CPR in BC Timeline

The previous contents of this page have been moved to Railways in Southern British Columbia. (Dec 4, 2005)

This timeline contains information about the construction and early operation of the Canadian Pacific Railway in British Columbia.

1871

• British Columbia joins confederation, July 20, 1871.
• Survey crews survey Fraser Canyon, North Thompson, South Thompson, Yellowhead Pass. (Surveying in 1871)

1872

• Survey crews survey Bute Inlet. (Surveying in 1872)
• Sandford Fleming and George Grant travel across Canada.

1873

• Survey crews explored Howe Sound and Squamish valley as well as the North Thompson. (Surveying in 1873)

1874

• Survey crews explore the upper Fraser River near Prince George (Surveying in 1874)

1875

• Trial location completed between Bute Inlet, Prince George and the Yellowhead Pass (Surveying in 1875)

1876

• Surveying on the upper Fraser River as well as the Chilcotin (Surveying in 1876)

1878

• Revisions in the Fraser Canyon including locating the main crossing at Cisco (Surveying in 1878)

1879

• Further explorations in northern British Columbia
• Canadian government officially decides on the Burrard Inlet route (October 4)
• Onderdonk signs first contract with the Canadian Government to build the railway in the Fraser Canyon. (December 23)

1880

• May 15 - first dynamite near Yale to start construction.

1883

• December - Cisco bridge arrives in Vancouver from England

1884

• January - last spike on Fraser Valley section
• June - Cisco bridge put into place

1885

• July - track reaches Kamloops
• November 7 - Last spike in the CPR at Craigellachie.