About The North Shore

OVERVIEW

The North Shore is made up of the two cities of North Vancouver and West Vancouver. West Vancouver lies on the west side of the Capilano River and North Vancouver lies on the east side. With a close proximity to both Burnaby and Downtown Vancouver as well as a short distance to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal makes the North Shore a popular transportation route. Home to the North Shore Mountains and beautiful views of the water makes the North Shore a truly dynamic, exciting place to live.

West Vancouver holds a wide diversity of neighbourhoods where the variety of housing is sure to appeal to many different people and North Vancouver is characterized by the beautiful landscape and outdoors as well as a large social and active life. With attractions like the North Shore Mountains, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Deep Cove, Lynn Canyon Park, and Lonsdale Quay, many people have made the decision to move to the area.

Popular golf courses like the Capilano Golf and Country Club and the Seymour Golf and Country Club are among the top courses in BC and are also located in the North Shore.

HISTORY

The development of the North Shore began when Captain George Vancouver entered the Burrard Inlet and exchanged gifts with the first nations in 1792.  It began mainly as a holiday destination where many would travel across from Vancouver to enjoy the sun and picnic or camp in the fresh air. 

In 1873, Jack Thomas who was the first white resident to move to the area built his home in the community that is today known as Ambleside.  He lived there with his wife who was the granddaughter of Chief Ki-ep-i-lan-o after whom the Capilano River was named.

The beginning of the twentieth century brought with it a rapid growth and due to the increase in development, North Vancouver was incorporated as a city in 1907.  West Vancouver was not incorporated as a city until March of 1912 and the first election was held shortly after.

The Lions Gate Bridge officially opened in 1938 allowing more development of the North Shore to continue.

When the Grouse Mountain lodge burnt down in the mid 1960’s, the government of British Columbia funded the money to build a new one and keep the tourism alive in the North Shore.  Then the ownership was taken over by the McLaughin family who spent their money to upgrade the lifts and added a theatre to the lodge “The Theatre In The Sky”.

The North shore has now become a large municipality of more than 84,000 combining the mixture of old summer resorts, modern homes, and elaborate waterfront estates.  It is still continuing to grow as a multi-cultural neighbourhood with shops, restaurants, businesses, recreation and entertainment that add to the strength of the economy and the tourist industry.

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