Park Residence
William James Park (1880-1964) was a pioneering resident of Pitt Meadows, arriving here in 1905 and eventually starting the Park Dairy farm. He purchased the land for his house and farm from the Harris family (after they pre-emptied the land). This house was built by William James Park and his wife, Mary Agnes Park (1888-1979). He was the first municipal clerk at incorporation in 1914 and was Reeve for four years in the early 1920’s and again from 1934 thru 1947, he was a school trustee through the 1930's, he was one of the founders of the Fraser Valley Milk Producers Association in 1917. Built in 1929, it is associated with William James Park. Until 2016, it was continuously owned by the Park family. This property is historically significant for its association with the development of the Lougheed Highway, the provision of direct road access through Pitt Meadows in the 1930's, and the vibrant agricultural economy. Built as a Depression era make-work project, the Lougheed Highway had a significant regional impact as part of an expanded road network that linked Vancouver east to the Fraser Valley and south to the United States, facilitating the movement of goods and people. This improved road access benefited the Pitt Meadows economy substantially during the depression years, as may be seen in the boom in local construction. The first photograph features William James Park alongside his wife Mary Agnes Park (nee: McMyn) c.1910, and the second photograph is of their home.
Details:
Latitude: 49.2305163778548
Longitude: -122.68487330664
Direct Link: https://www.pittmeadowsmuseum.com/locations/park-residence
