The most important step in the development of British Columbia after joining Confederation in 1871 was the construction of Canadian Pacific Railway. The transcontinental railway linked the new province to the trade and economy of the rest of the country. Construction of the railway was the main promise that brought British Columbia into Confederation.

CPR construction crew,
laying track,
lower Fraser Valley, 1881
A-07021
However it was not until 1880 that construction of transcontinental railway was begun by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).

Though the goal was to complete the line by 1891, the final spike on construction was driven in 1885 with the first train from Montreal arriving in Vancouver July of 1886.

Building the first railway across the country was the largest project undertaken by the new country of Canada. Construction moved westward from Ontario and eastward from the Pacific Coast.

CPR construction contractor
Andrew Onderdonk's
logging train,1882
I-30860
The toughest construction was in the mountains and canyons of British Columbia. Andrew Onderdonk was the main contractor for construction and he accomplished the work by hiring over 15,000 workers from China due to the shortage of labour in the province.

The CPR engine the Yale,
hauling rail ties during
railway construction
A-00856
As construction proceeded local businesses and workers profited from supplying timber for railway ties and bridges, lumber for buildings, food and other necessities for workers, including saloons.

Businesses and industries of all kinds flourished during railway construction. Many of them died when construction ended but some survived and prospered.


Continued...





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