Introduction
The goal of this project has been to identify the most significant
heritage resources within the boundaries of the District of Maple
Ridge. This project adds to the scope of several previous inventories
that date back over almost twenty years, expanding on their scope,
and adding newly identified resources. The inventory methodology
involved a number of sequential steps.
Identification of Potential Sites
There were several available inventory lists, including field
work undertaken in the 1970s for the Canadian Inventory of
Historic Buildings, the Port Haney Heritage Inventory,
1986, and the Maple Ridge Inventory List, 1991. All
previously identified sites were consolidated, and any other
resources that were identified through research or suggested
by the Heritage Advisory Committee were added to this list.
A public nomination was undertaken, whereby the
community at large was invited to submit addresses and
information for consideration. This process resulted in
several hundred sites being listed.
Broadly-Based Historical Research
Existing historical information was surveyed for relevant
data regarding settlement patterns and background on specific
persons and buildings. The publication "Maple Ridge: A
History of Settlement" was the most useful source. Other
pertinent research sources were also identified at this point.
The general history of the area was traced, and major
transportation routes identified.
Field Survey
All of the identified sites were surveyed; to ensure that
significant resources had not been missed, early transportation
routes in all the areas were examined. Many of the previously-
identified resources were found to be altered or demolished.
Those resources chosen for further study were photographed,
and an inventory form was filled out that gave a physical,
structural and contextual description, and a visual survey of
condition and integrity.
Focussed Research
The resources identified in the field survey were then more
fully researched, to identify their historical importance to the
community. Municipal and archival records were examined,
that allowed for consistent and accurate identification. The
most useful records were those held in the collection of the
Maple Ridge Museum, and the archival records held by the
District of Maple Ridge, especially the Tax Assessment
Rolls, which date back to 1875. Other research sources that
were consulted included relevant B.C. Directories from
1882, the previous research conducted for the Canadian
Inventory of Historic Buildings, historic photographs and
maps located in the Provincial Archives of B.C., the Vancouver
Public Library Historical Photographs Division, and the
City of Vancouver Archives. All of the information from
these listed sources was then combined to provide the
historic background for each listed building.
Much additional historical information of general interest
was also unearthed during this process, and many sites were
rechecked. A comprehensive picture of the District's heritage
of Port Haney was thus amassed. The completed inventory
forms were then assembled as an inventory master book for
further reference purposes.
Final Evaluation
The inventoried structures were then assessed as to their
overall relative importance to the area. Issues of architectural,
historical and contextual merit were assessed for each site. A
final evaluation was then undertaken, based on established
evaluation criteria. Through this process 95 historic buildings
were identified; in addition, 5 historic cemeteries, 14
landscape features and three historic objects were also
identified.
Construction dates given in this inventory are considered known if
they are accurate to within one year; other dates are listed as circa.
Names given to buildings are generally the earliest one that can be
determined, or in the case of most residences, the name of the first
owner. It is hoped that the owners of these buildings will find this
historical information to be a source of pride, and help them in the
process of the preservation and restoration of these important
structures. We wish everyone concerned the best of luck in the future
stages that will follow this inventory.
Throughout this project, respect was shown for the rights of individual
property owners. Anyone wishing to view these buildings should be
conscious of each owner's privacy, and should not cross the bounds
of private property.
The historic resources included as part of this report have been consistently evaluated according to the following criteria:
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
STYLE/TYPE: a building's style representative of the District's significant development periods; or a building type associated with a significant industrial, institutional, commercial or transportation activity.
- Excellent
- An excellent example of a style or type, or
- One of few surviving and very good examples of a style or type, or
- One of the earliest, very good examples of a style or type
- Very Good
- A very good example of a style or type, or
- A good example of a style or type that is notably early or rare.
- Good
- A good example of a style or type that is common.
- Fair/Poor
- An average example of a style or type that remains common.
DESIGN: A building's notable or special attributes of an aesthetic or functional nature. These may include massing, proportion, materials, detail, fenestration, ornamentation, artwork, or functional layout.
- Excellent
- A design that is outstanding in comparison with other examples.
- Very Good
- A design which is equal to several others of recognizable superior or special quality.
- Good
- A design which incorporates several special or aesthetic features.
- Fair/Poor
- A design of no special significance or quality beyond stylistic considerations.
CONSTRUCTION: A building's unique or uncommon building materials, or its historically early or innovative method of construction.
- Excellent
- One of the earliest known uses of an important or special material or method, or
- A now rare and out-of-use material or method.
- Very Good
- One of the earliest known surviving uses of an important or special material or method, or
- A notable or out-of-use material or method of which several examples survive.
