In the early 1900s there was great hope in Central British Columbia for a thriving economy.
The major catalyst driving the hope was the construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway to attract workers, settlers and business people to the Fort George, Nechako and Bulkley Valley regions.
Since the recorded history relating to Fort George is pretty sparse, Prince George resident and local historian, Trelle Morrow, has written a book titled The Grand Trunk Pacific and other Fort George stuff that will make a nice gift for yourself or another at this time of the year.
Morrow says his book looks to examine the social matters that accompanied the building and operation of the GTP with a focus on Fort George region.
Readers will learn about the history of the GTP and Charles Hays, who was appointed general manager, and whose vision was to expand the railway right to the Pacific Ocean with the western terminus located on Kaien Island - today known as Prince Rupert.
The railway was divided into two sections for statistical purposes - the prairie section from Winnipeg to Wolf Creek (Edson, Alta.) and the mountain section having divisional points established at Edson, Jasper, McBride, Prince George, Endako, Smithers and Prince Rupert. The points ranged between 100 to 103 miles, based on the operating range of locomotives and need for maintenance and repair.
There are interesting stories about the divisional points, and how some of the sites progressed as planned while others didn't. There's also the story of the half-mile long big steel bridge crossing the Fraser River at Prince George, the longest railway bridge in the province.
The book contains many historical photos of documents, sites and the different railway cars that carried mail, baggage and passengers as well as those used for diners, sleepers, official cars and more.
You won't want to miss the story of the narrow gauge engine, called a dinky engine, that was salvaged from a refuse heap to become the pride of Fort George park.
Readers will see that the last spike driven to complete the railway in 1914 was not too distant from Prince George.
The book is available at Books & Company, CNC Bookstore and Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum for about $20.
