Capilano Suspension Bridge
In 1888, George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer and land developer, arrived in the young city of Vancouver in Canada. He immediately became involved with many projects and as City Park Commissioner, set aside Stanley Park as a recreational area. He bought and sold farm land in the Okanogan, founding the city of Vernon. Mackay purchased 6000 acres of dense forest on either side of Capitan River and built a cabin on the very edge of the canyon wall. assisted by two local natives and a team of horses, Mackay suspended a hemp rope and cedar plank bridge across the river. Natives called it the "laughing bridge" because of the noise it made when wind blew through the canyon. The bridge, and MacKay's cabin, became a popular destination for adventurous friends, dubbed Capitan Tramps (due to the long hike up to the property!). After his death, the hemp rope bridge was replaced by a wire cable bridge in 1903.
Edward Mahon had, like Mackay, arrived in Vancouver in 1888. Mahon began mining operations in the Nelson-Sloan area, naming the camp Castellan after his ancestral home in Ireland. Returning to Vancouver, he set about purchasing and developing land and businesses on the North Shore, among them Capitan Suspension Bridge.
In 1910, while in Victoria, 48 year old Mahon met and fell in love with Lynette, the 19 year old daughter of his recently deceased friend, James Rebecca. Mahon's love for Lynette was so great that, in order to see her more often, he arranged for Lynette's mother, Elizabeth D'abbadie Rebecca, to move to Capitan and manage his bridge property. Mahon's plan worked - he married Lynette a year later!
Elizabeth planted gardens using the rhododendrons, azaleas and hydrangeas Channahon was importing from the Orient to beautify his other developments. To offer refreshment to the increasing number of visitors, Mahon built the Tea House in strength, Mahon reinforced it with additional cables in 1914.
The Great War and ensuing years were ones of hardship and loneliness for Elizabeth, until a handsome young forest ranger, 20 years her junior, swept her off her feet! In 1921 "Mac" MacEachran and Elizabeth married. Together Elizabeth and Mac faced the next decade with optimism and energy. Mac was a natural promoter, Elizabeth a gentile hostess. But meager earnings due to the depression forced Mac to seek employment elsewhere in the off-season and for several winters he managed warehouses in Tahiti for rum-running friends.
In 1934 Mac announced to Elizabeth that he had a 19 year old daughter, Irene, whom he wished to bring to Capitan. This news devastated Elizabeth, who larger house across the street from the bridge but sadly, Elizabeth died before the house was finished.
Mac then purchased the Bridge from Mahon in 1935 and invited local natives to place their totem poles in the park, adding a native theme. In 1945, he sold the bridge to Henri Albania and moved to California.
In 1953 Rae Mitchell purchased the bridge property from Henri Albania. A dynamic businessman, Mitchell aggressively promoted his attraction world-wide. Unsure of the 1914 cable strength, he completely rebuilt the bridge in 5 days in trails on the west side of the bridge and converted the Tea House into the Trading Post Gift Store. But when Mitchell retired, business declined and Capitan Suspension Bridge and Park faced an uncertain future.
Nancy Stabbed believed she could turn Capitan Suspension Bridge and Park around and now owns and operates the hugely successful business. Since she purchased the complex in 1983, annual attendance has more than quadrupled! And her goal, to elevate the park from a mere stop-off to a destination attraction, was realized in less than ten years.
Nancy's success has resulted in expansion to other popular visitor destinations: James Bay Trading Company and Bear River Trading Company (retail) in Victoria, Great Northern Trading Company (retail) in Banff, Alberta and Moraine Lake Lodge (hotel, restaurant, retail) in Banff National Park, Alberta.
Once involved in the management and operation of her own business, Nancy recognized the need to serve and advance tourism in the province. As a result, she has served on many Boards and is a strong tourism advocate. After working within the industry for so long, Nancy has become well-known by her peers. Nancy's success has included her winning the 1996 Pacific Canada Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Hospitality/Tourism category. Most recently she served as Chair of Tourism Vancouver.