A Walk Through Time in Historic Townsite

Powell River's Historic Townsite is an exceptional example of a professionally planned, single-industry town dating from the early modern period in Canadian town planning. The oldest sector, began in 1910, focusing on the Powell River Company Mill, the first newsprint manufacturer in western Canada and the original residential core which marches up the hill in a compact gridiron pattern commonly used in early planned towns. The Neighbourhoods, which placed workers in the same occupation together, consist of groups of houses having a number of standardized designs. As the mill expanded, the original town plan was extended in the 1920s and additional housing of sympathetic design was constructed to the south along gentle crescents laid out on the heavily forested hillside.

Further residential development took place in suburbs located beyond the original town plot in the Communities of Westview, Cranberry Lake and Wildwood. As a result, Powell River's Townsite largely retains its early 20th century appearance. A pioneer in Canadian town planning, the community illustrates the emergence of Canada's unique identity in design and architecture.

In 1995, Powell River's Townsite was officially designated a National Historic District.

The Townsite Heritage Society offers Guided Walking Tours of Powell River's Historic Townsite Wednesday & Saturdays for July and August. Pamphlets for self-guided tours are available year round at the Townsite Heritage Society office, 5865 Ash Avenue or pick them up at the Powell River Visitor Centre.

While touring the Historic Townsite be sure to visit Catalyst Paper Company's floating breakwater. Visible from the Townsite viewpoint the 10 concrete ships, one dates back to WWI, embrace the coast line protecting the community from winter storms in the world's largest floating breakwater.

Another must see is the Patricia Theatre. Located at the corner of Marine Avenue and Ash Avenue, the Patricia is the oldest continuously operating movie theatre in Canada and has been entertaining Powell River Since 1913.

For more information on Powell River's Historic Townsite, visit the Townsite Heritage Society website at www.powellriverhistorictownsite.bc.ca or email townsite@prcn.org.