1
Confederation with the rest of Canada in 1871 gave British Columbia the promise of a transcontinental railway. In late 1879, Parliament undertook this promise with a charter for the Western Terminus to be the first navigable tidal waters of Port Moody. By 1882 development was progressing at a frenzied pace.2
Vessel from Great Britian arrives at Port Moody with the first load of steel rail.circa 1882
Burrard Inlet, Port Moody
Credits:unknown
3
The San Francisco Bridge Company was commissioned in 1882 to build the Western Terminus (First) Station in Port Moody.4
Looking west at the 1882 Western Terminus Station with the HMS Triumph in the harbourcirca 1886
Port Moody, British Columbia
Credits:Glenbow Archive # na-4140-85
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Hotels and stores sprang up and did a bristling business with the speculators and railway workers.6
Looking east from the tracks at Douglas StreetCirca 1883
Port Moody, British Columbia
Credits:Provincial Archives Number 11786
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Port Moody looking NE from St Johns at about Douglascirca 1883
Port Moody, British Columbia
Credits:Provincial Archives A-4592
8
By 1884 a substantial town had developed: The first telephone system in British Columbia, the New Westminster-Port Moody Telephone Company was in operation, Clarke Road connected directly to North Road, The Port Moody School District had a one room school. Applications were made in 1884 and 1886 to incorporate as the City of Port Moody but were declined.9
Excitement reached new highs in 1885 with the driving of the Last Spike, November 7th at Craigellachie, and the arrival of the first train to Port Moody on November 8th. There is an iconic photograph of the driving of the Last Spike but no photographs exist of the November 8 First Train. In fact, it is generally forgotten as the First Train. Instead a celebration was held for the arrival of the First Scheduled Passenger Train to Port Moody, pulled by engine 371, on July 4, 1886. However, the celebration was short lived.10
Arrival of the First Scheduled Passenger Train, July 4,1886
11
There had been rumours that Port Moody would not be the Western Terminus early on, but it was in print in the United States in 1884 that Coal Harbour was to be the location.12
After numerous court cases, this came to pass on May 23rd, 1887 with engine 374 going through to Vancouver. Thus, Port Moody's third defining moment - the going of the CPR happened. Port Moody went into a local state of depression and didn't revive for 30 years. Land that had been so valuable in 1882 could hardly be given away.13
In 1888 the Elgin Hotel burnt down and the Winnipeg House (Delmonico) was taken apart and moved to New Westminster. Most of the town left.14
The Elgin Hotel, built by Captain Clarke, burnt down in 1888.circa 1884
Credits:unknown
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