hogan's alley: vancouvers lost black community & it's revival

hogan’s alley was a place where black canadians, indigenous peoples, and other cultural communities came together to create a rich tapestry of life, music, and activism. though much of it was erased in the 1970s, the spirit of hogan’s alley is being revived today. there’s an instagram nowadays for you to follow along regarding updates & education! they’re having a revival date on sept 20th this weekend!

*check out their instagram: @hogans.alley
revival date: sept 20th! (1pm - 7pm)
place: people's park (722 gore ave)

what was hogan’s alley?

hogan’s alley was the local, unofficial name for park lane, an alley that ran through the southwestern corner of strathcona in vancouver, british columbia, canada. the alley was located between union and prior (north–south) and ran from approximately main street to jackson avenue (west–east). the area was ethnically diverse, populated by black, italian, chinese, japanese, jewish, and indigenous residents during the first six decades of the twentieth century. home to a number of black families, black businesses, and the city's only black church (the african methodist episcopal fountain chapel), hogan's alley has been referred to as the "first and last neighbourhood in vancouver with a substantial concentrated black population". hogan's alley had a vibrant nightlife, with eateries and nightclubs that hosted local residents, railway porters, and touring musicians!

early black settlers: escaped slaves and immigrants

the roots of vancouver's black community trace back to the mid-1800s. in 1858, following the fraser river gold rush, several hundred black americans… “free men and women” (although they were “indentured servants” which is something else i’ll probably write about), escaped slaves, and travelers; settled in victoria, british columbia. they were drawn by the promise of equal political and economic rights upon becoming british subjects. many of these settlers were free men and women from the northern and southern u.s., while others included escaped slaves and travelers looking to make their fortune.

these early black pioneers faced significant challenges, including systemic racism and exclusion. despite these obstacles, they established communities, churches, and businesses, laying the foundation for future generations!

(this picture is from amber valley, which is another place i’ll talk about eventually!)

the glen brae house (vancouver)

while the black community in vancouver was establishing itself, the city also witnessed the presence of the ku klux klan. in 1925, the klan set up a chapter in vancouver, establishing their headquarters in a mansion in shaughnessy heights. the klan's activities in vancouver were part of a broader expansion of the group into canada during the 1920s.

“as part of the organization’s expansion into canada in the 1920s, the kkk staged a public march from downtown to the newly acquired shaughnessy mansion. they rented the manor for around a year, before a combination of factors including internal conflicts led to their exit.”

”the property is currently used as the canuck place children’s hospice. the city of vancouver, has rented glen brae to canuck place for a $1 annual fee and fifty-year term since 1993. between 1993-1995 the building underwent a $5 million renovation by architects downs & archambault. canuck place officially opened on october 26, 1995, becoming the first free-standing children’s hospice in north america.”

read more about the house here,
*where those quotes are pulled from:
https://www.heritagesitefinder.ca/location/1690-matthews-st-vancouver-bc

a cultural hotspot

in the 1940s and 1950s, hogan’s alley was a lively area filled with a number of popular black cultural institutions. as a result of mayor l. d. taylor's governing approach in the 20s and 30s… to focus police resources on major crimes while simply regulating and managing vice crimes; many clubhouses, illegal drinking establishments, brothels, and gambling dens operated in the area, as they did in many other areas around vancouver.

local establishments included vie’s chicken and steak house, a beloved eatery owned by viva “vie” moore, and mother’s tamale and chilli parlour, owned by “mother” alexander. these venues were more than just restaurants though, they were community gathering spots where music, conversation, and activism flourished. i don’t know if you’ve ever been to a cookout or wanted to attend one, but there is a reason that soul food is coveted… it’s delicious.

notable residents and visitors

one of the most famous residents was nora hendrix, grandmother of guitar legend jimi hendrix. nora co-founded the african methodist episcopal (ame) fountain chapel, vancouver’s first black church, and worked at vie’s chicken and steak house. jimi often visited his grandparents in vancouver, and it's said he played his guitar at vie’s after hours.

the area also attracted a host of black celebrities of that time, including billie holiday, louis armstrong, sammy davis jr., nat king cole, and cab calloway, who performed at local venues during their tours.

the displacement

in the 1950s and 1960s, vancouver's city planners targeted strathcona for urban renewal, deeming it a "slum" in need of redevelopment. this led to the construction of the georgia and dunsmuir viaducts, which displaced many residents of hogan’s alley. the community was further fragmented by the construction of the viaducts, and much of the area was demolished. the creation of the viaducts was part of a larger freeway project motivated by “urban renewal” plans.

why this matters to me

as someone who was raised in vancouver and is part of the bipoc community, hogan’s alley represents more than just history, it’s part of my own story. growing up here, i didn’t often see black or racialized histories reflected in the way the city talked about itself. learning about hogan’s alley gave me a sense of belonging and reminded me that communities like mine have always existed here, even if city planning tried to erase them.

as a therapist and someone who has always worked in health care, this history matters to me because identity, culture, and community are essential parts of mental health. when whole communities are displaced or erased, the impact lingers for generations. healing requires not only individual work but also recognition of these collective histories. hogan’s alley is a reminder that resilience and connection are powerful forces and that reclaiming space and narrative can be deeply healing for individuals and communities alike.

revival and recognition

despite the erasure, the legacy of hogan’s alley has been kept alive through the efforts of community organizations and events. in 2021, the city of vancouver honored nora hendrix by naming a street nora hendrix way, adjacent to st. paul’s hospital. in 2014, she was also commemorated with an official canadian postage stamp for her influential role within the community.

on september 20, 2025, the hogan’s alley society is hosting the hogan’s alley resurgence! a free, black-led community celebration of the revival of black culture and legacy in the heart of vancouver. the event will take place at people's park (722 gore ave) from 1 pm to 7 pm. it will be a day of music, storytelling, food, and community, bringing together elders, youth, artists, and activists to honor the past and envision the future.

hogan’s alley was more than just a neighborhood… it was a testament to the resilience, creativity, and spirit of vancouver’s black community. as we approach the hogan’s alley resurgence, it's an opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a future where the contributions of black canadians are recognized and honored.

the story of life is quicker than the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello and goodbye… until we meet again.
- jimi henrdix

thanks for reading!
- paula