A Quiet Harbor with a Complex Past
Nestled on the western edge of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, near Garry Point Park, lies Scotch Pond — a peaceful inlet with a remarkable past.
Its calm waters and weathered pilings tell the story of a community built by resilience and craft.
Though the name might suggest Scottish origins, its roots are far more intricate — tied to a local company and a vibrant Japanese Canadian fishing heritage.
Scotch Pond stands today as both a scenic refuge and a historical landmark, quietly preserving the memory of those who worked its shores.
Origins and the Scottish Canadian Company
The name “Scotch Pond” can be misleading. It doesn’t refer to Scottish settlers, but rather to the Scottish Canadian Company, which operated in the early 1900s near the Steveston waterfront.
This company established the area as a moorage site, building docks and small facilities for commercial use.
While there may have been only a handful of fishermen of Scottish descent, the site’s lasting identity came from the people who truly made it thrive — the Japanese Canadian fishing community.
The company’s name survived long after it disappeared, leaving behind a moniker that blended industry, heritage, and misunderstanding.
The Rise of the Japanese Canadian Fishing Community
By the 1910s, Scotch Pond Richmond had become a vibrant fishing harbor for Japanese Canadian fishermen.
They constructed small float houses, net sheds, and mooring docks, transforming the sheltered pond into a vital hub for salmon fishing on the Fraser River.
Families lived and worked side by side, sharing tools, stories, and traditions brought from across the Pacific.
Their skill, dedication, and connection to the water defined not only Scotch Pond but much of Richmond’s early maritime life.
The Impact of War and Displacement
That thriving community came to an abrupt end during World War II.
In 1942, the Canadian government forcibly removed Japanese Canadians from the West Coast, confiscating their property and fishing boats.
The once-busy harbor fell silent as families were sent to internment camps inland.
Scotch Pond, once a symbol of hard work and unity, became an empty echo of lives interrupted and traditions lost — a painful chapter in British Columbia’s coastal history.
Preservation and Restoration Efforts
Decades later, awareness grew about the need to preserve this small but meaningful piece of heritage.
Local advocates — including the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative, led by community members like John Kapp — began restoring the site.
Old structures were stabilized, interpretive signs were installed, and the area was recognized for its cultural and historical value.
Through these efforts, Scotch Pond Richmond British Columbia regained its voice — not as a working harbor, but as a place of remembrance and education.
A Natural Haven Reclaimed
Today, Scotch Pond is quiet again, but in a gentler way.
Eagles soar above the tidal flats, herons hunt along the shore, and the old pilings stand as markers of history.
The pond is a favorite spot for walkers, photographers, and history enthusiasts exploring Steveston’s waterfront trails.
Here, the past lingers softly — in the creak of wood, the scent of salt air, and the stillness of reflection.
Connected to a Larger Story
Scotch Pond forms part of Richmond’s broader heritage landscape, linking directly to Garry Point Park, Britannia Shipyards, and Steveston Village.
Together, these sites tell the story of a multicultural community shaped by the sea — Indigenous, Japanese, European, and more.
The pond, though small in scale, represents a much larger narrative of migration, industry, and resilience.
It is one of those rare places where history, culture, and landscape meet seamlessly.
Honoring Memory Through Education
Today, the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative continues to share stories of the site’s origins and the people who made it thrive.
Educational walks, community events, and online archives ensure that the truth of its history — including the contributions of Japanese Canadians and the origins of its name — remains alive for future generations.
The preservation of Scotch Pond is not only about protecting land, but about reclaiming voices once silenced.
It serves as a lesson in remembrance, reconciliation, and respect.
In Reflection
The history of Scotch Pond in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, is a story of labor, loss, and legacy.
From its beginnings under the Scottish Canadian Company to its life as a Japanese Canadian fishing harbor, it has weathered both prosperity and pain.
Today, it endures as a place of peace and understanding — a living memorial to those who built Richmond’s maritime heritage with courage and care.
Scotch Pond remains a quiet symbol of how truth and restoration can heal even the most forgotten shores.
Beautiful photos, unfortunately the “Scotch Pond” is a misnomer. Its name is derived from the Scottish Canadian company” that existed early part of the 1900s. In over a hundred years there may have been 2 fisherman with Scottish descent that had any involvement in the area. The primary group were of Japanese descent. If you would like further information about the Scotch Pond feel free to contact me: John Kapp president Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative.
Thanks so much for the clarification, John. I’ve updated my post to reflect that “Scotch Pond” takes its name from the Scottish Canadian Cannery (1899) and that the pond itself was dredged in the 1950s by the Canadian Fishing Company. I’ve also added context about the Japanese Canadian community’s central role in the area (including boatbuilding at the head of the slough) and the earlier Musqueam presence. I appreciate your work with the Scotch Pond Heritage Cooperative and would be glad to include any additional sources you recommend.