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Annieville Cannery

Cannery buildings in the distance with the Fraser River in the foreground.

Ewen and Co.’s Annieville Cannery near New Westminster, 1887. William McFarlane Notman, Image  VIEW-1781 courtesy of McCord Museum.

Fish canning in British Columbia started at Annieville Cannery in 1870.

1870-1940s

49°10’36.9″N 122°54’54.8″W

Annieville Cannery was the first fish cannery built in British Columbia. It was established in June 1870 by Alexander Loggie & Co, founded by Alexander Ewen, James Wise, Alexander Loggie and David Hennessey.

The cannery was built on the Fraser River across from New Westminster. In the first season 30,000 1-lb cans of salmon were exported to England. Alexander Ewen also processed lower quality fish in a saltery on the site.

Operations continued into the 1940s. Today a commemorative sign marks the site where the cannery once stood.

Interior view of a cannery with can loft and machinery visible.

Interior of Ewen & Co. (Annieville) Salmon Cannery, near New Westminster, BC, 1887. Image VIEW1783 courtesy of the McCord Museum

Buildings sit on a recently cleared hill, dirt road curves along the river bank.

Annieville Cannery and River Road, North Delta, 1905. New Westminster is visible across the Fraser River. Image 2008-005-001 courtesy of the Delta Museums and Archives.

Chinese men butcher fish inside a cannery. Salmon is piled on the floor by their feet.

Chinese men cutting fish at the Annieville Cannery, 1905. Image 1980-052-173 courtesy of the Delta Museum and Archives