Introduction

In the pre-contact and settlement history of the Northwest, no communities were preordained to become the commercial and populous centres of the region. Along the Skeena River corridor, both before and after the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway came through, small communities competed with each other to survive and prosper. Some communities - Terrace, Prince Rupert and the Hazeltons – were fortunate to attract settlers, diversify, and grow into regional hubs in the mid-twentieth century. Our project endeavours to examine the history of four other communities, who, at one time, had as much to offer as these towns.

Remo, Usk, Pacific and Meanskinisht/Cedarvale share a common history in that each community was either bisected by the river, or, as in the case of Pacific, ended up on the ‘wrong’ side of the river when Highway 16W was constructed during the Second World War. In and of themselves, these communities have fascinating histories. The basis by which each was founded, and evolved, demonstrates the diverse experiences of the region’s communities. An examination of these communities also yields insight as to regional settlement patterns and transportation obstacles. By no means though are these communities to be considered ‘failures’. Although their populations have declined since the early 20th century, they retain meaning to the residents, and are part of the rural nature of the Northwest region.

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