Yesterday afternoon, I took the family for a walk to Fallaise Park in East Vancouver, which is located in our neighbourhood in Vancouver. We live in an area called “Diaper Hill”, to many of the older residents of the area. This area of East Van is located in Renfrew Heights that encompasses the area north of East 22 Avenue down to Grandview Highway, and from Boundary Road west to Rupert Street, this is my neighbourhood called “Diaper Hill”.
Why The Name Diaper Hill?
This area of Renfrew Heights in East Vancouver is named Diaper Hill for a very interesting reason. Houses were built in the 1940s in Diaper Hill for the World War 2 veterans coming home from the war. As the plaque below states diapers were hung on the clothing lines to dry and this area is on a hill (Renfrew Heights), the area became known as “Diaper Hill”, and there you have it.
Most of the WW2 vets have passed away or moved away, all that remains are a few old 2 bedroom rancher homes, the rest of the homes have been torn down to make way from new 3 level 7 bedroom homes selling for $800,000 +. I am a newer resident to Diaper Hill living here only for the past 3.5 years. It was interesting to me to find out about the colorful history of my neighborhood and thought I would share it.
Many of the streets in Diaper Hill are named after World War 2 cities such as Normandy, Anzio and Dieppe, to name only a few of them.
Falaise Park In Renfrew Heights, East Vancouver
The History Of Diaper Hill Written On A Plaque In Falaise Park In Renfrew Heights, East Vancouver
Mural Commemorating Diaper Hill
Mural Commemorating Diaper Hill
I moved onto Anzio Drive in 1951 and went to Renfrew School then Windermere. I remember The Belchers (Sidney), the Zeilers, Youngs, Hubbards (who had a duck named Elvis), Burgess, Doyls, Rasmussens, McCormacks, Lavoies (who had chickens) and many others. There were a ton of kids my age and Halloween was a major event. If it did not rain, I would get about 5 pillowcase fulls of candy.
I was part of a band called The Barons while in Windermere. We had groupies and loved to play music. We did the oldies, then grew into the 60s music. We played live in Victoria on CHEK TV and sadly, grew apart. Now we are planning a Baron’s summer retreat in Powell River.
Love this site and remembering the past.
To Art Fisher,
You may have seen me at The McDonald’s pond. There was a raft and we used to go frogging there. I also rode my bike on the 401 before it opened.
Merry Christmas,
Terry Saltchuk
Terry: I may very well remember you. I used to ride my bike on the 401 as well before it opened. I think I was at your house, too. Man oh man. Being kids. No experiences in the world could beat those days.
The intro to the website is wrong in one way. Not most of the streets were named after Canadian war battles…ALL of them were. Can’t think of any that aren’t.
Wow. I just looked up Renfrew Heights as a lark after all these years. We moved into our house on Normandy Dr. in 1949 when I was 6 and we moved to California in 1959. My dad was a plasterer and lost a lot of work in the winter and they were doing a lot of building in California, so we moved. My mom had a sister in California and she sponsored us.
I was looking up the names of the streets because we are taking a trip next month and will be at Normandy beach in France. I remember that all the streets in the project were named after battles. My mom moved back to Canada when she was 80 and died at 88 in Chilliwack. My bother, Gordon, moved back to Canada too and lives in Chiliwack. So many memories reading the posts. Does anyone know what happened to Roberta Gairns? I also don’t remember the project ever being called Diaper Hill.
Yes, Art, they were but CV, the kind person that is the host of this site had no idea of that 🙂
Isn’t it nice that we get to post our memories here!
I grew up at 3646 Normandy Drive and I, too, remember the ice cream truck. It cost 10 cents for a fudgicle, my favourite. I sat on the curb and waited for it to come around at 2:00. When I see the cherry blossoms each spring I think of our home in the project… all those beautiful Maple trees that the city planted.
Does anyone remember the snow storms we used to get in Vancouver every winter? I remember, in 1970, slidding down Normandy. That was the year that Sandy Alexander fell through the ice and drowned 🙁 That was really, really sad for all of us!!
Do you remember having enough kids to play baseball in the summer? We would pick teams and then, using a baseball bat, with opposing captains putting their hands alternating on the handle of the bat, would determine which team would go first.
