David Oppenheimer

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David Oppenheimer (January 1, 1834 – December 31, 1897) was a successful entrepreneur, and the second mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Oppenheimer was born in Blieskastel, Germany and emigrated to the United States in 1848 with his four brothers: Charles, Meyer, Isaac and Godfrey. By 1851 they had travelled to California upon hearing of the California Gold Rush. Following the decline of the California rush, they relocated to Victoria, British Columbia in the late 1850s, and with his brother Charles established a supply business. As the Fraser River and Cariboo gold rushes took off during 1860 – 1861, they together established stores in the interior at Yale, Hope, Lytton, Barkerville, and Fisherville that catered to the prospectors and settlers.

David Oppenheimer did extensive business with the Canadian Pacific Railway during its construction through the mountains of British Columbia in the 1880s, and realizing its importance, relocated to its western terminus at Granville (now Vancouver) in 1885 or early 1886. In 1887 Oppenheimer and his brothers opened the first wholesale grocery business in the fledgling city, which still exists as The Oppenheimer Group. During this period he involved himself in municipal politics, and was elected the second Mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia, serving from 1888 to 1891. During his four years as mayor, he established a streetcar service and a water connection to the city from the Capilano River. He also donated land to the city for parks and helped to establish the British Columbia Electric Railway.