- Good
- An out-of-use material or method which is typical of a period and still commonly found.
- Fair/Poor
- An example of no particular significance, or
- An example of typical construction techniques.
DESIGNER/BUILDER: A building's architect, designer, engineer and/or builder who has made a significant contribution to the District, province or nation.
- Excellent
- Those who were responsible for establishing or advancing a style, design or construction method that was significant and influential.
- Very Good
- Those whose works are of considerable importance to building and development.
- Good
- Those whose works are of some importance to building and development.
- Fair/Poor
- Of unknown or little significance.
CULTURAL HISTORY
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION:A building's direct association with a person, group, institution, event or activity that is of historical significance to the District, province or nation.
- Excellent
- Closely connected with a person, etc. of considerable importance.
- Very Good
- Closely connected with a person, etc of moderate importance.
- Good
- Closely connected with a person, etc. of some importance, or of moderate importance on a local area or neighbourhood level.
- Fair/Poor
- Minor historical association only, or unknown historical association.
HISTORICAL PATTERN: A building's association with broad patterns of local area history, including development and settlement patterns, early or important transportation routes, ecological or geographic change, significant landforms, or social, political or economic trends. In urban settings, a buildings recognition of street pattern and infrastructure.
- Excellent
- A building that can be directly linked to the establishment of an historical pattern of District-wide importance.
- Very Good
- A building that can be directly linked to the establishment of an historical pattern of local area or neighbourhood importance, or
- A building that can be linked to the establishment of an historical pattern, and is one of the earliest surviving examples.
- Good
- A building that provides strong evidence of an historical pattern of some importance.
- Fair/Poor
- A building of no discernible association with a recognizable historical pattern, or
- An unknown association with a recognizable pattern.
CONTEXT
LANDSCAPE/SITE: An intact historical landscape or landscape features associated with an existing building; or a notable historical relationship between a building's site and its immediate environment, including original native trees and topographical features; or a notable use of landscaping in conjunction with an existing building.
- Excellent
- A setting comprised of numerous, significant landscape features which are directly related to the building's style, design and history, or
- A notable and intact historical relationship between a building's site and the street, waterfront, view or other geographic leatures which were part of the building's original function or environment.
- Very Good
- A landscape which includes several dominant features which are directly related to the building's style, design, or history, or
- An altered, but still strongly apparent, historical relationship between the site and its immediate surroundings.
- Good
- A landscape which includes one or two important features which are directly related to the building's style, design, or history, or
- An altered, but still recognizable, historical relationship between the site and its immediate surroundings.
- Fair/Poor
- No significant and recognizable landscape features or building site relationship.
NEIGHBOURHOOD: A building's continuity and compatibility with adjacent buildings and visual contribution to a group of similar buildings.
- Excellent
- A building that is an important part of a visually prominent and notable group of buildings of similar style, type or age, in an area of compatible use.
- Very Good
- A building which forms part of a contiguous group of similar style, type or age in an area of compatible use, or
- A building with other inventoried addresses adjacent
- Good
- A building which is part of a contiguous group of similar style, type or age in an area of incompatible use, or
- A building which is not part of a contiguous group of similar style, type or age but is in an area of compatible use.
- Fair/Poor
- A building which is not part of a group of buildings of similar style, type or age, and is in an area of incompatible use.
VISUAL/SYMBOLIC IMPORTANCE:A building's importance as a landmark structure; or its symbolic value to the District or a local area or neighbourhood.
- Excellent
- A landmark building of District-wide importance, or
- A building of significant symbolic value to the District.
- Very Good
- A major visual landmark or a building of significant symbolic value to a local area or neighbourhood.
- Good
- A visual landmark or building of symbolic significance to its immediate surroundings.
- Fair/Poor
- A building of little or no landmark or symbolic significance, or
- A building which is not particularly prominent.
INTEGRITY
A measure of the impact of changes to the building on the appreciation of its style, design, construction or character.
- Excellent
- A building with no detracting alterations, or
- Alterations of a minor nature only, or
- Alterations which may be considered minor.
- Very Good
- A building with one or more minor alterations, the effect of which is recognizable but does not significantly detract from the style, design, construction or character.
- Good
- A building with a major alteration and/or a combination of several minor alterations, the effect of which detracts from the style, design, construction or character.
- Fair
- A building with several major alterations, the effect of which detracts from the style, design, construction or character.
- Poor
- A building with major alterations which greatly detract from the style, design, construction or character.
Other types of historic resources have been evaluated with similar criteria, adjusted
to fit each category.