At one time it was the largest pocket of Canadian Francophones west of Manitoba and today, Maillardville is historic cultural community in Coquitlam.
In 1891 the District of Coquitlam was incorporated and toward the end of the century, Frank Ross and James McLaren opened Fraser Mills, a $350,000 state-of-the-art lumber mill on the north bank of the Fraser River.
“By 1908, a mill town of 20 houses, a store, post office, hospital, office block, barber shop and pool hall had grown around the mill. A year later one of the most significant events in Coquitlam’s history took place. Mill owners, in search of workers, turned their attention to the experienced logging culture of Quebec and in 1909 a contingent of 110 French Canadians arrived, recruited for work at Fraser Mills. With the arrival of a second contingent in June 1910, Maillardville was born. Maillardville, named for Father Maillard, a young Oblate from France, was more than just a French-Canadian enclave in Western Canada.” [source]
Maillardville hosts annual events such as the Festival du Bois, a community garage sale, Christmas party, nighbourhood walks, and a barbecue. It is also home to historic churches, shops (including the box stores on the flats such as Ikea), theatre productions, a children’s festival, Mackin Park and the Mackin House Museum.
While the French language and culture has faded away over the years, you can still see evidence of its impact in the street names, architecture, and the continuing Société francophone de Maillardville.
You can check out local event listings or upcoming activities on the Place des Arts website, or follow Place des Arts on Facebook and Twitter.
The Rainforest Theatre in Maillardville presents the Haunted House Dungeon of Doom this Friday, October 29th.
The Dungeon opens every 15 minutes from 6:30pm until 8:30pm at Place Maillardville, 1200 Cartier (at Laval) in Coquitlam [Google Map]. Admission is by donation.
Throughout the year the Rainforest Theatre also operates theatre workshops and a festival for kids. They have also done live productions at Trout Lake and produced all-ages concerts.
Read about more Haunted Houses in Metro Vancouver: Barclay Manor, Scare Affair, To Hell and Back, Dungeon of Doom.
The following was contributed by guest author Jennifer Miles for Miss604.com
Last night we had the privilege to watch the Canucks game from the Metropolis at Metrotown suite at Rogers Arena. Upon arriving at the suite we were greeted by our host, Mary. It’s been years since I’ve been to a home game and was really excited to see how great our view from the suite was.
After getting a cold beverage and a plate of munchies that were provided in the suite we took our seats to take in the start of the game. Luckily the game itself was a pretty exciting one and from our vantage point we were really able to view the game and plays with a bird’s eye view.
Midway through the game some hot food arrived and we munched on yummy sliders, breaded prawns and wings while we took in the second period. We were explained that Metropolis would be offering up the same experience to contest winners through out the season.
Keep up to date on chances to win tickets to the suite by following Metropolis at Metrotown on Twitter, following the tag #MetropolisHotSeats on Twitter, viewing fan photos on Facebook, or checking for updates the website.
I was recently approached by a team project management students from SFU about their initiative, The Good Drive, and have since signed on as an event sponsor.
The Good Drive is a one-day event to collect household goods donated by individuals and families from across the Lower Mainland. These goods will then go directly to local charitable organization Gather and Give. They support low income families and those living below the poverty line.
When
Sunday, November 7th, 2010 from 10:00am until 4:00pm
Where
Parking lot at Gilmore Ave and Hastings Street
Get Involved
Basics such as a pots and pans, hand towels, kettles, blenders, mugs, shower curtains, toques, socks, and bus tickets can go a long way.
This may be the perfect opportunity to get rid of that mixer you received as a wedding gift (and have never used) and reduce the clutter in your home. Someone could benefit from having your cookbooks as well if you’ve gone digital with your culinary creation references.
You can view a full list of acceptable donation items (compiled by Gather and Give) on The Good Drive website.
You may follow The Good Drive on Facebook or Twitter for event information and updates.
Today’s collection of archives photos come from museums and archives around Metro Vancouver. One theme throughout the various communities in our region is that they have bridges; crossing the inlet or an arm of the Fraser.
Date: 1904
Description: Opening day celebrations on the first Fraser River Bridge (now the Fraser Railway Bridge).
New Westminster Heritage Accession Number: 117
Photo source: New Westminster Museum
Date: 1920
Description: Second Narrows Bridge (before the next Second Narrows which became the Ironworkers Memorial)
Vancouver Archives Item Number: CVA 99-1335
Photo source: Stuart Thomson
Date: 1923
Description: Construction progress photograph looking north across False Creek showing a dredge on the east side of the Connaught Bridge (site of the current Cambie Bridge).
Vancouver Archives Item Number: CVA 371-278
Photo source: WJ Moore
Date: 1937
Description: William M. Mott, owner of Mott Electric Co. posing with cable on the deck of the Pattullo Bridge prior to its opening.
New Westminster Heritage Accession Number: 3109
Photo source: Stride Studios
Date: 1965
Description: The Port Mann Bridge upon completion.
Surrey Archives Number: 203.23
Should you have a theme you would like me to cover for either the Then and Now, Archives Photo of the Day, or general history segments, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment with a suggestion.
