With a history and culture that's inexorably tied to its waterfront location, Port Moody played a significant role in the evolution of Canada's west coast.
Long ago, First Nations such as the Squamish, Musqueam and other Coast Salish peoples migrated here every summer. They harvested the salmon runs (ancient middens are still in evidence today) and later they traded with Hudson Bay trappers making their way to and from Fort Langley.
The 1858 Fraser River Gold Rush is what brought the value of Port Moody's locale to prominence. Ship access to this easternmost arm of the Burrard inlet made it a vital link to inland territories and within a year, Colonel Richard Moody arrived here with Royal Engineers with the intention of establishing a provincial capital city.
The port was eventually rejected in favour of more strategically based New Westminster, primarily for defense reasons against a potential American invasion from the south.
Railway Heritage
As the Gold Rush faded, Royal Engineer land grants and the coming of the transcontinental railway started to fuel Port Moody's growth. Everything to build the railway was shipped to its construction sites from here; consequently, the community had its own steel plant for rail ties, a slaughter house for food supplies, hotels and one of the earliest telephone systems in the country.
Western Railway Terminus
Port Moody was designated the railway's western terminus and even though Canadian Pacific then extended the line to Vancouver in 1887, Port Moody still remains – if only on paper, the official final terminus. The Station Museum provides an excellent insight to Port Moody's early history, and Golden Spike Days celebrates those heady days.
Port Industries
When the terminus went to Vancouver, logging became Port Moody's economic lifeblood through the early decades of the 1900s. Burrard Inlet teamed with a dozen or so mill operations, many employing the Chinese, Indian and Japanese who had formerly worked on the railway. Today, only the Flavell Mill near Rocky Point remains and from a kayak is an intriguing sight as the log booms are sorted, processed and shipped.
IOCO Refinery
In addition, Imperial Oil Company (now Esso) established an oil refinery in 1915 on Port Moody's north shore and with it, one of the province's first company towns. Named after the company's initials, IOCO once comprised 83 homes, a grocery store, school, a tennis court and other amenities. The company dismantled the township in the mid nineties, save for a church and there is currently much discussion as to how it should develop the prime parcel of real estate.
Port Moody Station Museum
Located next to Rocky Point Park and housed in a 1905 Canadian Pacific Railway Station, this small community museum displays all manner of historical artifacts from Hudson Bay trapping gear to railway paraphernalia. The waiting room and telegraph office represent the business side of the station; the kitchen and parlour are as the Station Master once lived.
Restored Sleeper Car
Walking through the restored 1921 sleeper car is a treat, as are the surrounding heritage garden which in summer, blooms with flowers typical of CPR stations at the turn of the 20th century. The museum stages many programs throughout the year and provides an excellent context to understanding Port Moody growth and development.
Read Less