British Columbia’s history is closely tied to the development of industry and resource extraction in western Canada – from fishing to mining, there is no doubt that natural resources have been a driving force in shaping the province we’ve come to know today. Forestry is perhaps one of the most iconic industries in B.C., and today we’re focusing on the extensive photographic collection of MacMillan Bloedel Ltd., once considered one of the largest forest products companies in the world. Over 2500 photos document the history of the company, and of logging in the province over the course of the 20th century.
Logger with tree stump, ca. 1925
Topping a Hemlock tree, 1947
MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. began in 1909, at which time it was known as the Powell River Paper Company Ltd. Operating throughout Canada, the U.S. and overseas, MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. produced products ranging from newsprint, paper, and lumber to panelboard and containers.
Forest wardens replanting seedlings, 1948
Loading logs at Cameron Division, 1965
This collection provides a fascinating look at the lumber industry from its earliest beginnings, offering a glimpse of the changing technologies and the many peoples who built their lives and livelihoods around forestry work.
Faculty of Forestry at University of Toronto, 1912
Logging crane crew, 1942
A fine balance! Truck crossing over Douglas Fir bridge, ca. 1949
Be sure to check out more images from the MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. collection – click here to explore more photos via Open Collections!
