Let's go back in time to get a fascinating glimpse of what Delta was like through some postcards from yesteryear.
This Delta Archives photograph postcard from 1914 shows the S. S. Transfer, a wooden sternwheeler built in 1893. The ship spent its working life on the Fraser River, delivering passengers, mail and cargo from Westham Island to New Westminster with stops at Ladner, Sunbury and Annieville as well as other landings along the Delta shore.
This postcard from 1900, which was available for sale at Fisher's Drug and Book Store in Ladner, shows people bathing in Boundary Bay.
Another postcard available at Fisher’s Drug and Book Store in the early 1920’s called “A Bend in the Road” shows an automobile traveling in Ladner.
A 1918 postcard from L.M. Hutcherson, secretary of the Comfort Club, contains the following sentiments: “Glad Christmas Greetings for the prospect of peace - May we soon welcome your comrades here.” The postcard may have been sent to a family overseas following Armistice Say for World War I. It was donated to the archives by the Whitworth family.
A postcard from the early 1920s showing sheep at the Burns Ranch property in East Ladner.
A photograph postcard of Ladner Public School showing a group of children playing in the yard. On back is letter addressed to Miss Leona Whitworth, dated August 4, 1913.
A postcard from the early 1900s of Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church. It’s now Ladner United Church. The back of the postcard notes it was printed in Great Britain.
A colour postcard printed somewhere between 1907 and 1911, available at Fisher’s Drug and Book Store, showing Westham Street (now 48th Avenue). It shows the street scene of the day including J. A. Logan's Cash Store. The annotation on the back states the view is looking west from Delta Street.
Another postcard from 1912 from Fisher’s Drug and Book Store showing the McLelan Lumber Company sawmill on River Road West in Ladner.
A 1924 postcard photograph from the Delta Archives that shows buildings on Maple Beach, including a dance hall run by Bill Waters, Water's Store and Whalen's Store, at Point Roberts. The caption on the postcard says "Stores & Dance Hall at Boundary Bay, Point Roberts, Wn".
A 1920 postcard photograph of Delta Municipal Hall in Ladner. It was used by city staff, council, police services and also had space for school board trustees. Almost 50 years later, it would be home to Delta’s museum. It’s been extensively renovated and is now home to a community policing office.
A 1940s postcard photograph of the inside of the Sacred Heart Church in Port Guichon. On the back of the postcard is written "Miss Lorraine Guichon, In appreciation of your kind donation towards the statue of the Sacred Heart. Fr. Cajetan OSA Pastor". The original statue at the head of the altar was knocked over and shattered during an earthquake in 1946.
A photograph postcard dated June 26, 1907 showing the Paterson Park race track in Ladner.
A 1905 photograph postcard of All Saints' Anglican Church in Ladner.
A 1910 colour postcard showing a field and houses called “Bird’s Eye View Ladner, BC”.
Another photograph postcard from 1910, available at Fisher’s Drug and Book Store, showing the bowling green in Ladner.
An early 1900s photograph postcard of the McNeely Residence at Jubilee Farm on Arthur Drive in Ladner.
A photograph postcard from the Delta Archives showing three women in a row boat on the shore of the Fraser River near with the Annieville cannery in the distance. The postcard is postmarked, May 15, 1912 from New Westminster and addressed to Ms. Gina Hansen of Annieville. The Annieville post office opened in 1909 and closed in 1913.
A 1908 photograph postcard of students at Ladner Public School.
A 1915 postcard of soldiers referred to as the "Ladner Boys" who were serving with the Colors at Vernon Camp.
A 1907 photograph postcard of the west side of Delta Street looking south showing the streetscape, including the newly installed electric line. Businesses on the street included Fisher's Drug Store, which still had the previous owner's sign on it (F. J. Mackenzie), H. N. Rich's office and E.T. Calvert's General machinery store.
