Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Establishes Smithers as Divisional Headquarters

The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway decided to establish Smithers as its divisional headquarters back in 1913. This decision meant a lot for the area, marking it as a key spot for the railway's operations. The actual construction of the town of Smithers started the following year, in 1914.

They laid out the town in a grid pattern, which was a pretty standard approach for railway towns back then. The main street, which you can still see today, was designed to run parallel to the railway tracks. This layout made it easy for people and goods to move between the town and the trains.

The name "Smithers" comes from Alfred Smithers, who was the Chairman of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway's Board of Directors at the time. So, the town essentially carries the name of one of the railway's top leaders.

Before Smithers was established, the area was known as a place where prospectors and trappers worked. The railway's arrival changed all of that, bringing in new people and industries. The railway didn't just build tracks; it built communities around them.

The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway itself was a massive project, aiming to connect eastern Canada with the Pacific coast. Establishing divisional headquarters like Smithers was crucial for managing such a vast network, providing maintenance facilities, crew changes, and administrative support along the line. This town was one of those vital hubs in that grand plan.