Steeped in History - The Golden Mile

Columbia Street in the heart of New Westminster has witnessed the city’s growth and prosperity for more than a hundred years. It is the oldest city in Western Canada but a devastating fire in 1898 destroyed much of the downtown area. Residents were determined to rebuild their city and in the 40s and 50s, Columbia Street once again became the buisness centre of the Fraser Valley. It prospered and attracted shoppers from across the Lower Mainland, comparable to Causeway Bay in Hong Kong as it became known as the “Golden Mile”. In the 60s, as highways were built and large shopping malls became popular, the “Golden Mile” lost its lustre. Today, Columbia Street continues to write the history of New Westminster. A new transformation is about to begin.