History

What began as an exchange of gifts, an overture of friendship between two distinct groups of people, became the founding principles on which the City of North Vancouver was built.

Auspicious Beginnings
In 1792, Captain George Vancouver and his ships entered Burrard Inlet and were greeted by the First Nations who were settled on the North Shore. The Captain and his crew were bestowed with gifts of fish and in return, the First Nations people received iron.

The first industry in North Vancouver was a lumber mill around which the company and town of Moodyville grew. Led by Sewell Prescott Moody, the first entrepreneur to export BC lumber on a successful and continuing basis to both the US and overseas, Moodyville became one of the most advanced communities along the Burrard Inlet. Moody's accomplishments nurtured this growing industry and helped to establish the harbour of Burrard Inlet as Canada's principal port on the Pacific coast.

Amid rapid development and burgeoning prosperity, the City of North Vancouver was incorporated in 1907. During this time, the municipality's role as the transportation centre of the North Shore expanded. People travelled up and down Lonsdale Avenue using electric streetcars. Ferry service provided access between the North Shore and the Vancouver mainland. Shipbuilding became a major industry with the First World War. In 1906, Wallace Shipyards was established at the foot of Lonsdale, an important focal point for the City that continues to this day.

Protecting our natural environment is like investing in our future. If we do not take the time to develop a solid plan and monitor its progress, we could easily lose this vital natural asset. Learn how you can help the City invest in a green, sustainable future. more

Building Toward a Sustainable Future
In 2007, the City celebrated its centenary. The historic milestone provided opportunities to reflect on 100 years of progress and achievement. It was also a chance to commemorate the people and events that helped to shape the City into what it is today: a thriving community rich in cultural diversity with a robust economy and a commitment to building a sustainable future.

For more information about the City's history, visit the following webpages and use the various interactive features to revisit the City's past:

City History

City Centennial Timeline

City Pioneers

Traces of the Past

How We Lived

How We Worked

How We Moved

Centennial Highlights

Centennial Projects

Centennial Photo Gallery

North Vancouver Museum & Archives

City Future

The Pier

Waterfront Project

National Maritime Centre

Library/Civic Centre Development

Lonsdale Energy Corporation