Our neighbours were the Mercier, Carpenter, Sadler, Sutherland, Daws, Koewen, Bennett, Greco families. Robert, I don’t remember Mr. Sitter pushing us but I’m certain he did…. 🙂 Thanks for bringing that back to me!
Alexander was holding onto my brother Lorne when they fell through the ice in the Alouette river. He slipped off my brother’s back and under the ice. Men from the Alouette River Unit brought them in and warmed them up. I remember my mother and I racing there when it happened. I think it was a cub scout camping trip.
And, yes, you could pretty much count on a winter storm before my birthday, November 20.
does anyone remember the dances at the boys club in the early 70s
Hi Everyone,
I’m writing about Curt Lang who lived in the project from about 1947 on. Does anyone remember him? He lived on Dieppe Dr.
I lived on 6th and Rupert, but played for the “Moffats” in the Falaise Park “B” League in 1959. So much fun, lots of friends, wonderful times. I know it’s a bit late but thank you to everyone who made that time possible.
Claudia:
Perhaps you could go onto Facebook and join Renfrew Alumni. You may be able to ask someone there if they know where Curt Lang is these days
Just wanted to confirm that I never, ever heard the name Diaper Hill. It was always The Project. I grew up near Kingsway and Joyce, and a lot of my friends came from Killarney High School. The Killarney kids in my band were afraid to go to Falaise Hall to play a dance because it was in “The Project” – a well-known rough area of Vancouver. It was known by that name far and wide. I don’t think anyone in East Vancouver called The Project by the name, Diaper Hill.
Just came across this great site that has brought back so many memories of growing up in E Van. BTW, I remember Winters Green band playing at Windermere dances. Didn’t some of the members go on to form Apple Jack & then become Trooper? We lived just outside “The Project” as the area was always called. This is the first I’ve heard of it being called Diaper Hill. Lived on E 19th but as we got older hung around with kids from Falaise Park. Lived in the area from 1955 – 1971 when I graduated from Windermere. As well, got to know more kids from the Project cause of Girl Guides & baseball & going to Windermere. I have many of the same memories of growing up as most of you. Just a few blocks over from the Project, we did all the same things. Outside playing with tons of neighbourhood kids from dawn til dusk (when the street lights came on it was always known as the time to go home). Lots of boys in the area had bands & all wanted to be famous! Great, safe area for kids with little or no crime. Innocence abound. I recognize a lot of the names mentioned. Thanks so much for sharing all your memories & for this informative site.
My sister Sharon & I grew up on Mons Drive. I lived there from 1949-1971. It was never referred to as Diaper Hill. It was known as the Project. My parents rented until CMHC said they had to purchase or move out. My dad worked at Colman Furniture not a high paying job. They scraped $8000 together and bought their home.
Times were tough. Everyone had a clothes line. Most were poor and all vets from WW2.
We were poor but we knew how to garden, grow our fresh veggies and yes recycled in our compost box. Glen Hopping is right it’s known as the “Project” we should know. We are the original baby boomers from that era.
Commented July 25 but the last name is Cade not Case. Getting older can’t spell. Love the comments. Hope to see more. Thanks for the site
I had never heard it refered to as Diaper Hill….It was always known as “The Project” I grew up on 27th Ave and Rupert Street, my First Paper Route was in The project…that would be around 1967….I was lost in there… so many cul de sacs.
Many of my friends and school chums lived there, The Robinson’s on Normandy Drive, The Scholte’s, The Beet’s The Dirk’s….awesome neighbourhood…we used to play ball at Falaise Park..sled there in the winter..climb the trees at Renfrew Elementary along 22nd Ave….I remember when the Canada Safeway at 22nd and Rupert was like a Superstore of it’s time.
Good Memories.
my parent bought our house at 3222 Matapan Crescent in 58 it cost $7,500.00 we had a view of the whole coastal range out our front window. You could see the Woodwards W our the front window too.A very tight knit community back then everyone knew the families around them and there was interaction all the time. We were very blessed back then cause everyone looked out for each other. There was activities being sports for all ages boys and girls. The schools were close lots of areas to run and play without fear. To look at Falaise Park now everything has grown so big but it looks so much smaller…this is through the eyes of youth then to old. I grew up in good company in those days and thanks go to all my neighbors. I cherish those days and hold them dear to my heart.
