Kennedy Trail facts for kids
The Kennedy Trail was a very important path built a long time ago in what is now British Columbia, Canada. It was the first trail made by settlers in the area known as the Lower Mainland. This trail helped people travel and settle new lands.
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The Kennedy Trail: A Path Through History
How the Trail Began
The idea for the Kennedy Trail came from a man named James Kennedy. In June 1860, he wrote a letter to Governor James Douglas. Kennedy suggested building a trail from a spot across from New Westminster to a place near Semiahmoo Bay. He believed this trail would help people settle the land quickly.
In January 1861, James Kennedy signed a contract to build the trail. He made this agreement with Colonel Richard Clement Moody, who was in charge of Lands and Works.
Where Did the Trail Go?
The trail started on James Kennedy's own land. This land was on the south side of the Fraser River, across from New Westminster. Today, this area is called Annieville in North Delta.
From there, the trail followed the higher ground across North Delta. It continued into Surrey, heading towards Mud Bay. The main part of the trail reached the flat lands at Mud Bay, near a place called Colebrook. A smaller path branched off from the main trail. This branch went southeast through Panorama Ridge. It ended at the bottom of Woodward Hill, in a natural grassy area next to the Serpentine River.
More Than Just a Trail
The Kennedy Trail and its survey were finished in August 1861. The survey was done by the Royal Engineers. In the same month, Colonel Moody included the trail on a map. This map showed how good the land in the lower Fraser Valley was for farming.
In December 1864, William McColl wrote a report about a plan for a telegraph line. This line would bring messages to New Westminster. His report included a map that showed the telegraph line would follow "Kennedy's Trail" from Mud Bay to the Fraser River. This meant the trail was also known as the Telegraph Trail. It was also sometimes called the Mud Bay Trail. Maps made in 1873 for the Semiahmoo Trail also showed the Kennedy Trail.
