Granite Falls History Researched and written by Ralph Drew, Belcarra, BC; Updated: October 2015.

Granite Falls History Researched and written by Ralph Drew, Belcarra, BC; Updated: October 2015. Recreational boat excursions up Indian Arm to Granite Falls began very early in the modern history of Burrard Inlet. Alice Crakanthorp (1864 1961) came to Hastings Sawmill in 1873 at age nine, and moved to Moodyville on the north shore of Burrard Inlet in 1874 with her mother, Emily Susan Patterson, the first nurse on Burrard Inlet: (1) We used to go up the inlet to what they call Granite Falls now; they were beautiful falls; in the ferry boat Senator. All the neighbours would get together and see what they could bake, and they would all go up [Indian Arm] and sit on the shore of the falls; the ladies would take their fancy work; they started that when I was about twelve; that would be about 1876; and kept it up until I was nineteen. Alice Crakanthorp (née Patterson). City of Vancouver Archives (CVA Out P126.1). Excursion to Granite Falls on the steam launch Yvonne in 1891. On June 6 th, 1886, just two months after the City of Vancouver was incorporated, and exactly one week before the new City of Vancouver was destroyed by the Great Fire, the local Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser newspaper proclaimed: (2) An excellent stone quarry has been found at the North Arm [Indian Arm] and it is not improbable we may have numerous stone buildings in Vancouver, as well as the brick structures now projected. Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser By August 1886, the large mountain outcrop of granite rock that gave Granite Falls its name was being utilized as a source of stone for constructing the grand new buildings in the young city of Vancouver: (3) The first shipment of stone from the North Arm quarries arrives today in tow of the steamer Senator. The supply of granite is first-class, and the quarry turning-out remarkably well. Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser One year later in 1887, the quarry at Granite Falls was being quickly developed: (4) The granite quarry on the North Arm of the Inlet is being rapidly developed. Arrangements have been made with the Burrard Inlet Towing Company to deliver two or three large scow loads weekly, the first of which arrived yesterday. Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser

City of Vancouver Archives (CVA Out P126.2). Steam Yacht Yvonne at Granite Falls on Indian Arm, 1891 note the original float consisting of two logs with planks on top.

In 1888, the News-Advertiser made reference to Stephenson & McCraney s Quarry, (5) presumably at Granite Falls, and in 1889 makes reference to Keefer s Quarry : (6) Spratt's Ark, in tow of the steamer Maude, was brought in yesterday from Victoria and taken up to the North Arm of the Inlet to [Hugh Forbes] Keefer's quarry [on the west shore of the North Arm] to load building material for Seattle... The Ark has been purchased by Keefer and Macdonald. Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser In August 1889, Hugh Keefer published a notice on the front page of the Vancouver Daily World newspaper of his intent to purchase the whole of Croker Island, approximately 160 acres in size, at the head of the North Arm. (7) Keefer established a granite quarry on the island that produced both dimensional granite blocks for building construction, and rectangular granite cobblestones for paving the streets of Vancouver. In 1890, both the steam-powered scow Spratt s Ark and Keefer s Quarry are referenced numerous times by the Vancouver Daily World newspaper: (8)(9)(10)(11) Spratt's Ark, after spending most of the winter at Keefer's quarry, on [the west shore of] the North Arm of the Inlet, came in yesterday with a cargo of granite for shipment to Portland. The stone is being dressed at the city wharf. Vancouver Daily World In 1891, the News-Advertiser references Kendall s Quarries at Granite Falls on the North Arm: (12) On Sunday last, the rock crusher was set-up at Dr. [W.H.] Kendall's quarries on the North Arm of the Inlet. It is expected that the first rock will be crushed about the end of this week. Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser In 1891, the News-Advertiser also references Kelly s Quarry on the North Arm: (13) Some splendid pieces of granite from Kelly's quarry on the North Arm of Burrard Inlet were delivered in Vancouver to begin the foundations of the new Bank of British North America building. Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser During 1892, Captain James Williams, owner of the 82-foot long and 13-foot wide steam tug S.S. Dreadnaught, (14) built in 1890 by Captain George H. Cooper (15) made daily trips hauling gravel scows to the Kendall s Quarry rock crusher at Granite Falls. (16) She usually had two scows, one each side, to keep her on even keel since she had had a hull that was built like a V. (15) The S.S. Dreadnaught was subsequently owned by W.H. Kendall from 1895 to 1898. (14) In 1896, three enterprising Vancouverites Miss E.J. Kendall and Messrs. A.B. Diplock and D.G. Marshall incorporated the Granite Falls Quarrying & Trading Company, Ltd. (17) Also in 1896, the Nationalist Association of Vancouver discussed purchasing the Granite Falls stone quarries as a possible investment by the City of Vancouver. (18) In 1899, the Vancouver Granite Company partnership between Hugh Forbes Keefer and Henry Clifford Godden was dissolved. (19) Also in 1899, the News-Advertiser reported that Messrs. Armstrong and Morrison, the well-known proprietors of the Iron Works on Alexander Street, have purchased the entire quarry business of Mr. W. L. Nicol, who became proprietor of it a couple of years ago, having then obtained the property from Mr. H. F. Keefer. (20)

