15 vintage photos from the first Grey Cup in Vancouver, 1955

Vancouver has served as host city for the Grey Cup game 15 times. The city’s first time hosting in 1955 was a major milestone for the Canadian Football League, marking only the second time since its inception the game was held outside of Ontario.

The 43rd Grey Cup game was played at Vancouver’s Empire Stadium, and with 39,417, the match set a record for the largest attending crowd that wasn’t broken until 1976.

Defending their Grey Cup title, the Edmonton Eskimos beat the Montreal Alouettes with a score of 34-19.

“Two Grey Cup records that still stand today were established in this game,” notes the CFL. The Eskimos’ Normie Kwong set a record for most rushing attempts with 30, while Sam Etcheverry’s 508 passing yards are the most ever in a Grey Cup game.

Let’s take a look back at images from the first time Vancouver ever hosted the Grey Cup in 1955.

Crane hoisting up Grey Cup sign, November 1955 (Province Newspaper via Vancouver Public Library)

Woman with Grey Cup upon its arrival Vancouver, November 18, 1955 (Province Newspaper via Vancouver Public Library)

Montreal team arrives for Grey Cup in Vancouver, November 24, 1955 (Province Newspaper via Vancouver Public Library)

Montreal team arrives for Grey Cup in Vancouver, November 24, 1955 (Province Newspaper via Vancouver Public Library)

Grey Cup marching band at the Empire Stadium, November 26, 1955 (Photo by Eric DeWitt via Vancouver Public Library)

Grey Cup marching band at the Empire Stadium, November 26, 1955 (Photo by Eric DeWitt via Vancouver Public Library)

Miss B.C. Lions in Grey Cup parade, November 26, 1955. Glenda Sjoberg wearing a fur coat in an open car with bouquet of flowers and the Grey Cup. Corner of Georgia and Granville. (Photo by Eric DeWitt via Vancouver Public Library)

Grey Cup Parade 1955. (Province Newspaper via Vancouver Public Library)

Grey Cup parade float, November 26, 1955. Float passing Courthouse on Georgia, with Hotel Vancouver in the background. (Photo by Eric DeWitt via Vancouver Public Library)

Grey Cup crowds, November 26, 1955. Crowds outside of Hotel Vancouver in the evening. Gray Line Sightseeing Tours buses. (Photo by Eric DeWitt via Vancouver Public Library)

Grey Cup crowds, November 26, 1955. (Photo by Eric DeWitt via Vancouver Public Library)

Chinese Times Grey Cup win headlines. November 26, 1955. (Province Newspaper via Vancouver Public Library)

Men holding newspapers showing Grey Cup headlines (Province Newspaper via Vancouver Public Library)

Grey Cup farewell, November 1955 (Province Newspaper via Vancouver Public Library)

Bonus: Here’s a little footage from the game itself…

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Featured image: Man with Grey Cup sign, November 1955 (Province Newspaper via Vancouver Public Library)