Lynda's Vancouver: Steveston Village in Richmond BC

Lynda's Vancouver:
Steveston Village, Richmond

Steveston is an area of Richmond that is both picturesque and historic. Steveston was founded by in 1889 by William Steves. The area became an important fishing and canning centre with an opera house, hotels and saloons. Apparently on a Saturday night when the fishermen were in, it was a "rough and tumble" place, with many taking advantage of the drinking, gambling and prostitution. Today, however, it is a picturesque fishing village with shops and eating establishments. You can find out about the history of the area at the Steveston Museum and discover the history and culture of the area.
There are lots of places to look here, you might want to stop for a bite to eat at the Shady Island restaurant. Luscious food and a great atmosphere -- if you are visiting in the summer, it's very pleasant sit out on the patio. The fireplace inside is great for a cool rainy fall day.

Steveston Sign pointing the
way to the Richmond Trail
and framing the shops of
Moncton Street.

Steveston is also home to lots of shops and businesses. You can pick up some art, get some delicious home-made ice-cream on Bayview Street, or check out a huge used bookstore over on Moncton Street.. There are also local craft stores and don't forget to pick up that Steveston T-shirt! After a stroll around the town, you can head out to the Richmond dyke and trail system and walk along the dykes that surround Richmond or just enjoy the view from Garry Point Park. You can see working boats moving up the Fraser River, and on a good day catch a good view of Mount Baker, across the border in Washington state.

Enjoying a leisurely lunch at the Shady
Island Restaurant overlooking the activity,
shops and Fisherman's Wharf.
Looking from Fisherman's Wharf back to the
Restaurants and shops of Steveston.

This area of Richmond is quite interesting. There is a Buddhist Temple here, you can see it as you drive in. People are welcome here, but you do need to remove your shoes when you enter. Also there are a few heritage sites here: the London Heritage farm is one which is restored to the 1890's period, the Britannia Heritage Shipyard is another. It's a rare example of the mix of residential, fishing, canning and boatyards once found in one of the earliest fishing villages on the west coast of Canada. There is also the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and National Historic Site located 12138 4th Avenue, Steveston. This was once called the "Monster Cannery" in the 1890's and echoes the days when it was once the leading producer of canned salmon in BC.
Run jointly by the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society with funding from Parks Canada, it has interactive activities, tours and a gift shop. The GOG Society began the process of saving the cannery and in the year 2000 they will be operating it by themselves. Parks Canada however will continue it's funding and own the site. The GOG Society does everything else, including the day to day running of the site. They have a new project 99' will see a 35' fishing vessel and interpretive centre opening in May 1999. You should also know that they close for the winter months as the cannery is just too hard to heat with the open floor. Tours and information are available year round at 664-9009.

Fishing Boats at Steveston.

The wharf at Steveston is still filled with working fishing boats. If you are in the market for some fresh fish, (perhaps for a barbeque?) you can pick up some salmon here and there is often a choice of fish. There is also a boat tour of the Steveston area, Fraser River (not all of it!) and Shady Island from this dock. Steveston is a charming diversion, not only because of it's history, but also because of the shops, it's relative quiet (compared to Robson Street and Granville Island) and the chance to get some great fish.

Parks | Granville Island | Steveston | Victoria

Last Updated: 000724

	Steveston is an area of Richmond that is both picturesque and historic. Steveston was founded by in 1889 by William Steves. The area became an important fishing and canning centre with an opera house, hotels and saloons. Apparently on a Saturday night when the fishermen were in, it was a "rough and tumble" place, with many taking advantage of the drinking, gambling and prostitution. Today, however, it is a picturesque fishing village with shops and eating establishments. You can find out about the history of the area at the Steveston Museum and discover the history and culture of the area. There are lots of places to look here, you might want to stop for a bite to eat at the Shady Island restaurant. Luscious food and a great atmosphere -- if you are visiting in the summer, it's very pleasant sit out on the patio. The fireplace inside is great for a cool rainy fall day.
Steveston Sign pointing the way to the Richmond Trail and framing the shops of Moncton Street.

Enjoying a leisurely lunch at the Shady Island Restaurant overlooking the activity, shops and Fisherman's Wharf.	Looking from Fisherman's Wharf back to the Restaurants and shops of Steveston.
This area of Richmond is quite interesting. There is a Buddhist Temple here, you can see it as you drive in. People are welcome here, but you do need to remove your shoes when you enter. Also there are a few heritage sites here: the London Heritage farm is one which is restored to the 1890's period, the Britannia Heritage Shipyard is another. It's a rare example of the mix of residential, fishing, canning and boatyards once found in one of the earliest fishing villages on the west coast of Canada. There is also the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and National Historic Site located 12138 4th Avenue, Steveston. This was once called the "Monster Cannery" in the 1890's and echoes the days when it was once the leading producer of canned salmon in BC. Run jointly by the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society with funding from Parks Canada, it has interactive activities, tours and a gift shop. The GOG Society began the process of saving the cannery and in the year 2000 they will be operating it by themselves. Parks Canada however will continue it's funding and own the site. The GOG Society does everything else, including the day to day running of the site. They have a new project 99' will see a 35' fishing vessel and interpretive centre opening in May 1999. You should also know that they close for the winter months as the cannery is just too hard to heat with the open floor. Tours and information are available year round at 664-9009.
Fishing Boats at Steveston.
The wharf at Steveston is still filled with working fishing boats. If you are in the market for some fresh fish, (perhaps for a barbeque?) you can pick up some salmon here and there is often a choice of fish. There is also a boat tour of the Steveston area, Fraser River (not all of it!) and Shady Island from this dock. Steveston is a charming diversion, not only because of it's history, but also because of the shops, it's relative quiet (compared to Robson Street and Granville Island) and the chance to get some great fish.