Abbotsford: A City Named for a Railway Pioneer

By Jenny Holly Hansen | WBN News | May 9, 2025

The city of Abbotsford, now a thriving urban centre in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, has deep roots tied to the development of transportation and trade in Western Canada. While today it is recognized for its agriculture, growing population, and strategic location, the origins of its name are a quiet tribute to one of the many figures who helped shape its early growth: Harry Braithwaite Abbott, a railway official with the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Who Was Harry Braithwaite Abbott?

Harry Abbott served as the western superintendent for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in the late 19th century. During this time, the CPR was more than a transportation enterprise—it was a nation-building project. The railway’s expansion across the Prairies and into British Columbia played a pivotal role in connecting isolated communities, encouraging settlement, and stimulating economic activity.

Abbott was known for his dedication to the growth of British Columbia’s railway infrastructure. His work helped facilitate transportation routes through the Fraser Valley at a time when access was limited and the terrain challenging. His influence and leadership were so significant that when a new settlement emerged along the developing railway line, it was named Abbotsford in his honour.

The Naming of Abbotsford

Though there are some competing theories about the city’s name—one being a possible link to Sir Walter Scott’s estate “Abbotsford” in Scotland—the most widely accepted origin story credits Harry Braithwaite Abbott. This naming was a common practice at the time: as railway lines expanded westward, towns and stops were often named after CPR executives, engineers, or prominent contributors to the company’s mission.

Abbotsford, situated along the CPR’s expanding corridor, became a critical stop for trade, agriculture, and migration. As settlers moved westward, the region attracted farmers, entrepreneurs, and eventually, a bustling community.

A Lasting Legacy

While Harry Abbott may not be a household name today, the legacy of railway development lives on in Abbotsford’s infrastructure and layout. The railways helped lay the foundation for the city’s connectivity—first with trains and now with highways, air transport, and cross-border commerce. The Canadian Pacific Railway still operates in the region, a lasting reminder of the city’s transportation roots.

Today, Abbotsford is one of the fastest-growing cities in British Columbia, yet its name quietly preserves a piece of history tied to one man’s role in a broader national story—the linking of Canada from coast to coast through steel rails and bold ambition.

Conclusion

Behind every place name is a story, and Abbotsford’s is one that links transportation, history, and human impact. In honouring Harry Braithwaite Abbott, the city acknowledges the powerful influence that infrastructure—and the people who build it—have on the shape and spirit of a community.

Let’s Keep Talking:

Jenny is a business insurance broker with Waypoint Insurance. With 19 years experience, she will well versed in the technical aspects of business coverages.

She can be reached at 604-317-6755 or jholly-hansen@wbnn.news. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-holly-hansen-365b691b/.  Connect with Jenny at BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jennyhollyhansen.bsky.social

Let’s Meet Up:

Jenny Holly Hansen is a cohost with Chris Sturges of the Langley Impact Networking Group. You are welcome to join us on Thursday’s from 4pm to 6pm at: Sidebar Bar and Grill: 100b - 20018 83A Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3R4

TAGS:  #Jenny Holly Hansen #Harry Braithwaite Abbott # Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)