Powell River, British Columbia, is a company town for the pulp and paper industry.  It was built after 1910, and has a great store of bungalows built for the workers at the Mill. There are also some wonderful public buildings in the town that are great to visit. In this article, we explore the historic townsite of Powell River and some of the early residential and public architecture that was built in this sea-side town.

For more detailed information (with lots of photographs) on the styles of bungalow homes in the town, please see the article in Classic Bungalows: http://classicbungalows.com/2012/01/30/bungalows-in-a-planned-community-powell-river-british-columbia/

But a bit of historical and geographic background first, so it all makes sense…

The town of Powell River is tucked away on the coast of British Columbia, Canada. A town of around 20,000 people, it is at the most northerly end of the world’s longest highway [‘Highway 101’] that connects Canada south all the way to Chile in South America. Powell River is about five hours drive north of Vancouver, and requires a couple of ferry rides to traverse the deep fjords along this part of the remote British Columbia coastline.

The town of Powell River, British Columbia. The pulp mill is at the left, with the original townsite on the hill above the Mill. Stretching to the south on the right were later additions of the 1920’s. A further, more modern extension of the town continues to the right, out of the picture. The mountains of the Coast Range rise to the east behind the town.Mill and townsite of Powell River from the air by James Blake. AirPhoto courtesy Wikipedia Commons

A pulp mill, the first in Western Canada to produce newsprint, began construction in Powell River in 1908, and production of newsprint commenced in 1912. The pulp mill grew to being the world’s largest newsprint mill in the 1960’s. In 1910, the townsite began to be laid out by The Powell River Company, with the majority of the townsite being designed by Scottish-born John McIntyre when he was townsite manager between the years 1919 to 1931.

Streets of bungalows were constructed over about a ten block area, most having views of the ocean. Neighbourhoods that placed workers in the same occupation together were planned. As the mill expanded in the 1920’s, the original town plan was extended and additional housing of sympathetic design was constructed to the south along gentle crescents laid out on the heavily forested hillside.

The houses that were built consist of groups of houses having a number of standardized designs, all recognizable today as variations on ‘bungalow’ lines – even with inevitable later changes. A small downtown was also built by the Company with some frankly amazing civic buildings that are still there today. The old townsite of Powell River, British Columbia was designated a National Historic District in 1995. The Historic Townsite is one of only a few professionally planned, single-industry towns dating from the early modern period in Canadian town planning that has been caringly preserved and restored by its residents.

A view of the earliest part of the Powell River townsite, looking down towards the commercial district and the harbour. Early 20th century.

Newly constructed bungalows in Powell River with front porches overlooking the ocean, c1920’s. These brown shingled houses were typical of the ‘California Bungalow’ style popular at the time.

The same street as seen above, but well settled in, after several years. The mature street trees and civic plantings of Powell River added a sense of lushness to the town. Civic pride was evident throughout the townsite.

The cohesive architecture and the care given to the well-planted boulevards made for a special ambience found throughout the town. A variety of house styles gave variety to the planned neighbourhoods.

Interior of one of Powell River’s bungalows – with correct accessories of wicker furniture, a brick fireplace and Indian baskets on the mantelpiece.