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Online Heritage Inventory

Brighouse Homestead & Heritage Trees

General Information
Thumbnail photograph of Brighouse Homestead & Heritage Trees
Click to see full image
Type of Resource: Landscape
Common Name: Brighouse Homestead & Heritage Trees
Address: 6900 River Road
Neighbourhood (Planning Area Name): City Centre
Construction Date: c. 1870-early 1900s
Current Owner: Private
Designated: Yes

Statement of Significance
Description of Site
The Brighouse Homestead site includes the remains of significant tree planting which provide an outline of the original homestead pattern. The site fronts River Road, with a view to the river, and trees that remain represent only a portion of those on the original 600 acre property. The site has been developed and contains a diverse number of land uses, mostly light industrial.

 Statement of Values
The tree planting that remains on the Brighouse Homestead site reflects the original pattern of English Oak, European Ash, and Scotch Pine that was laid out in a grid pattern typical of Richmond’s agricultural development. The original plant material on the Brighouse land represented a unique and significant collection of European trees planted by Sam Brighouse, a prominent early pioneer and landowner in Richmond in the late 1800’s. In an era of pioneering in north America, the tree seedlings he brought over from England represent a connection to the familiar landscapes of that country. The Brighouse Homestead was one of the large farms that were located on the Middle Arm at the turn of the century, and is representative of other early settlers and farmers in this area of the Middle Arm at that time.

 Character Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include:
· The remains of the distinct tree planting completed by Sam Brighouse in and around his homestead, part of a unique collection of a number of different species brought over from Europe
· The remains of agricultural grid patterns, clustered woodlots, and perimeter planting that once existed around the homestead which reflect the original land use and layout of the Brighouse farm
· The view from the homestead site north to the Middle Arm and the north shore mountains

 History
The Brighouse Homestead site includes the remains of significant tree planting which provide an outline of the original homestead pattern. The site fronts River Road, with a view to the river, and trees that remain represent only a portion of those on the original 600 acre property. The site has been developed and contains a diverse number of land uses, mostly light industrial.

 Architectural Significance
(No information available)

 Landscape Significance
Landscape Element
Cultural landscape

 Design Attributes
The remaining trees on the Brighouse homestead site are located along the west side of Gilbert Road, River Road, and Hollybridge Way. There are also trees located along an internal driveway at 6500 River Road, and a large clump to the west of Gilbert Road near the CPR tracks. All of these tree patterns correspond to historical airphotos of the Brighouse homestead. These photographs show heavily treed areas around the perimeter of what is now Lot 10, with an internal grid of trees, and a large woodlot area in the south east corner of Lot 10. As well, there are vegetation patterns associated with the homestead buildings on the site, providing a marked contrast with the surrounding agricultural fields. This vegetation represents the remnants of the original land use patterns and site development of the Brighouse homestead, as well as being the remains of a large collection of tree species belonging to, and planted by, Samuel Brighouse. It is also a physical document in the landscape of the immense changes that have occurred in this area over the past 50 or 60 years.

 Integrity
Alterations
The Brighouse homestead site has changed drastically over the years. The development of the city has obliterated all or most of the land use and early development patterns that defined the past agricultural landscape. Traces of the trees planted by Sam Brighouse are all that remains of the original homestead landscape.

 Original Location
Yes

 Condition
According to the arborist’s report, some of the trees on the site are in decline. Correct assessment of the condition of the remaining trees would also require an arborist.

 Lost
No

 Documentation
Evaluated By
Denise Cook, BLA, PBD (Public History)

 Date
Tuesday, January 15, 2002

 Documentation
Documents
Article/photograph re Samuel Brighouse in Richmond Reflections, no date, Richmond Archives.
DMG Landscape Architects Aboriculture Field Review, 1998.
Geisen, JL. Historical research notes, 1991, Parks and Leisure Services, Richmond BC.
Kidd, Thomas. History of Lulu Island and Occasional Poems, Wrigley Printing Company Ltd., 1927.
Memorandum from Elizabeth Eso, Municipal Archivist, dated August 27, 1985.
Richmond Heritage Inventory Phase II, Tree Inventory, 1988.
Ross, Leslie. Richmond, Child of the Fraser, Richmond ’79 Centennial Society, 1979.
Samuel Brighouse Reference Files, Richmond Archives.
Township of Richmond Report to Council dated May 23, 1900, Richmond Planning Department.
Historical Photographs
Aerial photograph No. A5984-92 dated 1938, Geographic Information Centre, UBC.
Location and Type of Plans Found
Map of Brighouse Industrial Estates 1976. Location #5233, Richmond Archives.
Municipality Sheets of Richmond 1925. Misc. Planning Department Maps, MR SE 520, Richmond Archives.
Waterworks Atlas Map, 1936. Municipal Records, Item #1991 40 7 Richmond Archives

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