We were on the North Corner of malta and Dieppe, right by the church from 1956 – 1990. We were the ones with the Boxer dog named Cindy….the dogs all ran wild in those days ….my mom and I would go for a walk in the evening or go to the store and people would walk by and nod and smile and then say…’oh…this is Cindy isn’t it?’ they knew her better than they knew us! there was an bush island in the middle of boundary road a big billboard on it and we used to play under it and pick up the empty bottles to take to the store. the back lanes we went through to get there weren’t paved and we were always in bare feet!
check out the new this past week, facebook page….’Renfrew heights the Project kids’ we are working on a map and planning a reunion at Falaise….join the group by messaging your name and your old address for confirmation that you are from ‘the Project’….Diaper Hill…never heard of it til this year!!
and Yes, Rick Rooney is my brother! Still a handsome guy! 🙂
i want to thank ken payette again for helping me out a couple of years ago.hope yer doin okay you were like a true brother and we will have to hook up again.remember the kraft food strike and the chickens.
i would like to thank ken payette for helping me out a couple of years ago. you are a true bother and we will have to hook up again.hope things are going okay for ya.remember the kraft food strike and the chickens.
looking for mike cade sister sharon.lived next to you on mons dr.brother bill sisters shirley and barb.look for me on facebook would like to join your group the project kids.tried but no luck.
I grew up on grandview hwy. We moved in there when I was About 2 years old. My dad is still living there he is now 96 yrs old in the same house that we moved into. I only heard the name diaper hill in the later years. I knew it as the project too. I still go into the area alot to visit my dad. Went to the Annex and Renfrew elemntary and then Windermere. I had an older sister Marilyn a brother Perry and younger sister Gail. Lots of good old memories.
My name is Don McLellan, a former Project resident (Mons Drive)and — FYI, because I loved the place so much — authored a collection of short stories largely set in the neighbhbourhood, called In the Quiet After Slaughter, published by Libros Libertad in 2008. (The book was a finalist for a national literary prize in 2009, the ReLit Awards.) It is not a factual history of the place; it’s fiction, one person’s impression. The book’s Prologue, which can be viewed at the Libros Libertad website, was a condensed version of a longer Project history written for the Vancouver Sun several years ago. I grew up with many of the contributors to this site and remember them all fondly — Glen Hopping, Cheryl Hudson, Art Fisher, Terry Saltchuk, the Haryus, Mike Cade, Bill Moore of Collingwood, the McLeod boys, the Gulbransens, the Dempsters and the Dicks, the Belchers and many, many more who have moved away or passed on but live on in our memories. Allow me to weigh in on The Project/Diaper Hill discussion: I would agree that the ‘hood was known as The Project by our generation. I believe it was sometimes referred to as Diaper Hill — and much later as Widows’ Hill — by our parents, who, after all, had to scrub the diapers.
I new Gus MacDonald I hung out with his nephews Ronald & Ian Macdonald they lived on Mons Dr. just up the street from me. Ronald use to drive his uncle hydroplanes.Ronald & Ian and their 2 sisters moved to California years ago.The sisters Heather & Rosemary have since moved back to the Vancouver area.
Was in the Renfrew School yard last night walking the dogs with Glen H. & he said there were some “Project Kids” sites to look at. We moved to Anzio in 1951, I married the girl next door in 1974 and after a year or two in the wastelands of Burnaby, we bought a house on Dieppe. Stayed there until @ 10 years ago and moved back to Anzio when we bought the old home from Mom & Dad’s estate. A lot of familiar names mentioned here, a lot of memories. Diaper Hill ?? Nah, but I do recall the VPD refering to it as “The War Zone”. Not many of us old timers left, it’s still a great place but it’s certainly a different mix of people now. Daughter and Son-In-Law would’ve loved to buy here but just too expensive so they bought in Port Moody in a sub division that is so “Project”. Kids running loose on all the winding streets and cul-de-sacs, ball hockey nets everywhere……… 🙂
great place to grow up- does anybody remember robbie lived right across the street from the dicks and next door to the sills-he was blind-lived on the corner of mons-like to know his last name -don mclellan might know-one family that did alot for project kids was norm dick- there should be some great stories out there about him
City of Vancouver is now replacing all the Project street signs with ones that have a red Poppy on. Anzio’s went up today. Apparantly the Feds are paying for it. Wife spoke to the crew who were really surprised when she told them it was a good idea, albeit many years too late. She explained to them a bit of the history. The crew commented that she was the first person with positive comments about it, most were “what’s that for”, “how much is this costing us”, and so on. Guess there aren’t many of us Project people left there who have any inkling of what it’s all about.
