Halifax: August 27, 1912 <<< >>> Victoria: October 17, 1912
| Today's Statistics: | Travelling from Chilliwack, British Columbia to Vancouver, British Columbia | |||
| Distance: 126 km | Driving Hours: 3.5 h | Fuel: 24 l | Weather: Cloudy | Temperature: Min. 7 Max. 16 |
The day began under cloudy, damp skies as the Reo was escorted by members of the Vintage Car Club of Canada's Antique and Chilliwack Chapters. The cars headed west through the Fraser Valley along Old Yale Road. When this route was contructed in the late 1800's, it followed the original telegraph line that ran from San Francisco to the gold rush towns of the Cariboo.
The trip through the Fraser Valley took the Reo through Abbotsford (home of North America's largest Airshow), Langley, and Surrey. At Langley, the size of the group increased as more members of the Vintage Car Club and also the Gizeh Vintage Vehicles group joined in.
Langley is located close to the site of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Langley, which was established in 1827 to handle the fur trade along the Fraser River. In 1858, when the colony of British Columbia was formed, Fort Langley was named the capital. However, one year later, the capital was changed to New Westminster, just a short trip further down the river.
Upon arriving at New Westminster, the cars stopped at City Hall, where the 1997 pathfinders were greeted by Mayor Helen Sparkes, New Westminster Museum Curator Archie Miller, and a large crowd of well-wishers. A New Westminster police escort then led the group to the New Westminster Quay Public Market of the Fraser River waterfront.
New Westminster was named by Queen Victoria and is often called "The Royal City" for that reason. Its days as B.C.'s capital lasted until 1868, by which time the colony of British Columbia had been united with the colony of Vancouver Island and Victoria was chosen as capital of the entire region. New Westminster remained a major transportation centre because of its location close to the mouth of the Fraser. Goods and people heading up the river to the gold fields in the Cariboo were often shipped from New Westminster.
After a short time, the Reo and its escort vehicles were once again underway. A short drive along Kingsway took them to the Speedy Auto Centre in Burnaby, where the Findlays and John Nicol were greeted by Mr. Dan Johnston, Deputy Mayor and Mr. Steve Marbach, B.C. Mainland Area Director for Speedy Auto Centres. Grade 6 students from Nelson School made the trek over to Speedy to see the Reo and greet the Findlays.
The drive continued along Kingsway, passing by cheering students from Norquay Elementary School, and then General Wolfe Elementary School, where Peter Findlay teaches, finally concluding at Vancouver City Hall. There, greetings from Mayor Philip Owen were presented by Acting Mayor Alan Herbert and the day was officially ended. The Reo had made it home to Vancouver!
The cars stopped for lunch at New Westminster Quay, the marketplace alongside
the Fraser River.
... General Wolfe School welcomes back the Findlays and the Reo
On this day in 1912 ...