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Online Heritage Inventory

Gulf of Georgia Cannery

General Information
Thumbnail photograph of Gulf of Georgia Cannery
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Type of Resource: Building
Common Name: Gulf of Georgia Cannery
Address: 12138 4th Avenue
Neighbourhood (Planning Area Name): Steveston
Construction Date: 1894
Current Owner: Federal Government
Designated: Yes

Statement of Significance
Description of Site
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery forms the western boundary of Cannery Row, an historic grouping of canneries which once existed along the Steveston Riverfront. The cannery building is part of a complex of buildings and is a large structure constructed in an L shape, with a wood piling foundation and associated wharves. The cannery is a landmark looking west along Moncton Street.

 Statement of Values
The Cannery has historical importance in its context as the most westerly surviving fish canning and processing plant in a series that once stretched along Steveston’s riverfront. It is one of the few cannery complexes still intact, and retained its village roots and independent status during the B.C. Packers sweep of 1902.
The style and massing of the buildings relate directly to their function as a cannery and processing plant; they are intact and well maintained. Additions to the buildings over time are significant in that they reflect changes in fishing and processing on the west coast. The Cannery is associated with other structures on the site, such as the net lofts, which are still in active use by the fishing industry.
Designated as a national historic site in 1993, the complex documents and communicates the history of the west coast fishery resources and promotes their stewardship.

 Character Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include:
· The plan of the building in an L shape reflecting its use in canning and fish processing.
· The form and details of the building, including a variety of cladding materials indicating changes to the structure, multi-pane wooden sash windows varying in size, and the roofline which is a complex and interesting mix of gables and gable dormers.
· The construction of the building on wooden pilings extending into the river.
· The relationship of the cannery structure to the river is an important aspect of the landscape.

 History
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery forms the western boundary of Cannery Row, an historic grouping of canneries which once existed along the Steveston Riverfront. The cannery building is part of a complex of buildings and is a large structure constructed in an L shape, with a wood piling foundation and associated wharves. The cannery is a landmark looking west along Moncton Street.

 Architectural Significance
Architectural Style
Working Industrial

 Building Type
Fish Cannery and Processing

 Name of Architect or Builder
Original unknown; Gower, Yeung and Associates contracted for superstructure design and project supervision of the restoration program.

 Design Features
The Cannery site consists of a complex of buildings constructed between 1894 and 1964 in response to changing technology and the needs of the fishing industry .They include the main cannery building, ice house, vitamin oil shed, drum storage shed, watchman's shed and lead foundry .Other buildings or structures on the site include net lofts and the front wharf which are owned by Small Craft Harbours Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, other associated outbuildings, and fishing boat moorage. The major cannery building is constructed in an L shape, with all of the buildings having a wood piling foundation. Cladding varies between buildings, but consists of a mixture of horizontal board and batten, shiplap, drop siding and corrugated sheet metal. Windows vary in size, and are multi-pane wooden sash. The roofline is a complex and interesting mix of gables and gable dormers which are clad either in cedar shingles or corrugated sheet metal. Paint colour is grey sheeting with red trim.

 Construction Method
Wood frame and heavy timber construction; some or all buildings supported by wooden pilings.

 Landscape Significance
Landscape Element
Cultural Landscape/Natural Environment

 Design Attributes
The Cannery is an example of an evolved cultural landscape, one which has been shaped through use by people's activities or occupancy, in this case the fishing industry .Landscape elements on the site include the river, wharves and pilings, riprap retention systems, and native grasses. Water can be seen between the pilings under the buildings. The relationship of the cannery structure to the river is an important aspect of the landscape.

 Integrity
Alterations
Almost all of the original buildings on the site are still standing. Nearby workers quarters have been demolished. Although there have been numerous additions since the initial construction in 1894, the original structure and the relationship between the buildings to each other and to the physical context is clearly intact

 Original Location
Yes

 Condition
The Cannery building complex is now in very good condition after restoration work on buildings and docks.

 Lost
No

 Documentation
Evaluated By
Denise Cook BlA, PBD (Public History)

 Date
Monday, September 4, 2000

 Documentation
"Heritage Inventory Phase II" by Foundation Group Designs, May 1989.
Inventory sheets by Diana Bodner (Foundation Group) January 1989.
Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site Master Plan, Canadian Heritage&
Parks Canada 1993.

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