HISTORY OF COQUITLAM

HISTORY-Coquitlam

The first inhabitants of the region was Coast Salish. Although Simon Fraser passed through the region in 1808, the European solution does not begin until the 1860s.

Coquitlam began as a "place-between-two since the area was opened with the construction of the road north to the middle of the 1800s. Although the purpose of the road was to provide Royal Engineers in New Westminster, access to year-round port facilities in Port Moody, the effect was to facilitate access to the vast area between and to the east.

The story of the early years is one of the settlements and agriculture. Growth was slow, and in 1891 the municipality of the District of Coquitlam was officially incorporated.

The young municipality got its first boost of the death of the 19 century when Frank Ross and James McLaren opened Fraser Mills, a state of $ 350,000, and as-of-the-art mill on the north side of Fraser River. In 1908, had a mill town of 20 houses, a shop, post office, hospital, an office block, barber shop and pool hall grown around the factory.

A year later, one of the most important events in Coquitlam's history took place. Factory owners in search of workers turned their attention to the culture of logging and experience in Quebec in 1909, a contingent of 110 French Canadians arrived hired to work at Fraser Mills. With the arrival of a second contingent in June 1910, was born Maillardville.

Maillardville, named for Father Maillard, a young Oblate from France, was more than a French Canadian enclave in Western Canada. It was a vibrant community of French-speaking West Central Manitoba's largest, and the seeds for future growth of Coquitlam.

While time has diluted the use of French in BC, is still heard in the streets and homes on the south slope of Coquitlam. Maillardville previously recognized in the street names that honor the pioneers in the local remodeling and reflects its French heritage in Canada.

Heritage in Coquitlam

Coquitlam heritage comes from its historical roots, the influence of First Nations people, and the first French settlers in Canada. Since then, the legacy Coquitlam continued to evolve, with new cultures and traditions.

Inheritance is an integral part of our cultural identity and the city of Coquitlam is dedicated to preserving it. Recently completed a city Coquitlam Heritage Strategic Plan to help the city toward its future heritage activities.

What is the legacy?

The term "legacy" is used to describe everything from the physical and social cultural elements. Generally, the physical aspects of heritage includes original artifacts, archives, historic buildings such as Place des Arts, historic landscapes and vegetation. The cultural and social elements of heredity are also varied, ranging from cultural heritage, social identity, community relations and traditions.

Why is heritage important?

The heritage is important for several reasons. For example, the assets of each community's character, and can help inspire a sense of identity and community pride in their community residents. It promotes a sense of continuity for the residents, to understand where we came from and how we got here today. Inheritance is also important economically, but can enhance property values and provide opportunities for business and tourism.

Registered Heritage in Coquitlam

The city of Coquitlam has identified six areas in the Municipal Heritage Register. These sites were approved by Council Resolution, and provided legal protection under the Local Government Act. Include

Mill Side Elementary School, 1432 Brunette Avenue
Place des Arts (Ryan House), 1120 Brunette Avenue
Coquitlam Family Center (Mackin House), 169 King Edward Street
Church Hall, 838 Laval Square
Notre Dame de Lourdes, 830 Laval Square
Priest's House, 828 Laval Square
Coquitlam What is done to preserve the cultural heritage of the city?

The city of Coquitlam, in cooperation with the Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC), initiated development of a Heritage Strategic Plan in September 2000.

The purpose of the Heritage Strategic Plan is to develop a strategy for a regulatory framework that will guide decision making on heritage resources in Coquitlam. British Columbia Heritage Trust defines a strategic plan that "... one of three to five years of the strategy to plan, develop, implement and evaluate a program of cultural heritage."

Heritage Strategic Plan Timeline

The planning process continued until June 2001 and included several opportunities for public participation
A draft action plan at 5 years was available in early March for comments and feedback from community members
A public open house was held at City Hall March 6, 2001
On 18 June 2001 city council approved the "Strategic Plan for Coquitlam Heritage" as a guide for future activities in the heritage city of Coquitlam
The Heritage Strategic Plan is based on research and previous findings, and identifies Coquitlam, where he currently is in relation to heritage resources. It gives a vision of what the Council and the citizens of Coquitlam want, and outlines an action plan in five years to achieve this vision.

Do you know an important heritage structure in Coquitlam?

This is your opportunity to participate in the documentation of cultural heritage in Coquitlam. The Heritage Advisory Committee invites you to nominate a heritage resource for inclusion in the Heritage List of Coquitlam.

The heritage inventory no registration or appointment of the buildings, but will provide valuable information on the history of Coquitlam.