Though the PNE’s amusement park opened in 1910, it didn’t get its first name until 1926: ‘Happy Land.’ Located near the Hastings Track, Happy Land’s rides, such as the Giant Dipper, battled for space with new stretches of racetrack.

When Happy Land moved to its current, bigger site in 1958, it got a new name – ‘Playland’ – and its famous wooden roller coaster, created by Walker LeRoy and Carl Phare.

Here’s a look back at Happy then Playland, with most photos from the City of Vancouver Archives.

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1929. Vancouver Public Library.  Leonard Frank Photographer

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1948

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1953

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1957

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1959. The Rollercoaster

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1963

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1964

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1965. Bill Baddeley and June Terry married on P.N.E. Happyland Ferris wheel

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1969. Ernie H. Reksten

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1970

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1970

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1970

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1971

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1973. Graphic Industries. First Award” sticker affixed to upper right corner recto

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1977. Ernie H. Reksten

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www.creatorsvancouver.com

Header: City of Vancouver Archives. 1970