Skip to content

LOOK BACK: Port Alberni’s First Avenue

The Alberni Valley Museum has more than 24,000 historical photos in their online archives
31049607_web1_221123-AVN-Look-Back-PN02230-alberni_3
This photo, circa 1910, shows First Avenue looking down towards Argyle Street. On the right is the King Edward Hotel (where Port Pub is now located). This is one of 24,000 photos that can be found on the Alberni Valley Museum’s online photo archives at portalberni.pastperfectonline.com. (PHOTO PN02330 COURTESY ALBERNI VALLEY MUSEUM)

In the early 1900s, the area of First Avenue South in Port Alberni was a residential neighbourhood, gradually transitioning towards the water into a commercial district.

This photo from the Alberni Valley Museum, circa 1910, shows First Avenue looking down towards Argyle Street. The large building on the right is the King Edward Hotel, which was built in 1907 by James S. Rollin. At the time it was built, the King Edward Hotel was a 38-bedroom hotel with modern conveniences.

It burned down in 1947 and was replaced by the current building, which is now known as the Port Pub.

To view more than 24,000 historical Port Alberni photos, visit the Alberni Valley Museum’s online photo archives at portalberni.pastperfectonline.com.