Gallery
A Year at the Narrows
Twelve moments in the life of the Lions Gate Bridge, one for each month. Every scene is an artist’s impression, painted with the sun, moon and stars where they truly stand at that time of year. Free 4K wallpaper downloads.
Published Updated
- Jan · A Moon Over the NarrowsA full moon lifts out of the east as twilight lingers on the North Shore snow. Below, the Lions Gate Bridge draws its own line of light across the water.
- Feb · Rose Gold on the PeaksThe last low sun turns the snow on the North Shore mountains to rose gold, while the water below the Lions Gate Bridge keeps the cool blue of evening.
- Mar · Equinox SunsetOn the day when light and dark are nearly even, the sun slips away due west and leaves the whole sky glowing above the Lions Gate Bridge at First Narrows.
- Apr · Blossom SeasonCherry blossom frames the Ambleside shore in West Vancouver while the evening sun lights the Lions Gate Bridge from behind us.
- May · Golden Hour at Prospect PointLate May stretches the evening at Prospect Point, and the low gold light finds every cable, tower and tree around the Lions Gate Bridge.
- Jun · Longest DayAt the summer solstice the sun lingers until after nine, and its reflection runs straight across the water to your feet, with the Lions Gate Bridge beyond.
- Jul · Under the BridgeA cruise ship slides beneath the span of the Lions Gate Bridge at First Narrows in the long light of a July evening, bound for the harbour.
- Aug · Meteors Over the NarrowsIn the deep of an August night, meteors streak across the Milky Way while the Lions Gate Bridge wears its necklace of lights.
- Sep · Harvest Moon RisingA nearly full moon steps over the eastern horizon above Burrard Inlet while the sun behind us is still gilding the shore and the Lions Gate Bridge.
- Oct · Maples at Prospect PointLate October gold frames the view at Prospect Point: bigleaf maple leaves in the foreground, the old green Lions Gate Bridge behind them.
- Nov · Birthday NightOn the Lions Gate Bridge’s birthday the lights shine over First Narrows, while a full moon rides high just out of the picture.
- Dec · First SnowFresh snow on the shore and the North Shore mountains, and a low winter sun that never climbs far above the Lions Gate Bridge and the Narrows.
Historic photographs, restored
Old pictures from the City of Vancouver Archives and the West Vancouver Memorial Library, restored by the museum with AI assistance. They are historic photographs and film frames, not artist’s impressions. Each carries the credit of the library or archive that holds it. These credits do not mean that the Archives or the Library endorses this museum or the restoration.
Photographs
Old photographs, restored with AI assistance. The original is offered beside each restored file.
1st Narrows Bridge construction
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1576-S6-16-F024-: 2011-010.127 (photographer not recorded)
AI-assisted restoration
Source: City of Vancouver Archives (Vancouver Centennial Commission fonds)Restored · 2164 × 3750Original · 1731 × 3000
H.M.C.S. Warrior passing under the Lions' Gate Bridge
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1184-S1-: CVA 1184-3461, Jack Lindsay, photographer
AI-assisted restoration
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 3750 × 2932Original · 3000 × 2346
RMS Empress of Canada under Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1535-: CVA 99-2949, Stuart Thomson, photographer
AI-assisted restoration
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 3750 × 2970Original · 3000 × 2376
H.M.S. Warrior (passing under Lions Gate Bridge)
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-8897.1, Walter E. Frost, photographer (record: "Photograph to be credited as follows: Photograph by Walter E. Frost.")
