Chronology

Not too much information is available about the early years of the settlement of Vancouver…

July 20, 1885 An act to restrict and regulate Chinese immigration into Canada received Royal Assent. Among other restrictions it imposed a Head Tax of $50, and was the first of many enactments to discriminate against Vancouver’s large Chinese population. The result (intended): many men who pioneered in the gold fields of B.C. or worked to build the CPR could not now bring over their families from China to join them.

February 15 A North Shore realtor named J.C. Keith got financing to build a road from Howe Sound to Indian Arm on the north shore. Work began but a depression halted it and the road, especially in its less-travelled stretches, began to deteriorate. That’s why Keith Road runs in bits and pieces.

May 12, 1900 The ferry to North Vancouver began operation as the first ferry with a regular service between North Vancouver and the south shore of Burrard Inlet. It was later renamed North Vancouver No. 1. After many adventures the boat will later become a private residence, beached on a small island near Tofino.

May 1 The telephone came to North Vancouver, and that made a difference to the ferry system: until the ferry terminal hooked up to the telephone line the wharfinger used a system of calls with a bugle to let consignees know when their goods arrive. Two toots for McMillan’s, three for Larson’s Hotel, a long and two shorts for the Express (newspaper) and two long toots for the butcher.