Hiway16 Magazine... about people and places in north-central British Columbia, Canada

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The Brothers of Pioneer Ranch

by Debi Osborne

This is a true account of 2 men and 2 ranches that 100 years later came about full circle to begin the story again.

Ontario-raised Archie McInnes first ventured into the Pleasant Valley (present-day Houston) while working on line construction for the Collins Overland telegraph in the late 1800s. When work ended, Archie made his way to the Yukon, then to Victoria where he entered into business with his older brother Jack. But apparently the Valley kept calling him back.

Neil (on left) and Archie McInnes
(All photos courtesy of the Houston and District Chamber of Commerce)

In 1900, Archie returned, this time with his younger brother Neil, to help build the Telegraph Line between Port Essington and Hazelton, along the Skeena River. When the line was complete, they moved to the North Bulkley Telegraph Cabin where Archie assumed the role of linesman and Neil worked as the telegraph operator. Together, in 1903, they preempted a full section of land, one half called Pioneer Ranch and the other Meadowbrook Farm.

(North Bulkley is located along the Bulkley River about halfway between Houston and Topley)

The Pioneer Ranch homestead

That same year, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway announced plans to push a railway through the Pleasant Valley. The brothers recognized the coming need for fresh supplies for the construction crews and so became the earliest farmers in the area.

They brought in the first mowing machine and hay rake. They hauled the equipment by riverboat to Hazelton, dismantled it there and packed it in pieces to their property.






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