these changes. A park on Granville Island is even named after him!
In 2016, the government announced plans for the island's future. They want to keep making it a great place for years to come.
Granville Island Public Market
The Granville Island Public Market opened in 1979. It was a place for farmers and food sellers to sell directly to people. It's open all year round.
Inside, you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and cheese. Many products come from local farms. There are usually about 50 different vendors in the market. You can also find shops selling Mexican, Asian, and Greek food, as well as candy and snacks.
The market is popular with both local people and tourists. There's even a "kids market" designed just for children!
Other Cool Places on Granville Island
Granville Island has more than just the market!
Granville Island Brewing
Granville Island Brewing Co. started here in 1984. It's a beer company! While their main factory moved, they still make small batches of beer on Granville Island. You can even take tours and try some of their drinks.
Ocean Concrete and Art
Ocean Concrete is the oldest business on the island. They've been here since 1917! In 2014, two artists called OSGEMEOS painted huge murals on the concrete silos. They called their art project 'Giants'.
Theatre and Arts
Granville Island is a hub for theatre. Many theatre companies are based here. These include the Arts Club Theatre Company, Arts Umbrella, and Vancouver Theatresports League. They offer plays, shows, and workshops for all ages.
Images for kids
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Vancouver seen from Granville Island
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Fresh berries at the Granville Island Public Market
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Granville Island entrance
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Hill is center of Ron Basford Park in Granville Island
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Granville Island Marina
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Granville harbour
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North-west Granville Island in 1922. Many of the buildings shown here are still standing as of 2006.
