ADVERTISING INFORMATION

 Vancouver - History

200 years ago, the people of the Squamish and Burrard Bands of the Coast Salish tribe living on Vancouver had their first glimpse of Europeans. First the Spanish arrived, giving their name to Vancouver’s Spanish Banks and, in 1792, Captain George Vancouver explored the local shores. But it was not until 1862 that the first attempt was made to harvest the North Shore’s rich stands of timber, leading to fuller settlement of the area that would later become North Vancouver.

The first industry on the Vancouver was Pioneer Mills, founded in 1862 to log the huge trees of the coastal rainforest. After twice changing hands, the operation was bought by Sewell ("Sue") Prescott Moody in 1865. Near where the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool grain elevators now stand, the town of Moodyville grew up and stood as the main centre of activity on the North Shore until the mill closed in 1901. The first school was established in Moodyville. The second, Central School, opened in 1902 in a building that still stands as part of what is now Presentation House at 3rd Street and Chesterfield Avenue.

In 1891, the first municipality on the North Shore was formed as the District of  Vancouver. It stretched across the North Shore from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove but omitted Moodyville. In the early years of this century, a real estate boom took place, with speculators - including the British poet Rudyard Kipling - eager to turn a quick dollar. A new community began to take shape. In 1902, the Hotel North Vancouver was built; in 1905, the first bank - a branch of the Bank of North America - opened. A newspaper, the Express, commenced publication in 1905 and in 1906 the British Columbia Electric Railway Company began streetcar service.

Communications with Vancouver have always been an important factor in the development of the North Shore. The first ferry service was supplied by "Navvy Jack’s" rowboat in 1866. In 1867, the Sea Foam established regular ferry service that continued until 1958. The Sea bus re-established water transportation in 1977. Rail service was slower in developing. While the Pacific Great Eastern Railway inaugurated a 12.7 mile run from North Vancouver to Whytecliff in 1914, it was not until the completion of the first Second Narrows Bridge in 1925 that rail and road links with the Lower Mainland supplemented the local ferry service. Economic prosperity and rapid growth in the Lower Lonsdale area of North Vancouver led to the establishment in 1907 of the separate City of  Vancouver, with a population of approximately 1,500. West Vancouver separated from the District in 1912. Apart from the addition of Moodyville in 1915, the boundaries of the City have not changed, even though far more people now call the District home. The City as a communications hub and industrial centre was surrounded by the more rural District, both municipalities in a magnificent geographical setting that appeared to open endless possibilities. But early grandiose plans met with a number of setbacks. The real estate boom was overtaken by a worldwide depression in 1913 and then World War I delayed many projects. The depression that began in 1929, coupled with disruptions to communications over the Second Narrows caused by ships colliding with the bridge, led to economic difficulties and severe tax shortfalls. Both the City and the District were placed in receivership in 1933. But the opening of the Lions Gate Bridge in 1938 was a significant factor in making the North Shore more accessible. And the war years led to an economic revival of North Vancouver, especially because of the many ships built for the Canadian war effort.

In the post-war years, the City and the District of  Vancouver continued to grow, with most of the growth taking place in the District because of its greater land resources. The opening of the Cleveland Dam in 1954, the new Lions Gate Hospital in 1961, new municipal halls, and other significant developments such as the Lonsdale Quay market are changing the face of the North Shore. The proposed development of the former shipyards will bring a massive infusion of culture, business and people, many eager to hike mountain trails, ski and participate in outdoor activities just minutes from their doorstep.

© Copyright 2000 - 2004  AMERICAtravelling.net  POWERED BY wORLDTRAVELGATE.NET

Back to America

 Back to WTG