The Interurban began between Vancouver and Steveston
by Chuck Davis
In 1905, the CPR leased the Vancouver and Lulu Island Railway (incorporated in 1891, but not owned by the CPR until 1902) to the BC Electric Railway, which was running the city’s streetcars. The BCER put up trolley wire, built a new station at the north end of the Granville Street bridge, and on July 4 began an interurban service between this station and Steveston.
The July 5, 1905 Province has a terrific (and long) story, its writer unnamed, that describes the launch of the service and takes us for that first ride. It’s far too lengthy to reproduce here, but it’s a pleasure to read. It begins: "For a smooth-riding, picturesque and instructive trip, a run over the Lulu Island Railway in one of the new electric rolling palaces of the British Columbia Electric Railway Company is just about the whole voltage in the pleasure line at present."
Then it gets better. There’s a description of the car’s progress through fields of red and white clover "as soon as Eburne is passed," that must be read: "All the perfumes of Arabia," part of it reads, "would not rival the almost intoxicating odors that float through the open car windows as mile after mile of this rich clover is passed."
Do yourself a favor: the next time you have an hour or so free, go to the 5th floor of the Vancouver Public Library and ask a librarian there to set up the July 5, 1905 issue of the Province on the microfilm reader and read this story. It’s a treat.
Making the BCER’s new service unique: the cars used were built in the company’s own shops at the south end of 12th Street in New Westminster. Car 1207, for example, rolled out of the shop July 1, 1905, just four days before she began service. Named the "Steveston," she would be used until 1958. No. 1207 is busy again these days, its century-old bones clanking along the rails between Science World and Granville Island on summer weekends, a terrific way to spend some time in the past. She's staffed by volunteers, who happily answer questions from travelers, some of whom remember regular trips aboard these streetcars, and even more of whom weren’t born when this style of transportation was an everyday thing. (Her colors were different in 1905: she was originally a jade green with gold trim and black undercarriage, not the brilliant red seen today.)
Service was hourly in 1905, and a return ticket from Vancouver to Steveston would set you back 85 cents. That dropped to 30 cents on Sundays, and clergymen traveled at half fare.
For more interesting history on the Metro Vancouver area, pick up a copy of The History of Metropolitan Vancouver by Chuck Davis.
