| The following Historical Insight articles were written by Al Sholund, a Port Moody resident and Freedom of the City honouree. All articles were originally published in the Focus newsletter. |
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The Railway Station that Rode the Rail
Shortly after Port Moody was declared to be the western terminus of the Transcontinental Railway in 1879, work started on the Port Moody waterfront. A deep water dock, sufficient to handle sailing ships with railway supplies (and later steamship service to Victoria), was built on a site near the present marina on the Barnet Highway. Freight storage sheds were built for water and rail cargos and Port Moody’s first railway station was built in 1882.
Air horns sirens and steam whistles
Every day in Port Moody one can hear an air horn, siren or a steam whistle. It can be from a large truck reversing, a cargo ship entering or leaving its berth, a CP Rail operation, West Coast Express, a fire engine or an ambulance.
The First Spike
The first spike honour goes to Bonfield, Ontario where the 125th anniversary will be celebrated in June, as recognized by the Railway Hall of Fame. Bonfield is between North Bay and Mattawa on Trans Canada Highway 17. Bonfield had been the Western terminus of the Canada Central Railway with connections to Ottawa and Toronto.
Port Moody Royalty May Queens
In the early days of Port Moody, May 24 – Victoria Day – later simply May Day – was a day to celebrate Queen Victoria who was our monarch for sixty years.
Expo 86 Revisited
Over 20 million people attended the World Exposition May 2 – October 13, 1986. It was held on 173 acres of Vancouver’s False Creek waterfront.
The Original Rec Centre (Part 1)
When Port Moody was incorporated in 1913, a beautiful city hall and a recreation hall were built. This was a tremendous accomplishment for a very small town.
The Original Rec Centre (Part 2)
The 1913 recreation hall on Kyle Street was, in fact, a complete Community Centre.
Did You Know? - Part 1
Bits and pieces from Port Moody's history. Information about logging in Port Moody and the McNair's shingle company.
Did You Know? - Part 2
That on June 13, 1792 when Captain Vancouver was on his assignment to map the Eastern end of Burrard Inlet (later named Moody Arm) he had anchored his ship, the Discovery, at Birch Bay...
Flushback - the First Water Closet in Port Moody
Humorous story about Port Moody's first "water closet," otherwise known as the flush toilet. Perry Roe, inaugural city mayor, had one installed at his house at St. John and Elgin streets.
From the archives: 25 years ago
Reprinted article from the September 1977 edition of the City of Port Moody Newsletter.
Ioco Victoria Days
Historical Victoria Day celebrations at an unusual site – the Ioco oil refinery. Prior to the development of recreation facilities at the local elementary school, the refinery and its storage tanks, pipes, and processing buildings served as a backdrop for the activities.
Migrating Oak Trees Survive a Century of Care
Captain Clarke, because of his East Coast roots, was very fond of oak trees which are not native to B.C. When he moved his family here he planted acorns from his native province. A survivor may be observed on John Street (now known as St. Johns Street) across from the Starbucks Coffee at Queens Street.
Port Moody Hotels
The last of the old time hotels was the Tourist Hotel built on the corner of Clarke and Queens in 1908. (Photo shows the Tourist in the foreground and the Strand at the far left); Wm. Walmsey operated the hotel for 37 years. The first Port Moody Council had their photo taken on the hotel veranda in 1913. The beer parlour was divided into a men's room and a ladies and escorts' room by law.
Port Moody Street Names
In 1882, John Murray Sr. and Captain J.A. Clarke requested a subdivision survey of their two District Lots (a total of 300 acres) in Port Moody. John Murray Jr. had participated in the survey and was asked to name the streets.
Teepee burners, pea soup and salt!
Did you know that in the early days, Port Moody was known as the Birthplace of the Fog? During the fall and winter, there were absolute zero visibility pea soupers that would put old London's reputation for dense fog to shame.
The Ioco Townsite Story
Early history of Port Moody's Ioco Townsite, developed by Imperial Oil in the early part of the 20th century. The isolated refinery site evolved from a "shack town" to a developed community, including cottages, grocery store, community hall, recreation areas, and churches.
The Mystery of the Train Bell
On display at the Port Moody Station Museum is a train bell. It was received from long-time resident Ernie Morgan, a retiree of Flavelle Cedar. Ernie found the bell in 1962 when a ten foot deep ditch was being dug for the main sewer line on Esplanade St. in front of Flavelle Cedar near the CPR line. The mystery bell was found at least six feet below the surface. Upon detailed examination, no identifying marks could be found on the bell.
The Police Chief Who Walked the Beat
Thomas Mackie patrolled the streets of Port Moody as police chief from 1919 to 1939. His character and deportment made him well liked and respected by all.
Tidal Pool Dipping in the 1950’s
Any youngster in the "olden days" (1910-1930) who liked to swim was very fortunate to call Port Moody home.
Oil Tankers in Burrard Inlet
In Burrard Inlet the golden days for oil tanker spotting (similar to train spotting) ended in 1995 with the last sailing of the Imperial Skeena from the Ioco Refinery.
Port Moody's Horseless Carriages
In 1920, Mrs. Lapworth, mother to one of our early aldermen, Ray Lapworth, owned a horse and buggy which she drove around Port Moody and New Westminster to visit friends and shop.
The Year of the Veteran
An Unlikely Wildlife Sanctuary
An Unlikely Wildlife Sanctuary.
Another area that was magical was the Ioco Refinery where I became employed. Because of its location near the mountains and because it was partly fenced, it was a wildlife sanctuary. There were red fox, coyotes, raccoons, bears and deer.
The deer roamed all over the refinery site without regard to any pipelines. When twin fawns were born on the site, both lived, whereas in the wild only one usually survives. I have counted as many as fourteen deer (two groups of seven) having an after lunch snooze near one of the storage tanks on the hillside north of the main office.
Typhoon Freda
In October 1962, a storm developed 500 miles off Wake Island in the north Pacific Ocean. The winds in this tropical depression veered east, reaching Victoria on October 12 with sustained wind speeds of 90 km/h and gusts reaching 145 km/h. and hit Port Moody at about 4 p.m. Typhoon Freda claimed seven lives in the Lower Mainland and caused damage worth a staggering $500 million in 2003 dollars.
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