The Northern BC Archives has over 14 linear meters of textual records, more than 5000 photographs, and other materials on transportation development and its impact on Northern BC. These extensive collections have had little to any scholarly research attention and are full of original research potential. Browse these pages, visit our website, and contact the archives for more information about these collections.

Research Potential: The Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum Collection and the David Davies Railway Collection in particular provide textual, cartographic and photographic evidence of exploratory ventures in BC’s Northern regions. Of significance are rare bodies of records from the early 20th century when entrepreneurs looked to develop transportation links and both provincial and national governments looked to invest in BC’s North in the hopes of economic prosperity and increased settlement. Possible research topics include:

• Examination of changing rail technology
• Analysis of the perceptions and hopes of northern communities at the time
• Examination of changing work conditions in these industries

Image: 2013.6.36.1.139.05 - CNR Northern Line - Nechako Subdivision