Stevenston Highway is an approximately 9.5-kilometer urban surface highway located in the city of Richmond, British Columbia. The corridor leads to the neighborhood of Stevenston which is located on the Fraser River.
The area which comprises Steveston Harbour, and the mouth of the Fraser River was the hub of a Salmon Canning industry boom in 1871. A small village would begin to populate around the canning industry, and a town plot was granted to William Steeves in 1880. The community would formally become Steveston in 1889 and formed much of the baseline for the larger Richmond city street grid. Steveston historically was a hub of Japanese migration to Canada which was severely disrupted via World War II internments.
Richmond incorporated as a city in 1990 and annexed Steveston into the larger urban limits. Steveston stands out from much of Richmond given it generally has an older fishing village feel versus much of the modern suburban aesthetic found through much of the city.
Part 1; the history of Steveston
The area which comprises Steveston Harbour, and the mouth of the Fraser River was the hub of a Salmon Canning industry boom in 1871. A small village would begin to populate around the canning industry, and a town plot was granted to William Steeves in 1880. The community would formally become Steveston in 1889 and formed much of the baseline for the larger Richmond city street grid. Steveston historically was a hub of Japanese migration to Canada which was severely disrupted via World War II era internments.
Steveston can be seen on the 1910 map of Lower Fraser Valley. The community is shown to be connected to the rest of Metro Vancouver via the British Columbia Electric Railway. Service to from Vancouver to Lulu Island and Steveston began a year prior in 1909. Passenger service to Lulu Island terminated in 1958.
The 1956 Shell Highway map of British Columbia displays Steveston Highway aligned east from the community to Number 5 Road. At the time Number 5 Road permitted access to Vancouver via the Fraser Street Bridge and the ferry to Ladner. The Fraser Street Bridge existed from 1894-1974 and the Stevenston-Ladner Ferry would operate from 1913-1959. In 1959 Steveston Highway would be extended east to the then new Deas Island Tunnel. Said tunnel was renamed as the "George Massey Tunnel" in 1967 in honor of the namesake British Columbia Assembly Member.
Richmond incorporated as a city in 1990 and annexed Steveston into the larger urban limits. Steveston stands out from much of Richmond given it generally has an older fishing village feel versus much of the modern suburban aesthetic found through much of the city.
Part 2; a visit to Steveston via Steveston Highway
Modern Steveston Highway is accessible from British Columbia Highway 99 north of the George Massey Tunnel. The George Massey Tunnel was previously designated as British Columbia Highway 99B circa 1959-1962 and British Columbia Highway 499 circa 1962-1973. In 1973 the corridor was designated as the new mainline of British Columbia Highway 99.
Steveston Highway connects to the namesake community west of British Columbia Highway 99. Within Steveston the main east/west road is Moncton Street. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery building can be found at Moncton Street and 3rd Avenue. This canning facility was constructed in 1894 and was actively worked until 1979. The structure was purchased by the Canadian Government and granted to Parks Canada in 1984. The cannery would reopen to the public in 1994 following a restoration.
A Canfisco facility can be found on the disconnected western segment of Moncton Street behind the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.
Garry Point Park is located at the western terminus of Moncton Street. The park contains numerous ruins from the canning industry facilities along Steveston Harbour. Garry Point was purchased in 1981 and repurposed as a municipal park. The Japanese Kuno Garden was planted in the park in 1989.
Below are various Moncton Street scenes east of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery building.
The Steveston Museum can be found at the old Post Office building at 3811 Moncton Street. The Museum documents the history of the community and in particular the notable Japanese heritage.
The Steveston Interurban Tram Building is located at 4011 Moncton Street. The structure was erected at the site of the original British Columbia Electric Railway depot which had burned in 1928.
Comments