What do lacrosse, a prison, and a paddlewheeler have in common?

We've come into the rainy season here - it's been pouring since Tuesday, so we've avoided going outside any more than we absolutely need to.  Luckily, I'm behind on my posts, so this is photos from last weekend's excursion to New Westminster.

 
New Westminster, on the banks of the Fraser River, is the oldest city in B.C., started in 1859, and was the first provincial capital of B.C.

 
It is home to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, where you can learn all about the sport (it started out as a native religious tribal event, which could involve 100 to 1000 men, on a field 500 yards to several miles long, and last for days).  Apparently it's hard to find that many players nowadays, so teams are smaller.

 
This gatehouse is about all that's left of the B.C. Pen, a federal penitentiary.  After a rough history of riots and abuse, it closed in 1980.  The area is now covered in new condo buildings, and the gatehouse is used as a community centre and a pub (with a great view of the river).  The prison graveyard still exists, on the other side of a ravine.

 
The Irving house, where a prominent river boat captain lived, built in 1865.  It was very luxurious in its time, and is very well preserved.

 
The stagecoach specially built for a visit by Governor General Lord Dufferin in 1876, for a trip up along the Fraser river to check out the gold fields.

 
The old Samson V, a paddlewheel boat used to clear the shipping channel of logs and other hazards, and in service until 1980. 

 

 

 
The engine room - hard to imagine a steam powered paddlewheeler still being used so recently! 

 
And the man after whom the Fraser River is named - Simon Fraser. 

A couple of photos of the trees in colour, near our home:

 
This is our view across the alley.

 
And towards the front of our house.  They are almost glowing!  (or rather, were, before the rain)