A new book traces Steveston’s history from 1859 to 2026

Steveston Revisited: 1859-2026, a new book by outgoing Richmond Coun. Bill McNulty, is now available to the public. With extensive illustrations, it follows the neighbourhood’s transformation from a 19th-century settlement into the vibrant waterfront community it is today, spanning more than 165 years. It traces Steveston’s beginnings as a hub for the salmon canning industry, its growth as a gathering place for Indigenous, Japanese Canadian, Chinese Canadian and European settler communities, and its ongoing evolution as a destination for residents and visitors.

The book includes more than 100 previously unseen images, along with historical records and personal accounts, documenting the resilience, culture and community spirit that have shaped the area across generations. Steveston is working to preserve its historic character while adapting to growth and change along Richmond’s waterfront. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery, a National Historic Site, remains a touchstone of that history as the surrounding area continues to evolve.

The City of Richmond Archives helped bring the book to life by providing historical photographs, records and documents. Dammy Ogunseitan, the City’s director of communications and marketing, said the Archives was essential to the book. She said she was pleased to see the City’s historical collections used to tell Steveston’s story and the Archives help preserve and share that history with the community.

In the acknowledgements, McNulty thanked the Steveston Community Society for access to its files and photographs, the City of Richmond Archives for research assistance, and the many people he interviewed while writing the book. Steveston Revisited: 1859-2026 is available through its author, Coun. Bill McNulty.