Back to life...			...in Smithers

On September 3, 1914, the first regular train arrived at Smithers on the new Grand Trunk Railway. Before that date, all freight had to be moved by sternwheeler up the Skeena River to Hazelton then by horse and wagon to the Bulkley Valley on rough and muddy tracks.

The first train photo courtesy of the Bulkley Valley Museum

The new railroad made it easy to move people and goods to and from north central British Columbia and the railroad station in each community was the hub of commerce and social life. The mail was carried by train, and the telegraph office, at each station, was the quickest source of news from the rest of the world and the best way to send news. In the waiting room, people met visitors or signed for incoming parcels and freight. The restaurant in the Smithers station was an important meeting place in the community. In Smithers, the first railway station was a small temporary wooden building.

The Smithers station, built in 1919

Construction soon began on a large three-story concrete and masonry station with 3000 square feet on each of the first two floors. The Smithers station is unique. It was a divisional station on the Winnipeg to Prince Rupert line and one of the largest of its kind.The station was completed in 1919.