In the 1890s, local entrepreneurs launched electric railways in Vancouver, New Westminster, and Victoria, eager to cash in on the promise of future growth in the major cities of the time. In the Lower Mainland, two companies started building electric rail in 1890: the Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Co., which undertook the ambitious project of building the first real interurban line from New Westminster to Vancouver, and the Westminster Street Railway, who eventually built streetcar service and installed electric lighting in New Westminster. By April 20, 1891, both companies merged to form the Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Company. Local entrepreneurs Henry V. Edmonds, David Oppenheimer, Benjamin Douglas, and Samuel McIntosh, were the directors, all of whom had extensive real estate holdings in the area. Interurban service launched on June 3, 1891, travelling along 12 miles of track from New Westminster to eastern Vancouver, running through Burnaby – which was then an unincorporated area. Installing the single-track line from Vancouver to New Westminster through uneven, forested terrain was a mammoth undertaking. The clearing of the 100-foot right of way and laying the track called for a large work force, some of whom were Chinese "gandy dancers" who had worked on the Canadian Pacific Railway lines. The line was eventually taken over by the B.C. Electric Railway Company in 1897, who remained the owners until the line was finally closed on October 23, 1953 and replaced with the modern bus system. The construction of the SkyTrain along the old route in 1986 reintroduced passenger rail to this historic transportation corridor.
In 1860, as the Royal Engineers constructed the road from New Westminster to Vancouver (now Kingsway), a military reserve was set aside at the trail's highest point along the ridge. This reserve provided a particularly good scenic look-out since the original forest had burned down prior to 1860, the remaining stumps offered unobstructed views. By the 1880s, the city council of both New Westminster and Vancouver eyed the reserve as potential recreation ground. As construction of the tram line was underway, the Provincial Government moved to designate the whole reserve as a park. On January 14, 1891, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia proclaimed it as a public recreation ground.
Central Park was one of the first and fastest-growing communities in Burnaby. Located along the electric tram line and the Vancouver Road (Kingsway), it was also chosen for a government settlement project referred to as the Central Park Small Holdings. The lands held by the Provincial Government were subdivided and sold around 1894 and by 1899 the settlement was large enough to warrant the construction of an Anglican Church there.
The original route of the Central Park tramline wound through New Westminster and then came up 6th Street to Edmonds, along Edmonds and across Westminster Road (Kingsway) to Highland Park and into Vancouver. Consequently, the first area of the future Municipality to attract settlers in any number was around 6th Street and Edmonds. By 1892, about 200 people had established homes in East Burnaby.
Constructed in 1891 between Edmonds and Highland Park on the Central Park Interurban Line, the steam plant provided power to run the line, then operated by Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Company. The steam powerhouse was replaced in 1905 by a B.C. Electric substation which was put into operation to receive and distribute power from the B.C.E.R. Buntzen Lake power dam. Prior to Burnaby having its own Municipal Hall, Council meetings were often held at the boarding house adjacent to the powerhouse and in 1892, Burnaby’s first Council meeting was held at the boarding house in 1892.
1 photograph : b&w albumen print on card ; 20 x 25 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two streetcars at the Central Park siding of Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Co. Conductors, engineers and riders are posing with the streetcars. The fronts of the streetcars include painted signage reading "12" and "13" and the sides of the streetcars read "WESTMINSTER AND VANCOUVE…
1 photograph : b&w albumen print on card ; 20 x 25 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two streetcars at the Central Park siding of Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Co. Conductors, engineers and riders are posing with the streetcars. The fronts of the streetcars include painted signage reading "12" and "13" and the sides of the streetcars read "WESTMINSTER AND VANCOUVER TRAMWAY CO. LTD.".
History
Photographers Richard H. Trueman and Norman Caple operated out of Vancouver between 1891 and 1894. The photographers worked between Winnipeg and the west coast of Canada specializing in mountain and railway views, ranch scenes and Indigenous peoples.
In 1890, two companies started building electric rail; the Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Co., which undertook the ambitious project of building the first real interurban line from New Westminster to Vancouver, and the Westminster Street Railway. By April 20, 1891, both companies merged to form the Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Company. Streetcar service began in June 1891, travelling on twelve miles of track between New Westminster and eastern Vancouver and running through Burnaby. The line was taken over by the B.C. Electric Railway Company in 1897 until the line was closed in October 1953.
Inscription on recto of photograph reads: "1138_Central Parkk Sideing of Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Co. _Trueman and Caple. Photo. Vancouver B.C."
Inscription in gold ink on board reads: "Trueman & Caple_Vancouver, B.C."
Clerk be Instructed to Write the Surveryor General for Provincial Surveyor Accredited to Locate the Lines of Vancouver Road from the City Council to the Tramway Crossing