Prince Rupert in North Coast, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

Prince Rupert B. C.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 14, 2026

1. Prince Rupert B. C. Marker

Inscription.
"Canada's friendliest little city!"
Global location 54°19′ N 130°21′ W
In 1902 Charles Melville Hays [missing text] promoting a second Trans-Canada Railway, "The Grand Trunk Pacific" (now CN). Kaien Island was chosen by surveyors as the most [missing text] site for "The New Pacific Coast City".

The G.T.P. Railway sponsored a competition to name the new city with a $250. prize. 12,000 entries were submitted & the award was made on the 9th Feb. 1906 to Miss Eleanor M. MacDonald of Winnipeg.

Prince Rupert, cousin of King Charles II was the first Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, a true British-Canadian pioneer.

8th May 1908 saw the first sod turned to mark the beginning of construction eastward of the G.T.P Railway. At this time Prince Rupert with a population of 200 was mainly a tent town. Prince Rupert was incorporated as a city on the 10th of March in 1910.

Charles Hays lost his life in the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912.

The federal government declared "Prince Rupert" a public harbour in 1912 & the railroad was completed on April 7th 1914. Prince Rupert is one of the worlds

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finest natural deep sea harbours, a year round ice-free port with a minimum main channel depth of 35 metres.

Population 17,000

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1912.

Location. 54° 18.428′ N, 130° 19.833′ W. Marker is in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, in North Coast. It is on Summit Avenue 0.4 kilometers south of Taylor Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in Totem Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Prince Rupert BC V8J 1V4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern BC.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Franklin D. Roosevelt Park (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line); Former Federal Building/City Hall

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 14, 2026

2. Prince Rupert B. C. Marker

(approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Charles Melville Hays (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Lieutenant Colonel Cyrus Wesley Peck, VC, DSO & Bar (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Kwinitsa Railway Museum (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Mother Grey Whale and Calf (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Pillsbury House (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); MacKenzie Furniture Ltd. (approx. one kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prince Rupert.

Grizzly Bear Pole at Totem Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 14, 2026

3. Grizzly Bear Pole at Totem Park

Grizzly Bear Pole Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 14, 2026

4. Grizzly Bear Pole Marker

Recarved by William Jeffrey, the original of this pole came from the Haida Village of Yan on the Queen Charlotte Islands.
Figures on this pole (from bottom) are grizzly bear, supernatural grizzly with frog in mouth, 2 bear cubs, bear mother and grizzly with three skils.
Poles were raised as a public record or document of some important event.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.