Area History

The Hamilton Heights sub-division was founded in 1911 by the Heywood-Lonsdale family. Family representative James Pemberton Fell, negotiated with the City of North Vancouver to complete the street car lines, the boundaries of the area and the eventual donation of the Heywood Park to the City. As the deal was completed in June 1911, Hamilton Avenue was constructed and named after the family of Mabel Hamilton – the wife of Henry Heywood-Lonsdale (1860-1930) for whom Lonsdale Avenue was named.

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The Capilano Street Car Line

On the shores of the Burrard Inlet and in the hills of North Vancouver, early in its history, a street car ride was a daily adventure and the most opportune way to commute to and from the shores and the ferries. The cars traveled the hills of Lonsdale, the streets of Lynn Valley and the roads towards the Capilano river.

Capilano Streetcar Mckay Creek Trestle Original

On September 1, 1906 the British Columbia Electric Railway launched its North Vancouver line at the foot of Lonsdale, carrying 408 passengers up and down the Lonsdale hill that day. After a successful Labour Day weekend, the Capilano Line began its operations on September 10, 1906 bringing passengers a limited distance west.

Street car proximity was much desired for new sub-divisions and housing growth. The Heywood-Lonsdale family were very concerned that the original planned route of the tram would not bring it through the newly proposed subdivision at Hamilton Heights. Deals were made and a bargain was struck. The tram would now descend Keith Hill to Fell Avenue, ascend past the Seaforth Terrace, head west along 20th Street and over a newly built trestle over Mckay Creek to Mckay Avenue and to 22nd Street. As part of the arrangements, the Heywood-Lonsdale family paid for the McKay Creek trestle and donated Heywood Park to the City of North Vancouver on June 12, 1911.

The trestle crossing over the Mckay Creek was 450 feet long and an outstanding 98 feet high. The full Capilano Tram line become operational in 1912 and transported vacationers, hikers and tourists to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and park.

In May of 1926, the Mckay Trestle was rebuilt to a 3 deck, single track crossing. The full line remained in service until September 30th, 1943 when the Mckay Creek wooden trestle was condemned and closed. The line terminated at Hamilton Avenue and Twentieth Street. Operations ceased on the Capilano Line in the early hours of April 24, 1947 – street car service ended.

The remains of the Mckay trestle crossing can still be seen in the Heywood Park creek. One of the City of North Vancouver’s heritage sites.

Heritage Trestle 1 comp      Heritage Trestle 2comp