Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is one of the few historically intact canneries in British Columbia. This complex of buildings constructed between 1894 and 1964 commemorates the fishing industry that formed the backbone of Canada’s economy. And, the West Coast fishing industry holds the distinction of being the largest such industry in BC. Spread over 4,673 square metres, the buildings in the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site have wood frames and are made up of heavy timber. The complex houses the main cannery building, vitamin oil shed, icehouse, watchman’s house, drum storage shed, and lead foundry.

Tourists who visit the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site located in the fishing village of Stevenson will get to see an introductory film, interactive exhibits and guided tours of the building. If a fishing village doesn’t conjure up pictures of a beautiful place, you have to visit Stevenson to put things in the right perspective for you. Home to Canada’s largest fishing fleet, Stevenson is a quaint and picturesque village and has its share of shops and restaurants for you to explore after your trip to the cannery.

A trip to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is as educational as it is interesting. As you enter the site you are greeted by mountains of fishing gear and nets. There is a model of a 1930s production line that has been set up and murals of trawlers and fish on the walls are sure to catch your eye. It’s difficult to conceive that not long ago, at the turn of the century, there were 49 active canneries on the Fraser River, of which fifteen were in Steveston alone.

As you explore this place, whether on a guided tour or alone you will understand what went into the development of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry. You can gape at machines that produced millions of cans of salmon and take a walk down history lane to see fishermen and plant workers putting in long hours and toiling away at the “monster cannery.” The highlights of this place include

• “Journey Through Time” – an introductory film on the fishing industry
• A restored salmon canning line
• A look at the “Herring Reduction Plant” – a massive piece of machinery that was involved in herring processing
• The Ice House Discovery Area that provides great activities for kids
• Fishing the West Coast Exhibit  which takes you through the various fishing methods, and
• The Cannery Gift Store  from where you can pick up gifts with a fishing and maritime theme

If you have some time left over from your trip to the Georgia Cannery National Historic Site you could also take a look at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard located in Steveston. You can walk around this yet another heritage site and take in the net lofts, canneries, residences, boatyards, and stores in this neighborhood. It’s not every day that you get to walk through a historic place and get a faint whiff from the days of the past.