By the start of the 20 th -century, Captain James Williams owned a small stone quarry at Granite Falls, who was later bought-out by Thomas Ralph Nickson and others who formed Coast Quarries Limited. They sold the company to the Dominion Trust Company of Vancouver who, in turn, sold the company to a Mr. Bicknell whose son was still operating the quarry in the 1930s. (21) Granite Falls, location of the longest operating quarry on Indian Arm, was going strong in the late 1930s to 1954 producing jetty rock, riprap and rubble. In September 1946, the Coast Quarries Limited bunk-house and cook-house at Granite Falls were completely destroyed by fire. (22) It was thought to have started from an overheated chimney flue. Indian River Quarries (1955 1964) operated by McKenzie Barge and Derrick Quarries Co. (1957) Ltd., of Vancouver was under lease in 1960. (23) In 1961 the rock quarry and equipment was tendered For Sale. (24) Materials at the Granite Falls site comprise granodiorite of the Jurassic to Tertiary Coast Plutonic Complex. The granodiorite is characteristically medium to coarse-grained and is cut by numerous dioritic dykes with closely spaced fractures. (25) City of Vancouver Archives (CVA SGN 180). An excursion to Granite Falls, circa 1890.

City of Vancouver Archives (CVA Out P16.1). Granite Falls, 1887.

City of Vancouver Archives (CVA 371-1483). Granite Falls, circa 1898.

City of Vancouver Archives (CVA Out P270.1). Granite Falls, circa 1914.

City of Vancouver Archives (CVA Out P149.1). Coast Quarries Limited at Granite Falls, circa 1925.

City of Vancouver Archives (CVA Out P149.2). Coast Quarries Limited employee residences at Granite Falls, circa 1925.

City of Vancouver Archives (CVA Out P149.1). Coast Quarries Limited at Granite Falls, circa 1925.