As Sandie said to the crew: “It’s too bad the Vets are all dead now, kinda late”.
Hello Derek D!
Robbie’s last name is Turner, and he lives in California. The eldest was Dougie, who I stayed with in L.A. several times years ago, and the middle boy was Bruce who, sadly, passed away.
HI DON- GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU-HOW IS BILLY-DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN GET HIS PHONE NUMBER-YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT [email protected] PS BEERS SOMEDAY SOON
Hi everyone! Just found out about this site. I moved into #7 Malta Place in 1955. My father was a vet so my parents bought the house under the veterans land act. I started school at the annex and remember well all the great days playing with the children that were everywhere. I would say that I would only be repeating all of your memories as mine. I also graduated to Renfrew Hieghts. I attented Windermere for one year. I was so glad when they built it because I could see the smoke stack of Van Tech out my bedroom window while I grew up. It terrified me that I would be going there..I saw all those guys hanging out there in their leather jackets..lol..Oh the fun of buying a loaf of bread and getting a book of tickets for rides at playland. Ride for free all day or add a nickle for some rides..And what about the ice arena..oh I can remember the smell of that place..sharpening those old rentals..and what about roller skating..When my mom was sleeping in from working at Crown Zellerback on LuLu Island I could talk her into giving me her change purse..My dad worked on the tugs as an engineer and he would be gone 3 weeks at a time..then he would come home and ruin our little world of all females..there were four of us..lol..loved the library bus, Falaise park, the baseball games and playing under the bleechers. Sacks of candy at Hallowe’en..jumping off the roof..playing until I was exhausted..and then there was the partyline..phone a number and jam it up and you could hear people from all over..you had to connect by yelling..I am still best friends with my girlfriend Jennifer who lived at #8 Malta Place.
I never called it the projects or diaper hill..or heard it called that until now. It was called Renfrew Heights. It had dignity.Fine people lived there and raised fine children through hardship. I never felt poor or not cared for. I thought my schooling was the best I could have ever asked for. Oh and remember the vegetable truck..he sold vegetables and as soon as he was on his way we’d jump onto the back of it and ride up the hill..he knew we were there..and the man that came around with the pony and little costume, and he would take your picture.
My parent had our house raised eventually too. And it was the Zebiaks that did it. They build a nice retaining wall around the house. A deck off the back porch. And my father always had the whole back yard as a vegetable garden. And did it produce..enough to share with the neighbours.Well, I quess we could all just go on and on about living there..I know I could..but enough said..very fond memories..not to mention some sad ones..I left with my parents at the age of 13 for some godforsaken place called White Rock. Not even a street light..or bus to Vancouver. I am 60 years old now and I have driven through that area dozens of times dredging up memories from so long ago.
Heard a documentry on CBC about the Heights the other day. Brought back memories for me when my family lived on Normandy Drive. My dad was a Seaforth Highlander Vet. After he came back from Italy he contracted Polio.The veterns administration set our family up in a duplex on Normandy Drive with a wheelchair ramp. Boy, just reading all the stories from residents brings back memories. It was a great place to be a kid.
I was listening to the radio on Oct.11/11 at around 1:30. I don’t know what station it was but a man was being interviewed about Renfrew Heights. He was discussing children growing up in dysfunctional homes. He mentioned that there was a group of about 70 people from the Heights that were on Facebook and discussed their personal experiences. If anyone has any information about this I am very interested because I too have a story to share. Thank-you.
