Victory Square, Vancouver, Public square and war memorial in Downtown Vancouver, Canada
Victory Square is a public memorial site in downtown Vancouver centered around a granite cenotaph surrounded by mature maple trees and sloped green lawns. The site sits at the intersection of West Hastings Street and Cambie Street, offering multiple entry points and accessible pathways throughout the grounds.
The site functioned as Government Square in 1886, housing Vancouver's first courthouse before becoming a war memorial in 1924. This transformation reflects the city's shift from a young administrative center to a place dedicated to honoring its war losses.
The square hosts Vancouver's annual Remembrance Day ceremonies, where thousands gather to pay respects to fallen soldiers. These solemn gatherings shape how locals view and use the space throughout the year.
The site is easy to navigate with multiple pathways and clear entrances from the street. Accessible walkways make it welcoming for all visitors, and the downtown location means shops and cafes are nearby for extended visits.
The maple trees lining Pender Street, planted in 1892, rank among the city's oldest surviving street trees and predate the memorial itself. Walking among these nearly century-old trees connects visitors to an earlier Vancouver beyond the war memorial's story.
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