Capilano Suspension Bridge Then and Now

We’re old!  One hundred and twenty years to be exact and we’re proud of it   The Capilano Suspension Bridge has changed a lot over the past few decades. From its humble beginnings of a bridge made out of hemp ropes and cedar planks, to one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions.  Here’s a look at some photos of the suspension bridge pioneers who first set out to build a bridge and get over it.  Let’s get to the history lesson.

 It all began when George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer and land developer, arrived in the young city of Vancouver in Canada. He bought and sold farm land in the Okanagan, founding the city of Vernon. Mackay purchased 6,000 acres of dense forest on either side of Capilano River and built a cabin on the very edge of the canyon wall. Assisted by two local natives and a team of horses, Mackay suspended a hemp rope and cedar plank bridge across the river.  The bridge, and Mackay’s cabin, became a popular destination for adventurous friends, dubbed Capilano Tramps (due to the long hike up to the property!)

The land was later purchased by Edward Mahon, who began a mining operation in the Nelson-Slocan area.   In 1910, while in Victoria, 48 year old Mahon met and fell in love with Lilette, the 19 year old daughter of his recently deceased friend, James Rebbeck. Mahon’s love for Lilette was so great that, in order to see her more often, he arranged for Lilette’s mother, Elizabeth D’abbadie Rebbeck, to move to Capilano and manage his bridge property. Mahon’s plan worked – he married Lilette a year later!

The Great War and ensuing years were ones of hardship and loneliness for Elizabeth, until a handsome young forest ranger, 20 years her junior, swept her off her feet! In 1921 “Mac” MacEachran and Elizabeth married. Together Elizabeth and Mac faced the next decade with optimism and energy. Mac was a natural promoter, Elizabeth a gentile hostess. But meager earnings due to the Depression forced Mac to seek employment elsewhere in the off-season and for several winters he managed warehouses in Tahiti for rum-running friends.

In 1934 Mac announced to Elizabeth that he had a 19 year old daughter, Irene, whom he wished to bring to Capilano. This news devastated Elizabeth, who nevertheless agreed to accept Irene. Arrangements were made to build a new and larger house across the street from the bridge but sadly, Elizabeth died before the house was finished.

Mac then purchased the Bridge from Mahon in 1935 and invited local First Nations to place their totem poles in the park, adding a First Nations theme. In 1945, he sold the bridge to Henri Aubeneau and moved to California.

In 1953 Rae Mitchell purchased the bridge property from Henri Aubeneau. A dynamic businessman, Mitchell aggressively promoted his attraction world-wide. Unsure of the 1914 cable strength, he completely rebuilt the bridge in 5 days in 1956, encasing the cables in 13 tons of concrete at either end. He developed the trails on the west side of the bridge and converted the Tea House into the Trading Post Gift Store. But when Mitchell retired, business declined and Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park faced an uncertain future.

Nancy Stibbard believed she could turn Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park around. Since she purchased the complex in 1983, annual attendance has more than quadrupled! And her goal, to elevate the park from a mere stop-off to a destination attraction, was realized in less than ten years.

Since then, we’ve added award winning attractions like the Tree Tops Adventure, Nature’s Cliffboard walk, history and nature tours, special events such as Canyon Lights, the Harvest Festival, and the Jazz Festival.  Although a lot has changed, some things still remain the same.  Capilano Suspension Bridge is still family owned and operated and has worked hard to preserve the Westcoast Rainforest as it was when the bridge was first built.

Photos Courtest of City of Vancouver Archives

Tweet