3405 Dieppe Drive looking for facebook page for kids from the project
Moved into project in 1947 with my parents Harry and Grace and my 2 brothers Brian and Roy. Went to Renfrew school grade 1-6 then to Van Teck 7-12.Brothers went to annex the main school then Windermire.Ileft in 64 when my mother past on.
the wonderful era is a memory
few would believe. our era
in our house is as we speak for sale 63 fab years of my life
memories yes the ice-man bringing blocks of ice for
the cold boxes, coal bins,bon ami,frozen towels on the lines,
and halloween nite neighboors
making bon fires roasting
marshmellows oh yes it was
wonderful
Grew up on Normandy Dr with Brother Bob and Sister Susan- went to Renfrew School and Van. Tech – looking for Facebook page
I’m one of the older kids who moved into the Project, January 1953 with sister and brother … at 3250 Matapan Crescent. And we called it “Maternity Crescent in Diaper Heights” because there were so many babies being born – usually we called it The Project, however. No frig, no washing machine, no hot water boiler, no basement, and very little insulation – but it was home! Several war brides on the street, tons of kids, and no services for them for several years. Finally got a Little League started and the dads did their best, including ours. Finally got the Falaise club building built. Lots of friendly baseball and football games after school and on weekends. And I earned a small fortune babysitting! Tech was actually a great school – not sure why people mention it as scary – big, yes, a few rough guys yes, but lots of great kids there too, and some fascinating teachers. I also just remembered the great fresh produce being delivered to our door by Yen Soo – he was such a dignified friendly man. Several of his sons now continue under Yen Brothers. Everything was delivered, back then. A good atmosphere at the Project – because everyone was truly “in the same boat” in many ways, and everyone helped each other as best they could. Nice to see this website – I only just found out about it through my sister Leita, who got it from Betty (Watt). Cheers to everyone.
Yes, the comments do bring back memories. Great to hear them. Does anybody remember the Falaise Dances and our “bouncers”?
Houses were built in the 1940s in, Willingdon Heights, North Burnaby, for the World War 2 veterans coming home from the war, too.
I grew up as a child there.
Fraserview was the same. Three communities of babyboomers.
I grew up on Matapan Crescent. We moved in 1958..my Mom was in the Army, my Father was a Merchant Marine but in those days they weren’t recognized for their service… we had a 2 bedroom bungalow and it was heated by coal, then we moved on to oil. One could never ask for a better place to raise their children…it was all for one and one for all :). Reading through all the above comments brought tears to my eyes as the memories came flowing back…what is so very remarkable now is that many of us still to this day keep in touch..we were a special group as all our parents saw war and we were the offspring of that time in their lives…it made us strong and full of courage, and a we all kinda stuck together…everyone knew everyones sister or brother and looked out for each other..one would be hard pressed to find the unity that we had growing up the Project :)…
with me where ever i go
We (me and older brother George)moved to ‘The Project’ in 1951 with mom and dad (Dorothy and Everett, or Ev and Dot as most neighbours called them). Younger brothers Laurie and Ron arrived via Burnaby General Hospital in 1954 and 1956. Mom, now 87, still lives in the same house at 3611 Vimy Crescent where we grew up, just 5 doors away from the Haryu’s (Al & Mary, Barry, Wayne and Stu. Sadly, Stu passed away much too young).
What a great place to grow up! Doors were never locked, and you felt welcome at any home you entered. Some other names I remember fondly are Tom and Lorna McEwen; Patti and Jackie McIntosh; Cheryl, Linda and Janie Hudson; Barry Whitley and Kelly Wiens; Patty, Mona, Leslie and Kim Miller; Joan, Gail and Ted Olynick; Diane and Gloria Nerbas; David and Wendy Smith; Sharon and Cheryl Scott;
Trevor and Ginny Stubbs; Wayne and Billy Foster; Don and Linda Haggerty; Bob and Shirley Champagne; Bob, Larry and Patti Doiron; Joe (Barry) Kirton; Tim, Gary, Neil and Denise Harvey; Dwight, Nola and Kim Sdrogefske; John, Jim, Janet, Mike and Roddy McLeod; Gerald, Brian and Angela Funk; Sandy and Jimmy Manuel; Ole Petersen; and yes I remember Art Fisher. These families homes were all within a 2 minute walk, and most were on Vimy. I remember dad as the self proclaimed Mayor of Vimy (he passed away January 1997).
