Travelog post for: Lemmy

Today I checked out the local community gardens.  Community gardens are a plot of land, where anyone may sign up to grow things on.









This centre also educates the public about things like composting.









Afterwards, we decided to go on a bit of a heritage walk.



We walked along part of the Trans-Canada Trail, a trail that stretches thousands of kilometres across the country.



I decided to climb an apple tree.





The sign reads:

In 1876 Thomas and Ann Haney came West to Maple Ridge from Ontario.  Thomas Haney had trained as a brick-maker, so he sought out land with clay suitable for brick-making.  In 1876-77 Thomas and Ann Haney purchased 160 acres of land for $1000.  Here the Haneys built their home and raised their family on land that stretched from the river to Dewdney Trunk Road and from 222nd to 225th Street.

Thomas Haney opened the first brickyard in Maple Ridge, running it for eleven years, after which he began a livery stable.  He became a municipal councillor and a land assessor in 1877.  Thomas Haney also drew up the first town plan and soon the townsite came to be known as 'Port Haney'.

The Haneys were a generous family, often helping newcomers to find land and settle in Maple Ridge.  Visiting priests were invites to hold mass in their home every Sunday.  The Haneys served breakfast to all those present.  In 1881, when the congregation grew too large, Thomas Haney built the first St Patrick's Catholic Church on his property, donating both land and money.  Descendants of the Haney family lived in the home until 1979.  It was donated to the municipality, along with the acre of land it stands on, as a heritage site for the enjoyment of future generations.









This is just outside the fence.  It reads:

Port Haney was one of many communities whose life depended on the river.  Take a walk to the Fraser River and the wharf.  Just follow the trail through the highway underpass and across the tracks to the Fraser's banks.  For many years the centre of the town was by the railroad tracks and the river.

Log Sorts, the Haney Brick and Tile Company, and other industrial activities took place on the banks of the Fraser and Pitt Rivers and Kanaka Creek.  Riverboats stopped at the wharf unloading passengers and freight.  Prior to construction of the Lougheed Highway, this was one of the main loading areas for livestock and raw materials, such as wood, to be taken into New Westminster and eventually, to Vancouver via the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway).



In order to get to the wharf, I had to walk through this tunnel...



And cross the train tracks







There was information here about the Japanese population before World War II:

Japanese settlement in Maple Ridge began by 1896.  These early settlers worked in labour positions and farmed.  By 1911 over 75 families and 300 people of Japanese descent were living in the District.  By the 1920s the Japanese community had built their own Buddhist temple, school, community hall and the Berry Growers Co-op.  They were involved in all aspects of the Maple Ridge community, including local politics, sports, festivals and fairs.

From Maple Ridge to Manitoba - During the early years of World War II the Japanese Community of Maple Ridge took part in community relief projects and fundraised for Victory Bonds to support Canadian soldiers overseas.

On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbour, bringing themselves and the US into WWII.

This action brought out divisions in the community, turning neighbours into enemies.  In January of 1942 Prime Minister Mackenzie King authorized the RCMP to register all Japanese people, including those born in Canada and Britain.  The local Japanese community was shocked.  Some received the news after spending an evening volunteering for the Canadian war effort.

The Japanese were soon ordered to leave for interment away from the BC Coast.  On April 24, 1942, the Maple Ridge Gazette reported that the last of 118 Japanese families had left the area, most heading to work the sugar beet farms of Manitoba.  All their property and many of their belongings had been sold with proceeds to Federal coffers.  In 1949 the District of Maple Ridge voted to disallow their return.



The view upriver



Abby would have taken a few more pictures, but we were sidetracked by an old, drunk Finnish man on the wharf who decided to tell us his story.

After our walk it was time for some gelato.