Throughout the 20 th -century, the magnificent beauty of the Indian Arm fjord has been a popular destination for day-cruise excursions from Vancouver Harbour. In 1915 the Harbour Shipping Company leased Wigwam Inn and operated the chalet from 1915 until 1919. In the 1920s Wigwam Inn reopened and guests were invited to enjoy the elegance and comfort of the lodge once again. In the following years Wigwam Inn changed hands many times. From June 2 nd, 1925 to December 31 st, 1929, Harbour Navigation Company leased and refurbished Wigwam Inn and the surrounding land for the use of its holidaying passengers. On April 21 st, 1927, the company also bought 12 acres of land (Lots A and B, Plan 4072) at Belcarra Bay from the Bidwell Bay and Belcarra Company Limited where it developed resort facilities including a large wharf, picnic grounds, 10 rental cabins, a dance pavilion, and a small store (Belcarra Park). During the 1930s depression Wigwam Inn operated mainly as a day lodge where recreational boaters were served. Harbour Navigation Company owned Wigwam Inn from 1946 until April 1962 when it sold both Wigwam Inn and Belcarra Park to Wigwam Inn Holdings Ltd. (26) In 1930, Harbour Navigation Company purchased the MV Scenic, which delivered mail to those living up Indian Arm. In 1945, Harbour Navigation Company purchased the MV Hollyburn (built in 1936) which did trips up Indian Arm to Wigwam Inn. (26) Prior to the purchase from Harbour Navigation Company, the MV Hollyburn carried passengers across the First Narrows to North Vancouver. In 1951 Harbour Navigation Company was sold to Louis Lawson, Fred Mitchell and Peter Cowan, and the company was sold again in 1960 to Belcarra Park Resort Ltd. Peter Cowan, President, and Louis Lawson, Secretary. Wigwam Inn operated profitably in association with the Harbour Navigation Company until the late 1950s, after which Wigwam Inn slowly deteriorated as it passed through a succession of owners. (26)(27)(28) In 1965 the new owners of Harbour Navigation Company, Doug Emery and Don Clark, commenced work on the Granite Falls Resort, a $250,000 marina and lodge development to replace the derelict Wigwam Inn. (29)(30) Their plans included dinner and dancing facilities, beer garden, roller skating pad, picnic area and horseshoe pitches. The company vessels MV Hollyburn, MV Harbour Princess and MV Scenic made daily cruises up Indian Arm during the summer months. In October 1972 the lodge and staff bunkhouse at the Granite Falls Resort was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. (31)(32)

Harbour Navigation Company (1965) Limited Brochure, Vancouver Public Library, NW 971.133, N86ha Pam, 1965. Granite Falls Resort Brochure by the Harbour Navigation Company. (33)

Harbour Navigation Company (1965) Limited Brochure, Vancouver Public Library, NW 971.133, N86ha Pam, 1965. Granite Falls Resort Brochure by the Harbour Navigation Company. (33)

Source: 'The Leader' Newsletter, Riverview Hospital, 1969. Granite Falls Resort, 1969. (34) Source: 'The Leader' Newsletter, Riverview Hospital, 1969. The Galley Restaurant, Granite Falls Resort, 1969. (34)

1960s Post Card showing the Granite Falls Resort 1960s Post Card showing the lodge and picnic area at Granite Falls Resort

In 1976 Harbour Navigation Company expanded with a new owner, a new name (Harbour Ferries Ltd.) and new vessels to serve the growing population and increasing numbers of visitors to Vancouver. In 1996 the company was renamed Harbour Cruises Ltd. and continues today as one of Vancouver s leading boat cruise companies. In early 1994 the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) proposed the creation of a new park called Granite Falls Regional Park. The proposed park entailed purchase of up to 375 acres (151.8 ha) around key locations in upper Indian Arm, and the GVRD proceeded to purchase properties at Granite Falls (77 acres = 31.2 ha), Croker Island (145 acres = 58.7 ha) and Clementine Creek (135 acres = 54.6 ha) to become part of GVRD s regional park system. An interim agreement, subject to GVRD Board and Ministerial approvals, was negotiated for the purchase of the Granite Falls property at a cost of $2 million with completion on March 31 st, 1994. (35) Source: GVRD Parks Department, 1994 Report. 1994 GVRD Proposal for Granite Falls Regional Park. (35)

In April of 1995, Premier Mike Harcourt announced British Columbia s newest class A provincial park, Indian Arm Provincial Park, a 9,300-hectare arc of land around Indian Arm, more than 20 times the size of Stanley Park. (36) The properties that were purchased by the GVRD at Granite Falls, Croker Island and Clementine Creek were subsequently transferred to the Province of British Columbia to be included in Indian Arm Provincial Park as part of a land swap under the auspices of the Lower Mainland Nature Legacy Program. Source: maps.google.ca Map of Mount Seymour & Indian Arm Provincial Parks. Today, Granite Falls offers rustic beachfront camping at the base of the 50m tall waterfall. Considered one of the most spectacular camping trips out of Vancouver, Granite Falls is a beloved local secret that is only accessible by boat. The campsite is small, but it does have basic amenities such as pit toilets and water, although most campers simply gather water from the falls themselves.

