History
Originally Taylor Flats, the District of Taylor has been a part of the Peace Region for over ninety years. In 1896, Donald Herbert Taylor (Herbie), Taylor's namesake, moved west and took up a homestead at the Peace River Crossing (Peace River, AB) where he married Charlotte. Then in 1905 they moved to Hudson's Hope where he had taken a job as a factor for the Hudson's Bay Co. It was 1912 when Herbie, Charlotte and their children moved back down the river and were the first family to settle on the Flats. Herbie was a ferryman and trapper who maintained a Peace River crossing for fur traders, prospectors and homesteaders heading for the north. He also made a living by carving paddles and playing his fiddle for dances. Herbie and Charlotte lived in Taylor for the rest of their lives.
It wasn't long after the Taylor family settled on the Flats before others joined them and the debate over what to call the Flats began. Another Flats settler, Robert (Bob) Barker thought it should be called Barker Flats and would post a "BARKER FLATS" sign when Herbie was gone to his trap lines. When Bob was away, Herbie would post a "TAYLOR FLATS" sign. Herbie, however, won this little debate in 1923 when a Post Office was opened on the Taylor's farm and the Flat officially became Taylor.
Taylor celebrates the role prospectors played in developing the region annually with the World's Invitational Gold Panning Championships that are held the long weekend in August. In addition, Taylor is proud to have the Church of the Good Shepherd, built by volunteers in 1932, as a special heritage site. For a more in-depth look at Taylor's history, "Remembering Taylor" can be purchased at the District Office.
Taylor's History
1912
Taylor's namesake Herbie Taylor was often seen taking a risk crossing the Peace River on ice in the spring. Once the ice began to break up, the river could be flowing freely within an hour! A favorite annual event was betting on when the ice would go out.
1919
Education came in 1919 when everyone pitched in and built a 16 x 24 foot log schoolhouse known as the Taylor Flats School. It was the first school north of the Peace River in British Columbia.
1920's
The D.A. Thomas 1916-1929 was the first and largest sternwheeler steamboat on the Peace. It carried 160 passengers and offered hot and cold running water and electricity! Pure luxury in those days.
1932
The Church of the Good Shepherd was built by Otto Hoffstrom, his neighbours and friends as a memorial to the Hoffstrom's four young daughters who drowned when their car rolled off the ferry.
1942
The Alaska Highway was built in just eight months to secure a northern military outpost in case of a Japanese invasion following the attack on Pearl Harbour. At the peak of construction, 11,500 troops, 7,500 civilians and 11,000 pieces of equipment worked on this great engineering achievement.
The Alcan Ferry was built to help transport the American army while the bridge was under construction. The ferry service served as a vital link connecting the north and South.
1943
The Peace River Suspension Bridge celebrated its grand opening nine months after construction began. It was the longest bridge on the highway at 2,130 feet.
1957
The first rail trestle bridge was constructed across the Peace River- with the first rail crossing taking place in May of 1958.
The Peace River Suspension bridge collapsed spectacularly on October 16th. Fortunately there were no injuries suffered.
Industry first moved into Taylor with the construction of the Westcoast Energy pipeline and the Taylor Refinery. Currently, the site of the Spectra Energy Gas Plant.
1958
The Village of Taylor "officially" came into being with the granting of Letters Patent by the provincial government. Members of the first town Commission were: Bob Wheatley, Chairman; Commissioners Glen Kyllo, Paul Hill, Sam Miller and Tony von Hollen.
1960's
Construction of the new Peace River Bridge completed. Construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam was completed in 1966 - thus controlling the flows on the Peace River.
1972
The first World's Invitational Gold Panning Championships was held. An annual event that currently provides for a Class "A" World Champion but also involves a variety of classes for the non-professionals, media and celebrities. Other pioneering activities such as bannock baking, claim staking, metal detecting, horseshoes, etc. are still very popular.
1979
The wooden trestle leading to the Peace River Rail Bridge was destroyed by a fire set by vandals.
1989
The Village of Taylor became the District of Taylor through the re-issuance of Letters Patent by the Provincial Government. Members of Council were: Mayor Fred Jarvis; Alderman Darrel Orosz, Bob Velie, Tony von Hollen and Roy Blackwood.
1993
The award winning District Ice centre with arena and leisure ice pad opens.
1995
The District opens up its 3.5 million-dollar 18-hole championship golf course, the Lone Wolf Golf Club.
1997
The District wins the provincial Communities in Bloom Competition with the maximum possible rating of 5 blooms. This enables entry into the national Communities in Bloom competition in the subsequent year.
1998
The District places 2nd in the National Communities in Bloom Competition.
The Peace River is designated as a B.C. Heritage River due to the significant part it has played in the development of the province.
2000
The District's millennium project, a memorial garden and cenotaph is completed and dedicated. Inscribed in the cenotaph is a special dedication as follows: With special commemoration to the dedication and sacrifices made by the 341st Engineers of the U.S. Army corps of Engineers stationed at Taylor during the construction of the Alaska-Canada Highway in 1942.
2001
The District opens the doors of its newest multi-purpose facility- a community hall/gymnasium designed as a "build with wood" project in support of the lumber industry in the region.
2005
New expansion area at Peace Island Park is opened with electrical hook-ups, a new playground and a parking area for the boat launch.
The Rocky Mountain Ranger Forts open up to the public for the first time.