It’s 1912, and Canada’s most daring road—a rocky trail through Vancouver Island’s rugged wilderness—gets caught on film.
The Malahat Road wasn’t just a road; it was an engineering dare, a lifeline for farmers, and the stage for the earliest Canadian car footage ever found.
You get to see a royal visit and some other early motoring glory.
Warning: This doc may inspire road trips or at least a nostalgic love for clunky wheels.
Thanks to Curtis Blandy for pointing this out in “Documentary shows rare footage of early automobiles driving on Malahat”
Watch “The Malahat Road 1912 : A Documentary”
You can watch it for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 85/100
- IMDB Rating: na
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na
Release Date: November 15, 2024
Summary of the 1912 Malahat Road Documentary:
Key Individuals
- Dr. Harry Lerner: Researched and wrote the documentary script.
- Steven: Presented the documentary, associated with @flivverchannel.
- Surveyor General Stanhope Farwell: Dismissed the potential of the Malahat route.
- Major John F. McFarland: Conducted an independent survey of the Malahat area and was instrumental in advocating for the route.
- The Duchess of Connaught: Visited the Malahat Road on October 2, 1912.
Historical Details
- Malahat Road: Built near the turn of the century and completed by 1911.
- 1912 Film: A 9-minute film documenting the Duchess’s journey on the Malahat Road. It is the oldest known footage taken from a moving car in Canada.
- Richard McBride’s Conservatives: Political support led to the road’s construction becoming an election issue.
Geographical and Societal Context
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia: Location of the Malahat Road.
- Goldstream and Cowichan Valley: Connected by the road; farmers sought reliable routes for transporting goods.
- Shawnigan Lake and Chemainus: Mentioned as key points in local travel.
Technical and Cultural Highlights
- Road Description:
- Originally a gravel road.
- Praised as “the finest scenic road in British Columbia” in 1912.
- Mentioned in the April 12, 1913 issue of The Week for its stunning panoramas.
- Challenges:
- Twists, turns, and mountainous terrain.
- Safety concerns and recommendations for better signage and patrols.
- Public Reception:
- Royal visits, such as that of the Duchess of Connaught, boosted the road’s profile.
- Tourists noted its beauty and dangers.
Modern Connections
- Viewership and Legacy:
- Footage courtesy of the Canadian Automotive Museum and Library and Archives Canada.
- Comments reflect nostalgia, historical interest, and personal memories tied to the road.
- References to ongoing use and changes in public infrastructure over time.
Cultural Artifacts
- Articles from the The Week newspaper highlighting the significance of the road in tourism and motoring safety.
- Detailed accounts of local agricultural dependencies on Victoria for markets and supplies.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc