Updated June 10, 2008
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Townsite Heritage Society of Powell River

Powell River Townsite is a unique coastal community of British Columbia, Canada that was designated as a National Historic District of Canada in 1995, one of only seven in Canada and the only one in western Canada. A very prestigious designation, it confirms that Powell River Townsite, remarkably intact with over 400 original buildings contained within the borders of the 1910 town plan, is an historical asset to the entire country.

Historically, our community was preplanned with principles generated from progressive philosophical movements arising as a result of the excesses of industrialization in the late 19th century.

The Garden City and Arts and Crafts Movements influenced Powell River's planners of 1910 in regard to the location and architectural style of our homes, parks, green belts, commercial buildings and recreation facilities.

The prime mover behind the town's development was the Powell River Company, which was responsible for preplanning, constructing and providing for most of the community's needs.

Future plans call for the Townsite Historical Society to embark upon a major project in the form of a Heritage Park incorporating a pulp and paper Museum, memorial and specimen gardens, representations of Sliammon First Nations culture and authentic reproductions of historical buildings.