Recently we have been looking back 125 years to 1891. Much of what we have found really shows that there was a lot happening during the late 1800s in New Westminster.
Transportation was a major theme at that time. Connections were created throughout the Lower Mainland, the Fraser River was crossed and even more connections were extended through Surrey and into the United States.
A streetcar system was rapidly becoming a reality, and the newspaper eagerly reported that the contract to clear the right of way from New Westminster to Vancouver had been let and 400 men would begin work immediately.
There was much interest in the fact that there was a good chance that there would be regular tram service by summer. As it worked out, the first phase of the line was ready in the summer, and the full connection was completed in the fall.
There was extended service crossing the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey with the new and much better ferry, the Surrey, which replaced the original boat, the K de K. A short item in the paper pointed out that there was firm evidence that property values were going up and real estate firms were busy because of this improved access to the Surrey area.
A major impetus for the increase in access to the south was the rail connection recently recognized with a “last spike” ceremony in Surrey. Newspaper stories about the rail connections were filled with the names New Westminster Southern Railroad and the Great Northern. There were plans and hopes for regular rail links in the U.S. with Blaine, Fairhaven and Ferndale.
The areas were opening up, business and industry were watching the evolution, and there was even a new town site being planned – Liverpool. While it would be a number of years until a rail bridge would be built, just having a link close by was exciting.
Just as we watch real estate today with its rapidly growing prices, so too were residents and investors in 1891 paying close attention to property, access and the things that were changing day by day. There were many property sales of note. One offered a large area and promoted the added incentive that “the tram will run through it.” This was land that had been owned by the Latham family. The land pieces were being sold for $250 each, with terms of $50 cash with the rest over two, six, nine or 12 months.
This was a busy, changing town in 1891.
