The First Home in Vancouver

With the opportunity to "pre-empt" land in Western Canada for $1 to $2 per acre, in April 1863, Irishmen Mr. Fitzgerald McCleery and Mr. Samuel McCleery became the first settlers in Vancouver when they constructed the first dwelling and operating farm on the river bank of the North Arm of the Fraser River.

The modest cabin was built of lumber floated down the river from nearby mills. The McCleery cabin was later referred to as St. Patrick's Cathedral as it served as the local church to a variety of parishioners. A larger McCleery farmhouse would be built farther back from the river later on, followed by a second house on higher land overlooking the river. Before demolition in 1956, it was known as 6750 MacDonald Street.

Assisted by Mr. Hugh McRoberts of McRoberts Island, now Sea Island, the McCleery brothers cut the first trail from New Westminster to the Musqueam village at Point Grey - a total of twelve miles. The trail was named North Arm Road and later became present day Marine Drive, East and West.

The McCleerys are the ancestors of the firm's original founder.

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