Many more names come to mind
Old landmarks? I remember the Home gas station (where Wendy’s now sits) with the bushes at the back where we explored, experimented and hunted. The old frog pond where McDonald’s is now, The BA gas station at Grandview and Rupert (became Gulf later) with RCA Victor across Rupert St. I remember (near McDonald’s) the Pepsi-Cola plant’s grand opening where we drank as much free Pepsi as we wanted during the tour and then were given a a gold coloured, clear plastic, Pepsi logo’d yo-yo. McGavins Bakery was on the northwest corner of Boundary and Kingsway where we would scrounge some white frosted mini donuts from a kind employee as we walked to or from the Central Park swimming pool.
It truly is incredible what an indelible mark the Project placed on everyone that grew up there. A real pride. I lived on Seaforth with my older sisters, Virginia, Carmen and brother Bob. Arriving at two months old (or so?) in 1961 with the house coming down in 2000 with my Father’s passing. My brother remained on Seaforth (just up the road beside the Punkos)up until a few weeks back when he reluctantly moved to NV.
Box hockey, tetherball, ‘fan tailing’ the water pipe as it filled the pool, climbing onto the clubhouse roof from around back, giving directions while playing ball hockey at the two posts, the one armed ice cream man, Halloween car chases and yes,hearing my Mom call me home from wherever I might have wandered.
The War Zone,for sure…I was one who kept my head down.
Hello,
I lived at 3376 Anzio Drive and am trying to put together all the original owners.
Back the I remember Halloween and filling 4 pillow cases full of candy. Kids were in the hundreds.
My dad raised out house and we dug out the basement and removed the chimney because gas was coming. Out with the oil and in with the new.
If anybody wants, send me your last name and Anzio address. I will return what I have so far.
cheers,
Terry
We lived on Malta Place from 1950 until 1961. I graduated at Renfrew then 1 year at Windermere and 1 year at Van Tech before moving and graduating at Killarney Sec. I remember practically loving outside playing kick the can, hide’n seek, cowboys and Indians, spin the bottle, sledding/skiing in winter down the oval, bike riding, and playing softball. All the kids, boys and girls alike played games together. Names I remember…..the Bennets, Bunny, Lorna, Dukey Brown, Barry Whitely Brian, the Athertons (who I used to babysit) Jennifer & Donny, Carolyn, Stanley & Leonard.
The views of the Lions were spectacular, our doors were never locked, Halloween was amazing…people very generous. Pictures taken on “the pony” we’re always something to look forward to, Hanna Clinic, the corner store at Grandview/Boundary are remembered. The ice-cream truck was always something looked forward to. The milkman delivering to our door was common. I wished my kids and grandchildren could have lived the childhood I had, it was good clean fun, safe and had a real community spirit about it. Those were the good ole days! Great memories. I remember the field off Boundary Road & Grandview Hwy. where half wild horses were boarded and how I would ride them bareback. How thrilling it was. Would love to see Barry W. again…..he taught me how to French kiss. I felt so grown up even though I was only 10 oh yes, I remember the boy who walked me home from school and carried my books but when he tried to kiss me I slapped him so hard across the face. Such fond memories…so sweet. Hi to everyone who was part of my childhood and for making it special. 🙂
Submitted my comment #93, it is not posted yet!
This is a great site with many fabulous memories. We should record these somehow!
We moved to Dieppe Place around 1954 or 55. So many great memories of this neighbourhood. I loved that you could go outside and there was always someone to play with. I didn’t go to school with the neighbourhood kids, but I remember the lovely summer days playing in the field or at Falaise Park. It was a great place to grow up.
I’m Don Bergland. I just discovered this very interesting site. My family (the Berglands) moved to Renfrew Heights in 1956 when I was 10 years old. We resided at 3476 Mons Drive. I believe our block consisted of the the Dirks, Nobles, Berglands, Leaches, Cades, and the Grants. My family consisted of myself (Don), my brother (Daryl), my mother (Leonora), and my father (Bob). I attended grades 4 to 6 at Renfrew Elementary (Grade 4 – Miss Dick, Grade 5 – Mr. Smith, Grade 6 – ?). In 1958, the school actually sponsored a grade 6 graduation ceremony. I then attended Vancouver Tech from grades 7 to 9, before moving out of the area in 1961. Vivid memories of this era are hazy at best, but a dynamic remembrance of the youthful ambience of this area remains strong. It would be great to develop a platform where we could share photographs from this era.