References: (1) City of Vancouver Archives, Conversation with Mrs. Alice Crakanthorp, April 25 th, 1939, Major J.S. Matthews, Early Vancouver, Vol. 4, 1944, pages 192 197. (2) Excellent Stone Quarry Found, Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, Monday, June 6 th, 1886. (3) First Shipment of Stone, Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, Friday, August 13 th, 1886. (4) Granite Quarry on the North Arm, Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, Saturday, August 27 th, 1887. (5) Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, August 2 nd, 1888. (6) Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, Wednesday, September 25 th, 1889. (7) Notice To Purchase Croker Island, Vancouver Daily World, Thursday, August 29 th, 1889, page 1. (8) Vancouver Daily World, Tuesday, March 18 th, 1890, page 4. (9) Vancouver Daily World, Monday, April 28 th, 1890, page 1. (10) Vancouver Daily World, Wednesday, July 9 th, 1890, page 4. (11) Vancouver Daily World, Thursday, August 21 st, 1890, page 4. (12) Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, Wednesday, July 8 th, 1891, page 8. (13) 75 Years Ago [1891]: Kelly s Quarry, Vancouver Sun, December 5 th, 1966; Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, December 5 th, 1891. (14) Source: The Nauticapedia On-line Vessels Database ( www.nauticapedia.ca ). (15) Chasing the Horizon: Some incidents in the life of Captain George H. Cooper, May 25 th, 2015, https://oppositethecity.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/chasing-the-horizon-some-incidents-in-the-life-ofcaptain-george-h-cooper/ (16) The Beauties and Advantages of the North Arm, Daily News-Advertiser, June 9 th, 1892, page 5. (17) Granite Falls Quarrying & Trading Company Ltd., British Colonist, April 17 th, 1896. (18) Nationalist Association - Granite Falls Stone Quarries, British Colonist, December 12 th, 1896. (19) Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, Tuesday, April 18 th, 1899. (20) Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, Saturday, December 30 th, 1899, page 2. (21) City of Vancouver Archives, Conversation with Thomas Ralph Nickson, October 5 th, 1933, Major J.S. Matthews, Early Vancouver, Vol. 3, 2011 Edition, page 261. (22) B.C. Ministry of Mines, 1946 Annual Report, Victoria, BC, 1947, page 213. (23) Club Tread Community On-Line Forum, Post by niftyniall, June 29 th, 2010; http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?topic_id=35242 (24) For Sale By Tender, Rock Quarry & Equipment, Vancouver Daily Province, July 20 th, 1961. (25) British Columbia Ministry of Mines, MINFILE No. 092GSE036; http://minfile.gov.bc.ca/summary.aspx?minfilno=092gse036 (26) Pam Humphreys and Steven G. Wong, The History of Wigwam Inn, Vancouver, BC, July 1982. (27) Looters Strip Wigwam Inn, Vancouver Sun, May 16 th, 1963, page 1. (28) Vandals, Thieves Ransack Once Plush Wigwam Inn, Vancouver Province, May 17 th, 1963. (29) Granite Falls Resort, Vancouver Province, June 23 rd, 1965. (30) What A Wonderful Family Party, Vancouver Sun, August 11 th, 1965. (31) Fire Levels Indian Arm Lodge and Bunkhouse, Vancouver Sun, October 23 rd, 1972. (32) Blaze At Lodge Probed, Vancouver Province, October 24 th, 1972. (33) Harbour Navigation Company (1965) Limited Brochure, Vancouver Public Library, NW 971.133, N86ha Pam, 1965. (34) The Leader Newsletter, Riverview Hospital, 1969. (35) Greater Vancouver Regional District, GVRD Board Report, Proposed New Regional Parks: Indian Arm and Glen Valley, February 9 th, 1994. (36) Lisa Morry, Province Says Park It Environmentalists happy as B.C. government declares new provincial park, Tri-City News, April 23 rd, 1995, page1.

Source: www.johomaps.com Indian Arm Topographic Map