AI-assisted restoration
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 3750 × 2095Original · 3000 × 1676
Lions Gate Bridge Construction
West Vancouver Memorial Library, digital collection 2838573 (original: Vancouver City Archives 0057.VCA). Copyright holder: Vancouver City Archives
AI-assisted restoration
Source: West Vancouver Memorial LibraryRestored · 3515 × 2728
Lions Gate Bridge Construction
West Vancouver Memorial Library, digital collection 2838571 (original: Vancouver City Archives 0059.VCA, VCA Br.P24). Copyright holder: Vancouver City Archives
AI-assisted restoration
Source: West Vancouver Memorial LibraryRestored · 3388 × 2672
Lions Gate Bridge Construction
West Vancouver Memorial Library, digital collection 2838661 (original: Vancouver Public Library 0151.VPL), Leonard Frank
AI-assisted restoration
Source: West Vancouver Memorial LibraryRestored · 3391 × 2666
Lions Gate Bridge Construction
West Vancouver Memorial Library, digital collection 2838669 (original: Vancouver Public Library 0154.VPL), Leonard Frank
AI-assisted restoration
Source: West Vancouver Memorial LibraryRestored · 3379 × 2636
Construction of Lions Gate Bridge
West Vancouver Memorial Library, digital collection 2840198
AI-assisted restoration
Source: West Vancouver Memorial LibraryRestored · 1615 × 2400
King George & Queen Elizabeth Motorcade
West Vancouver Memorial Library, digital collection 2840648, 2223.WVML, Andrew A. Reid
AI-assisted restoration
Source: West Vancouver Memorial LibraryRestored · 3721 × 2614
Frames from the archive’s film
One real frame from each of the Archives’ films of the bridge, restored with AI assistance. A film frame is small and soft, so the restored file is larger than the original but shows no more than the film does. The Archives dates only each reel (1937–1938, and 1939); the date under a shot is the museum’s best estimate from other sources, and the frame itself does not show it.
Tower under construction, steelwork and crane
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2012-091.1, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 1620 × 1080Original · 720 × 480
Main-cable catwalk rising beside tower
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2012-091.1, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 1620 × 1080Original · 720 × 480
Deck truss section hanging in the air, North Shore behind
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2012-091.1, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 1620 × 1080Original · 720 × 480
Looking up between tower legs: suspenders and deck section
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2012-091.1, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 1620 × 1080Original · 720 × 480
Deck sections hung from suspenders against dark sky
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2012-091.1, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 1620 × 1080Original · 720 × 480
Toll plaza "STOP PAY TOLL" with workers, still being finished
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2012-091.1, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 1620 × 1080Original · 720 × 480
Concrete lion at the south end of the Lions Gate Bridge
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2012-091.1, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 1620 × 1080Original · 720 × 480
Cars driving toward the bridge under the road arch, tower and North Shore mountains beyond
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2012-091.1, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 1620 × 1080Original · 720 × 480
Aerial view of the finished bridge over First Narrows
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2012-091.1, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 1620 × 1080Original · 720 × 480
Pedestal with a plaque, lion at the left edge (plaque text not legible)
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2017-055.2, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 2162 × 1620Original · 1441 × 1080
Royal motorcade with motorcycle escort between crowds on the tree-lined road
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2017-055.2, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 2162 × 1620Original · 1441 × 1080
Ocean liner passing beneath the bridge span, city behind
City of Vancouver Archives, AM1487-F07-: 2017-055.2, Alfred James Towle Taylor (creator per record)
AI-assisted restoration from film frame
Source: City of Vancouver ArchivesRestored · 2162 × 1620Original · 1441 × 1080
Wallpaper sizes
Every size below is a download link: each picture has a Desktop and a Phone button above, and “More sizes” opens the other five. They are all on the picture’s own page too. Sized for iPhone Duo: inner display 1878 × 2670, outer display 1398 × 2034.
| Device | Size |
|---|---|
| 4K desktop | 3840 × 2160 |
| Desktop | 2560 × 1440 |
| iPhone | 1290 × 2796 |
| Galaxy Z Fold / Pixel Fold | 2208 × 1768 |
| iPhone Duo inner display (portrait) | 1878 × 2670 |
| iPhone Duo inner display (landscape) | 2670 × 1878 |
| iPhone Duo outer display | 1398 × 2034 |
Wallpaper licence
These pictures are artist’s impressions: artistic works, not photographs. Each one is painted with the sun, moon and stars placed for its time of year.
Free for personal use: as a wallpaper on your phone or computer, a video-call background or a slide. No resale or commercial use.
Every download file carries a small, faint mark in its lower-right corner: Artist’s impression · © lionsgatebridge.org.