Did you know that Coquitlam was home to Canada’s first purpose-built road-racing track? Or that Hollywood celebrities Clark Gable and John Wayne used to fish the Coquitlam River? The City of Coquitlam archivist shared these interesting historical facts to the public in 2016 – a year of celebration in this city – as residents celebrated Coquitlam’s 125th birthday.
The Coast Salish have lived on these lands for thousands of years, and the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation today play an important role within the community. To learn more about the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation, please visit their website.
The Coquitlam Heritage Society also has resources on the history of Coquitlam.
Today, visitors will be fascinated to learn that Minnekhada Lodge was once a retreat for the wealthy and how Maillardville attracted an influx of French settlers during the early 1900s, creating what now remains the largest community of francophone and French Canadians in B.C.
In 2016, Coquitlam celebrated its 125th birthday, which included a year of festivities and community events. Woven through the projects was the theme: ‘Stories told, Stories to be Created.’ Among the legacy projects included an initiative that invited the public to share their Coquitlam stories through words, images and art.
The City of Coquitlam Archives was founded in 2013 to preserve and create access to records of enduring value. The Archives also acquires, preserves, and makes accessible the records of businesses, organizations, and private individuals that are of significance to the municipality and deemed worthy of long-term preservation. You can view their online exhibits here.
- Colony Farm
- Lafarge Lake
- Maillardville & Carre Heritage Square
- Minnekhada Regional Park & Minnekhada Lodge
- Mundy Park
- Riverview Lands
- Robinson Memorial Cemetery
- Westwood Plateau / Racetrack