POWELL RIVER HISTORIC DISTRICT
Powell River is an exceptional example of a professionally planned, single-industry town dating from the early modern period in Canadian town planning. The oldest sector, begun in 1910-1911, focuses on the mill, the first newsprint manufacturer in western Canada and, for a number of years, the world's largest individual producer. Immediately to the east stands the original residential core which marches up the hill in a compact gridiron pattern commonly used in early planned towns. Neighbourhoods, which placed workers in the same occupation together, consist of groups of houses having a small number of standardized designs. As the mill expanded, the original town plan was extended in the 1920s and additional housing of sympathetic design was constructed to the south along gentle crescents laid out on the heavily forested hillside. Further residential development took place in suburbs located beyond the original townplot. As a result, Powell River's townsite largely retains its early 20th century appearance. A pioneer in Canadian town planning, the community also illustrates the emergence of an industry of international importance.
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L'ARRONDISSEMENT HISTORIQUE DE POWELL RIVER
Datant des débuts de l'urbanisme au Canada, Powell River constitue un exemple exceptionnel de l'aménagement d'une ville mono-industrielle. Son secteur le plus ancien s'est développé à partir de 1910-1911 autour de la papeterie, première fabrique de papier journal de l'Ouest canadien et, pendant des années, la plus importante usine indépendante au monde. À l'est, à flanc de colline, se trouve la première zone résidentielle dont le plan en damier serré est caractéristique du type d'aménagement de l'époque. Les travailleurs étaient regroupés par métier dans des quartiers constitués de maisons construites selon un petit nombre de plans standard. L'expansion de la papeterie dans les années 1920 entraîna l'étalement de la ville. Des maisons s'harmonisant bien aux précédentes furent érigées au sud, le long de rues en forme de croissant aménagées dans le boisé de la colline. L'ensemble a conservé ses caractéristiques originelles car les développements résidentiels ultérieurs ont été réalisés en banlieue. Pionnière de l'urbanisme au Canada, l'arrondissement témoigne également de la naissance d'une industrie d'importance internationale.
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This plaque text is recorded in the Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, published by Parks Canada for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Plaque texts come from the Directory’s open dataset in the languages the Directory publishes them in; the pin on this page is ours, worked out from the Directory’s street address or local area and marked approximate. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. TreeAlive is an independent project and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Parks Canada or the Government of Canada. Open Government Licence – Canada