Visit the Pitt Meadows Web site for more information. PITT MEADOWS is a thriving community that has many recreational opportunities from parks and playgrounds to canoeing on the many creeks and small rivers that lace the District. The dykes which surround three sides of Pitt Meadows offer further recreational activity for pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. |
The Pitt Meadows area takes its name from the nearby Pitt River which was named in 1824 by Captain James McMillan of the Hudsons Bay Company. At that time, the area was populated solely by the Katzie, members of the Halkomelem people of the lower Fraser River. By the mid 1800s, as an encouragement to new settlers, the government sold land in the area for as little as $1.00 per acre. While speculators made up a large percentage of the purchasers, some agricultural settlers did arrive and by the 1870s a small community had formed. Up until 1885 settlers arrived by boat, using the waterways that surround Pitt Meadows on three of its borders. In 1885, when the CPR line was completed through the area, Pitt Meadows had its first land transportation link. Water based transportation to the area became obsolete in March, 1915 when the first traffic bridge was put in place replacing ferry service across the Pitt River. Pitt Meadows was unincorporated territory until 1881 when it became part of Maple Ridge, but reverted back to territory in 1896 when its land owners petitioned for removal from Maple Ridge due to disputes over dyking. By 1912, area landowners were again petitioning Victoria, this time for the right to form a municipality. On April 23, 1914 their dream was realized and Pitt Meadows became incorporated as a municipality. Today, Pitt Meadows is home to nearly 16,000 residents and farming continues to be a mainstay of the community. The hard work of our early settlers lives on and is evident ninety years later. Our future looks very bright. |