New Westminster in the 1800s

"The city of New Westminster was founded in 1858 by Col. Moody, of the Royal Engineers, who chose the site as the most advantageous for the capital of British Columbia."

New Westminster remained the capital of British Columbia until the colony was merged with colony of Vancouver Island in 1866, at which time Victoria became the capital of the newly amalgamated colony. Today, many people regard New Westminster as a suburb of Vancouver. The truth is Vancouver is the suburb because the City of New Westminster is almost three decades older than the City of Vancouver.

This is a collection of historic photographs and maps of New Westminster, BC from the 1860s to 1890s. The narration is a transcription of the text that appeared in an 1889 pamphlet (with map) about the City of New Westminster and its District.

Sources:
Map and Information concerning the City and District of New Westminster and Province of British Columbia, 1889. Pamphlet. CVA AM1594-: MAP 1158-: LEG1153.122