Overview
Colony Farm exists on the traditional territory of the Kwikwetlem people. After the colonization and subjugation of Indigenous peoples took place, and the reserve system was established in the mid-1850s, the Kwikwetlem were granted two small pieces of land, Reserve 1, or slakəyánc, was located just South of what would become Colony Farm in the area where the Coquitlam River meets the Fraser. The ditch around Colony Farm isolated slakəyánc, except for a small path leading into the reserve. The farm buildings and accommodations of Colony Farm were built near to slakəyánc, to the West.
Aerial view of Essondale grounds, Pitt River, and Fraser River, Coquitlam Archives C5.3768
In 1911, John Davidson became BC’s first Provincial Botanist. It was Davidson who to developed the gardens at Essondale. The initial objectives of the site were to study the province’s plants and develop accurate names for them. Much of this work was done by patients at Essondale as part of their occupational therapy.
The garden also contained a nursery that grew trees to be sent to many public places across the province. The gardens, were relocated to UBC in 1916.
Essondale - Construction of main buildings, Westholme Lumber Co. C5-S01-SS01-GN135
Colony Farm, located on the same grounds, was a site of cultivated land that grew food for the hospital. It was overseen by Mr. Charles E. Doherty, the Medical Superintendent of BC. Work on this farm was also done by patients of the hospital. Accommodation was provided in temporary buildings on the site.
In 1920, Colony Farm was recognized as one of the best farms in not only BC, but all of Western Canada. It produced most of the hospital’s food. Pigs and dairy cows were available, as well as a canning facility. Some of the produce grown included grains, pumpkins, turnips, celery, onions, beets, rhubarb, lettuce, and corn.
Collage, Colony Farm - Out buildings and cows, Coquitlam Archives C5-S01-SS01-GN46