Hidden History Beneath Your Feet 🌲
Did you know this peaceful waterfront park was once home to one of the largest sawmills in the British Empire? Back in 1889, David Maclaren built a mill here near a new C.P.R. station and named it after his wife’s family—Barnet. By 1909, a whole village had sprung up around the mill, complete with 21 families, a school, post office, police, and even telegraph services!
But prosperity didn’t last forever. The Great Depression led to the mill’s closure in 1931. A brief comeback in 1939 was short-lived when a fire destroyed the rebuilt mill in 1940. By 1958, even the small replacement mill was gone.
Today, all that remains is this brick burner base—made by Clayburn—and a few concrete foundations nearby. This plaque, placed by Burnaby Parks & Recreation in 1982, tells the story of rise and decline. It’s a quiet reminder of BC’s industrial past, right where kids now play and families picnic.
Next time you’re at Barnet Marine Park, take a moment to stand on the bricks of history. ✨
#BurnabyHistory #BarnetMarinePark #BCForestry #HiddenHistory #CanadianHeritage #ExploreBC
