A Historical Atlas: Harris Fonds in Context

The earliest maps in the R. C. Harris fonds date from 1778 and largely include maps of the BC Interior and Pacific Northwest. Most of his research focused on the Royal Engineers from 1771-1871, but information on the Hudson’s Bay Company trails, as well as early mining routes, are also an extensive part of the collection. His maps often include both First Nations and HBSC routes in tandem with modern trails. Using his own legend, Harris often drew in railway beds, HBC trails, old cattle roads as well as modern trail routes. As Bev Ramey, Director of the Vancouver Natural History Society states:

My understanding was that Bob wanted to encourage people to get outdoors in BC, and explore its many back-country areas, and with awareness of this history of the area, especially who had ‘built’ or surveyed the trails previously…

These maps were produced both for public interest, and in preparation for one of Bob Harris’s guided hikes. He led trips for the Vancouver Natural History Society and North Shore Hikers, often providing his own maps or annotated versions of topographical charts. Some were included in his articles for BC Outdoors, as well as his published work Best of BC’s Hiking Trails.