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History
For thousands of years, the Indigenous Skwxwu7mesh and their kin Tsleil-Waututh, of the Coast Salish, resided in the land known as North Vancouver. Slightly over 200 years ago, the people of the Skwxwu7mesh and Tsleil-Waututh living on the North Shore had their first glimpse of Europeans. First the Spanish arrived, giving their name to Vancouver's Spanish Banks and, in 1792, Captain George Vancouver explored the local shores. But it was not until 1862 that the first attempt was made to harvest the North Shore's rich stands of timber, leading to fuller settlement of the area that would later become North Vancouver.
The first industry on the North Shore was Pioneer Mills, founded in 1862 to log the huge trees of the coastal rainforest. After twice changing hands, the operation was bought by Sewell ("Sue") Prescott Moody in 1865. Near where the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool grain elevators now stand, the town of Moodyville grew up and stood as the main centre of activity on the North Shore until the mill closed in 1901. The first school was established in Moodyville. The second, Central School, opened in 1902 in a building that still stands as part of what is now Presentation House at 3rd Street and Chesterfield Avenue, the current home of the North Vancouver Museum and Archives.
In 1891, the first municipality on the North Shore was formed as the District of North Vancouver. It stretched across the North Shore from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove, but omitted Moodyville. In the early years of this century, a real estate boom took place, with speculators - including the British poet Rudyard Kipling - eager to turn a quick dollar. A new community began to take shape. In 1902, the Hotel North Vancouver was built; in 1905, the first bank, a branch of the Bank of North America, opened. A newspaper, the Express, commenced publication in 1905 and in 1906 the British Columbia Electric Railway began streetcar service.
Industry, particularly shipbuilding, became central, with the magnificent stands of trees a rich resource for a society in which ships, houses, and most other manmade things were constructed mainly of wood. The Wallace Shipyards moved in 1906 to the area just east of Lonsdale Avenue, drawn by the arrival of electricity. Over the years, this company, later known as Burrard Dry Dock and then Versatile Pacific Shipyards, became a major force in the local economy. Many of the shipyard's buildings still stand, although the company has now ceased operations.
Economic prosperity and rapid growth in the Lower Lonsdale area of North Vancouver led to the establishment in 1907 of the separate City of North Vancouver, with a population of approximately 1,500. West Vancouver separated from the District in 1912. Apart from the addition of Moodyville in 1915, the boundaries of the City have not changed, even though far more people now call the District home.
Communications with Vancouver have always been an important factor in the development of the North Shore. The first ferry service was supplied by "Navy Jack's" rowboat in 1866. In 1867, the Sea Foam established regular ferry service that continued until 1958. The SeaBus re-established water transportation in 1977. Rail service was slower in developing. While the Pacific Great Eastern Railway inaugurated a 12.7 mile run from North Vancouver to Whytecliff in 1914, it was not until the completion of the first Second Narrows Bridge in 1925 that rail and road links with the Lower Mainland supplemented the local ferry service.
Early plans for North Vancouver were ambitious. The City, a communications hub and industrial centre, was surrounded by the more rural District. Both municipalities were located in a magnificent geographical setting that appeared to open endless possibilities. But early grandiose plans met with a number of setbacks. The real estate boom was overtaken by a worldwide depression in 1913, and then World War I delayed many projects. The depression that began in 1929, coupled with disruptions to communications over the Second Narrows caused by ships colliding with the bridge, led to economic difficulties and severe tax shortfalls. Both the City and the District were placed in receivership in 1933. But the opening of the second road crossing, the Lions' Gate Bridge in 1938, was a significant factor in making the North Shore more accessible. And the war years led to an economic revival of North Vancouver, especially because of the many ships built in the Burrard Drydock at the foot of Lonsdale for the Canadian war effort.
In the postwar years, the City and the District of North Vancouver boomed, with most of the growth taking place in the District because of its greater land resources.
Location
There are two municipalities in the Greater Vancouver region of British Columbia that use the name North Vancouver. These are: the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver.
The District of North Vancouver is by far the larger of the two. Bounded by the Capilano River to the west, Indian Arm to the east, Burrard Inlet to the south, and the North Shore Mountains to the north, it sprawls in an east-west direction across the mountain slopes, characterized by rugged terrain, frequent rain, and steep and winding roadways. The District is primarily made up of single-family residential housing, with an industrial base along the shoreline of Burrard Inlet. It has more than twice the population of the City, but with a much lower population density. There is no clearly defined "downtown"; instead, a series of commercial areas such as Edgemont Village and Lynn Valley serve as local community hubs.
The City of North Vancouver, on the other hand, has a much more urban feel. Surrounded to the west, north, and east by the District, the City is home to the majority of the North Shore's high rise buildings, rental properties, and commercial operations. As with the District, there are industrial sites along the shore of Burrard Inlet, although in recent years several of these have begun to convert to residential and commercial areas. The City also has the Lonsdale Quay public market and the northern terminal for Vancouver's Seabus transit ferry. Regional planners have identified the City, and specifically its Central Lonsdale and Lower Lonsdale neighbourhoods, as the "downtown" of the North Shore.
Places to See
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
There's a lot that can be said about Greater Vancouver's number one attraction (and the oldest - it dates back to 1889), like the number of visitors from around the globe who can't resist the thrill of crossing the 137 metre (450 feet) swaying bridge that's suspended 70 metres (230 feet) above Capilano River. Not to be missed is the exhilarating Treetops Adventure, where you'll wander through the forest canopy along seven suspension bridges 30 metres (100 feet) above the ground. There's more authentic B.C. enchantment to be found in guided nature tours, explorer programs for kids, First Nations carvings demos, a totem pole park, a snappy gift shop, and three great restaurants ready to fuel your day.
