Pioneer Burnaby 1905 - 1924

1905 pop. 800
1924 pop. 20,000

The suburban real estate boom of 1905-1914 was fuelled by an expanding Provincial economy that was based on the growth of the mining and lumber trade and rapid immigration. Burnaby, located between two expanding urban centres, achieved tremendous growth as the expansion of the local electric railway system, steam railroads, and highways stimulated development.

Commercial and industrial development grew beyond the lumber and agricultural sectors to reflect Burnaby’s new status as part of a "greater Vancouver." This period saw the creation of two distinct and separate commercial and residential districts in North and South Burnaby which was reflected through local zoning bylaws.

The location of Burnaby’s Municipal Hall at Edmonds was a result of South Burnaby's early growth, larger population and political strength. Although the expansion of Burnaby was tempered by another economic recession and World War I, by 1925, its population had eclipsed that of New Westminster and it would soon become the third largest municipality in British Columbia.

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