North Vancouver

1860 – 1915

Slow beginnings.

As mentioned, sawmills and forestry-related industries were some of the earliest businesses set up by settlers to take advantage of North Vancouver’s extensive forest cover. Pioneer Mills opened near the end of Lynn Creek around June 1863, and in 1865 Sewell “Sue” Prescott Moody bought the mill. Soon after, a small but thriving town popped up called Moodyville.

In 1882, Arthur Pemberton Heywood-Lonsdale started to finance mortgages and investments in Moodyville, using money the family amassed through the slave trade. His son co-owned Lonsdale Estates with James Pemberton-Fell, and they offered the area up for development. Many streets and notable landmarks are still named after them or areas in the United Kingdom related to their family’s history.

Around this time, George Grant Mackay, with August Jack Khatsahlano’s help, built the first Capilano Suspension Bridge. It didn’t look like the current version yet, being made of rope and wood planks.

The District of North Vancouver was incorporated in 1891 (not including Moodyville), but development was slow to begin, and only 365 people lived in the area by 1901. A passenger ferry launched in 1900 across the Burrard Inlet, which started to increase interest in the area, and by 1904 a second ferry capable of carrying cars launched. Gradually, North Vancouver began to see more settlers arrive, and North Van became a resort destination for the affluent residents of the Lower Mainland.

In 1903, Alfred St. George Hamersley bought land to the west of Moodyville and started selling lots at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue. This area quickly became the heart of a thriving new community.

By 1907, business was booming in the core area of North Vancouver near the Burrard Inlet, thanks to easy access to both land and sea shipping routes. Streetcars ran down Lonsdale Avenue and eventually grew to three lines.

But this led to controversy, because businessmen and merchants in the area felt that their tax dollars were being used to subsidize residents and developments in the far-flug outer areas of the municipality’s borders. The issue came to a head and the City of North Vancouver seceded in 1907. Five years later, the western portion of the remaining District of North Vancouver felt little connection to the rest of the area as well and became the independent District of West Vancouver.

1916-1945

Boom and bust.

North Vancouver would become known for shipping and port-related industries throughout the 20th century, with the first deep-sea hulled vessels being built by Wallace Shipyards, created by Andy Wallace. This would go on to become the Burrard Dry dock in 1925 and then Versatile Pacific in 1985.

In 1925, the Second Narrows (Rail) Bridge opened, and brought with it more vehicle and railroad traffic. The bridge was marred with accidents, though, suffering from multiple ship collisions throughout the years.

As a result of this new infrastructure, North Vancouver became home to even more industry and people. By the end of the 1920s, things were looking pretty good. And in 1925, the City of North Vancouver annexed Moodyville. During this time, the Tomahawk restaurant opened in 1926, and it still stands today serving meals to North Vancouver.

But the Great Depression meant hard times for both the City and District of North Vancouver. By 1933, both were bankrupt and placed into receivership.

A small sliver of hope came in the form of the Lions Gate Bridge. There had been attempts to cross the First Narrows before, but the proposal by the Guinness family (yes, that Guinness, the beer people) to pay for a bridge to serve their lands on the North Shore was the one that stuck. Construction began on March 31st, 1937 and the bridge opened on November 14th, 1938. Named after the mountains, the bridge quickly became an icon of not only North Vancouver, but the City of Vancouver and West Vancouver as well. Originally built with two lanes, it now has three.

1946 – 1995

From industry to iconic homes and waterfront fun.

After the Second World War, North Vancouver (both City and District) became desirable destinations for folks looking to escape the busy City of Vancouver. Mountainside living beckoned, and that meant the creation of new neighbourhoods including Capilano Highlands, Norgate and Edgemont Village.

In 1956, the Capilano Suspension Bridge was totally rebuilt into its current configuration. Plus, this prosperity and increasing traffic meant another bridge was needed, this time across the Burrard Inlet. Construction began in 1957 on the new Second Narrows Bridge. Tragically, it partially collapsed in 1958, killing 19 people. In honour of the lives lost in its construction, today the bridge is known as the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing. With that, demand for ferry service declined and was eventually discontinued in 1958.

Gradually, North Vancouver’s economy started diversifying, and wealthier residents began to settle in the area. In 1961, the Upper Levels Highway was completed, and in 1967 the Capilano Mall opened. The Second Narrows (Rail) Bridge was rebuilt in 1968, too, as a lift bridge to allow river traffic to proceed underneath it.

While the fixed crossings of the Burrard Inlet added much-needed road and rail connections, traffic to and from North Vancouver eventually began to outstrip their capacity once again. In 1977, passenger ferries returned with the introduction of the SeaBus. This was the catalyst for more development, and Lonsdale Quay opened in 1985 at the SeaBus terminal, replacing the former North Van Ship Repairs site. Also at this time, Iranian immigration to North Vancouver increased, further adding to the area’s diversity.

This shift in the economy also meant changes for the city’s waterfront elsewhere. In 1992, Versatile Pacific closed, and the area was redeveloped into a mixed-use district.

1996 – Today

Luxury homes and condos by the water.

The new millennium brought an influx of condos to North Vancouver, and their striking views of the mountains and sea made them sought-after homes. Meanwhile, more single-family family homes were built on the hills around the City and District.

Today, both the City and District of North Vancouver are likely to become denser, thanks to provincial legislation changes. Plus, with much of the land in the area already built upon, the only option now is to build up, not out. And while its economy has diversified, shipping and port operations still define much of its waterfront.

Long-term visions include some sort of rapid transit serving the North Shore, whether that ends up being bus rapid transit or SkyTrain remains to be seen. But whatever happens, North Vancouver’s unique blend of mountain, seaside and city living is sure to keep attracting newcomers.