Coquitlam History
Riverview Hospital opened in 1913 as the Essondale Branch of the Provincial Hospital for the Insane on 1,000 acres in Coquitlam. BC's flagship mental health institution for most of the 20th century. Home to one of Canada's most significant arboreta (established 1911 by John Davidson, BC's first Provincial Botanist). Most facility closed by 2012; lands held by the Province under the 'Renewing Riverview' redevelopment plan.
Quick Answer
What should you know about Riverview Hospital Coquitlam History?
Riverview Hospital opened in 1913 as the Essondale Branch of the Provincial Hospital for the Insane on 1,000 acres in Coquitlam. BC Craig Johnston, Top 1% Team Member — Greater Vancouver REALTORS® and 47+ year Tri-Cities resident, can walk you through the local context. Free Strategy Call ends with a written one-page plan in 24 hours.
Verified facts · Coquitlam History
Land purchased
1904 — 1,000 acres
Construction begins
1909
Hospital opens
1913 (as Essondale Branch of the Provincial Hospital for the Insane)
Namesake
Dr. Esson Young — Provincial Secretary & Minister of Education
Arboretum
Established 1911 by John Davidson, BC's first Provincial Botanist
Peak capacity
Thousands of beds in mid-20th century
Decline
1960s-2004 — anti-psychotics, deinstitutionalization
Final operations
Hospital largely closed by 2012
Future plan
BC Housing's 2015 'A Vision for Renewing Riverview' — housing for mentally ill + Indigenous housing
Other use
Frequently used for film productions
Coquitlam History · Real estate connection
Riverview is one of Coquitlam's largest contiguous green spaces. The arboretum, heritage buildings, and adjacency to ƛ̓éxətəm (formerly Colony Farm) create a unique landscape feature. The eventual residential redevelopment will reshape this part of Coquitlam materially.
A 47-year Coquitlam resident and licensed REALTOR® at The MACNABS, Royal LePage Elite West. The local context that makes the numbers make sense.
Tri-Cities monthly
April 2026 Coquitlam detached HPI is $1,635,700, -7.7% YoY. What that means for your buy or sell decision — without the salesy fluff. One email per month. Unsubscribe anytime.
No spam, no listings flood, no marketing automation games. Genuine monthly update from a 47+ year Tri-Cities resident.