Canada Travel: New Westminster

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New Westminster

New Westminster is an important seaport, located on the Fraser River, about 12 miles southeast of Vancouver. Formerly the capital of the Mainland of British Columbia, it relinquished the position after the coalition in 1866, when Victoria became the capital of the entire Province. Its growth has been slow but steady since 1886, when Vancouver became the terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway. At present, it is chiefly a manufacturing and a trading centre, with a population of 58,549. The processing of lumber and fish products are the main manufacturing enterprises.

The city has been built on the north bank of the Fraser River. The commercial core is on the first terrace about 50 feet above the river. Residential sections penetrate northward to over 200 feet. New Westminster has extended along the Kingsway and Grandview highways, leading to Vancouver, until the two cities are virtually one.

Other Towns Of The Lower Fraser Valley

There are numerous small trading centres, scattered throughout the Lower Fraser Valley.

Chilliwack is the largest town. It is located on the Canadian National Railway, 60 miles east of Vancouver. It is the chief centre for the Sumas Prairie district and for the extreme east of the valley. Mission has an intermediate location, about 40 miles east of Vancouver.

Port Coquitlam, Abbotsford, Langley Praire and Ladner are less important local centres. Steveston, on the southwest corner of Lulu Island, is a fishing village and the site of a small naval establishment.

Powell River

Powell River is an important paper mill town, located on the east shore of the Strait of Georgia, 85 miles northwest of Vancouver. It is built on a hillside between Powell Lake and the Strait, from which the main street ascends abruptly. Powell Lake is situated 200 feet above sea level and supplies fresh water to the mill. Its outlet has been dammed for the generation of hydro-electric power. The urban area, comprising the company town and three residential suburbs, Westview, Cranberry Lake and Wildwood. No highway or railway connects the town with Vancouver and communication is by sea and air only.