McMyn Way in Richmond honours three Scottish brothers who settled Lulu Island in the 1880s
The street, connecting No. 3 Road and Corvette Way in the Capstan area, was officially named in 2018 to remember John, William and James McMyn and their contribution to early Richmond.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
McMyn Way in Richmond's Capstan area was officially named on March 26, 2018, to remember three Scottish brothers who were among the city's earliest settlers and helped establish farming on Lulu Island.
In the early 1880s, brothers John, William and James McMyn arrived from Scotland and purchased the eastern half of the Smith and Robson farm in 1883. In 1889, they sold that property and purchased Hector McDonald's farm near Woodward's Landing. James McMyn, the youngest brother, continued to farm there until his death in 1938, raising cattle and pigs and growing crops with his family from the property located at 11340 No. 5 Rd., across from what is now the Richmond RCMP detachment just south of Steveston Highway.
His two brothers eventually moved elsewhere. William went to Maple Ridge to continue farming, while John and his wife retired to Point Grey, according to historical records from Thomas Kidd's "History of Lulu Island And Occasional Poems" and a 1972 interview record preserved by the City of Richmond.
A historic photograph of the McMyn home from 1923 was recently shared on the Friends of the Richmond Archives' Facebook page, capturing the family home during the era when James was actively working the farm. The street connecting No. 3 Road and Corvette Way was chosen to commemorate their legacy and the contributions of all three brothers to Richmond's early development.
At a glance
Where is McMyn Way and what does it connect?
McMyn Way is in Richmond's Capstan area and connects No. 3 Road and Corvette Way.
When was McMyn Way officially named?
McMyn Way was officially named on March 26, 2018.
Who were the McMyn brothers and when did they arrive in Richmond?
John, William, and James McMyn were three Scottish brothers who arrived in the early 1880s and became among Richmond's earliest settlers.
What did the McMyn brothers do on Lulu Island?
After purchasing farms on Lulu Island, the McMyn brothers helped establish farming there. James McMyn farmed at 11340 No. 5 Rd. until his death in 1938, raising cattle and pigs and growing crops.