- Grouse Grind
There's not a better view of Vancouver's North Shore and the city of Vancouver than what you'll see from the Grouse Mountain Skyride, an aerial tram that ferries visitors up the mountain 365 days a year. As well as great skiing, there's much more in store, from sleigh rides, snowshoeing, ice-skating, eco-hikes, lumberjack shows, a wildlife refuge, helicopter tours, paragliding, a wildlife refuge, flying demos with eagles, falcons and hawks, the Theatre in the Sky cinema, the First Nations hiwus feasthouse, three impressive dining options, and "Mother Nature's Stairmaster", the Grouse Grind trail run.
- Capilano Salmon Hatchery
Don't miss this remarkable fish hatchery, complete with interpretive centre and self-guided tours. Depending on the season, you may see juvenile salmon and trout in the display aquaria, or mature returning salmon in the fish ladder. Coho salmon return over a long period between June and December. Learn about and see fish develop from eggs to the juvenile stage, which is when they are released to the river in spring. It's a colourful, fascinating process.
- Lonsdale Quay Market & Shops
Be prepared to spend several hours (or more) exploring this colourful, multilevel waterside market that houses 90 shops, including plenty of fresh food outlets, such as: a west coast fishmonger, a British Columbia wine shop, a European deli, and nearly 20 international outlets in the food court to tempt appetites. On the next floor is an exciting collection of retail shops stocked with unique fashion accessories, children's clothing, and more. Above the market shops is the ideally situated Lonsdale Quay Hotel and adjacent North Shore hot spot, the Tantra Waterfront Lounge & Grill.
- Maplewood Farm
A must-do for kids of all ages. This hands-on farm is the oldest remaining farm on the North Shore and has goats, rabbits, cows, sheep, chickens, ducks, donkeys for petting, and ponies for riding, adding up to over 200 animals and birds. Make a day of it and enjoy lunch in the Picnic Shelter.
- Park and Tilford Gardens
There's something to see year-round at this beautiful three-acre garden. It's divided into eight specialty gardens, like the Oriental Garden, the Rock Pool, the Display Garden, and more. The Christmas light display is a must-see.
- Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve
This is one of the North Shore's best-loved recreational areas, drawing enthusiasts from around the region, and plenty of visitors too. The paved 10 km Seymour Valley Trailway is a beacon for hikers, strollers, in-line skaters, and road cyclists, while off-road trails appeal to the area's extreme-style mountain bikers. Try fishing in Rice Lake, or kayaking and canoeing on the Seymour River.
- North Vancouver Museum & Archives
Established in 1972 as an agency of the City of North Vancouver, the North Vancouver Museum & Archives develops museum and archive services. Their exhibits feature such important area industries as logging and shipbuilding, and they have various special exhibits and events throughout the year. Educational events and services are also provided.
Things to Do
- Cycling
The City of North Vancouver supports cycling as a healthy, efficient, and non-polluting transportation option for both commuter and recreational cyclists. In keeping with the vision outlined in the Official Community Plan, the City is working to improve the bicycle route network and provide facilities to encourage cycling.
- Walking Tour
Take a Heritage Walking Tour of the historic Lower Lonsdale area of the now thriving city of North Vancouver, which began along the waterfront, radiating out from the ferry terminus at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue. Between 1900 and 1912, Lower Lonsdale developed into a thriving commercial area, offering a full range of goods and services. In 1977 the Sea Bus opened, returning passenger service to Lower Lonsdale, and rejuvenating interest in the area. The Lonsdale Quay Market and other major developments soon followed.
- Skiing / Snowboarding
Whether you choose to be airborne on a snowboard, or to keep both feet firmly on the ground in snowshoes or cross-country skis, you'll find the right mountain at one of the 3 ski facilities on Vancouver's North Shore: Mount Seymour, Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain.
- Hiking
If you enjoy hiking to viewpoints, there is a wealth of moderate hiking trails in Mount Seymour Provincial Park, near Deep Cove in North Vancouver. Use extreme caution when exploring its open summit, especially in the region around Mount Bishop, which, at 1508 metres (4,947 feet), is the tallest peak in the park. Weather conditions change quickly during storm season, and the route between peaks can become obscured.
- Canoeing / Kayaking
Deep Cove is one of two jumping-off points for exploring Indian Arm by canoe or kayak, a steep-sided, 30-kilometre fjord that branches north from Burrard Inlet just east of the Second Narrows Bridge. You can explore the south end of Indian Arm, including the islands that comprise Indian Arm Provincial Marine Park, in the course of a day, or set out on an extended two- to four-day circumnavigation of the coastal inlet.
Events
- Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Vancouver's renowned jazz festival features dozens of artists playing different styles across venues all over the lower mainland. Takes place during the last week of June.
- Folkfest
Come see a variety of musical and dance performances at the Lonsdale Quay Plaza.
- Canada Day Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show
The Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show is a unique multi-community event drawing hundreds of thousands of people and numerous communities together to celebrate Canada. This unique two barge simultaneous pyrotechnic extravaganza will be visible from numerous locations in Downtown Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver and Vancouver's West Side.
Contact Information
Year Round Visitor Centre
North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
102 - 124 West 1st Street
North Vancouver, BC V7M 3N3
Telephone: 604-987-4488
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Website: www.vancouversnorthshore.com
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