cassiar cannery is located on british columbia’s north coast, within tsymsyen territory, just 30 minutes south of prince rupert and 15 minutes by road from highway 16. grocery stores, services, and hospital care are 30 minutes away, while direct access by road, rail, and ocean ensures rare connectivity for a remote coastal estate. the property fronts inverness passage within the skeena river estuary at mile marker 79.63 on the cn skeena sub and is a recognized via rail station. guests can book passage directly to cassiar cannery, the only formal train stop in port edward.
where the skeena river meets the pacific, cassiar cannery rests at the edge of wilderness and history. once alive with the rhythms of a working salmon cannery, this 74-acre waterfront estate now offers a quieter story—of heritage carefully preserved, of wildlife returning to restored habitats, and of life lived in harmony with the tides. with one kilometre of oceanfront, historic homes reborn as guest houses, and sweeping views of the estuary, cassiar is both sanctuary and stage: a place where past and future meet, and where visionaries are invited to write the next chapter of its remarkable story.
heritage and history
established in the 1889, cassiar cannery became the longest consecutively operating salmon cannery on the west coast. cassiar cannery packed salmon from 1903 to 1983 as the last operating skeena cannery. generations lived and worked here, shaping a community defined by resilience and connection to the sea. today, its spirit endures in restored homes, original architecture, and preserved landscapes. for those drawn to heritage, cassiar is not simply a property, but a living landmark of british columbia’s maritime past.
the property
spanning 74 acres on both sides of the rail line, with 20 to 30 acres of usable land, cassiar offers 1 kilometre of low-bank waterfront, half a kilometre of road frontage, and a 2.53 hectare foreshore lease. the site also holds a 4 to 5 acre wharf and expansive natural habitat. wildlife flourishes at cassiar herons, gulls, sandpipers, and eagles soar overhead, salmon and seals travel the estuary, and bears, deer, and wolves roam free along wildlife corridors. more than 500 plant species have been catalogued on the estate, making cassiar part of a recognized biological hotspot. over the past decade, the cannery has supported extensive research into the salt marsh and mudflats, underscoring its importance as a potential biosphere.
residences and guest houses
five former cannery manager homes remain, with four carefully restored and adapted as guest houses, providing turnkey accommodation and income potential. one is used as a principal residence and one as a utility building. each blends period character with modern comforts, inviting guests into an authentic yet livable heritage experience.
event and commercial buildings
the original general store has been restored and reimagined as a versatile event space, equipped to host gatherings, retreats, and cultural programming. a 10,000 square foot blast freezer building, constructed in 1979 on deep piles, offers substantial additional potential. with open-span storage on the upper floor and a concrete workshop below, it could be modernized to support small-scale fisheries, light industry, or further event and hospitality ventures.
waterfront and dock
cassiar cannery includes a 2.53-hectare foreshore lease and substantial dock infrastructure. while requiring upkeep, the dock footprint represents invaluable capacity for future use, from marine access to tourism, transportation, or research.
licenses and tenures
the estate holds a renewed commercial foreshore lease until 2032, tenure over water system areas, and historically one of the province’s largest water licenses (four million litres per day across three creeks, second largest in bc). mining tenure from 1890 remains in place, excluding gold and silver. an industrial effluent permit is also registered.
lifestyle and environment
cassiar cannery is defined by stewardship and connection to place. restored habitats have brought over 75 bird species back to the estuary, alongside herons, gulls, sandpipers and bald eagles. a slower pace of life unfolds here: fishing, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife observation all begin at the shoreline. the property has become a cultural and environmental hub, supported by a strong online presence, including nearly 14,000 facebook followers and 2,400 instagram followers.
recognition and awards
cassiar cannery has been widely recognized for its unique offering:
canadian hidden gem – globe and mail
top 10 unusual places to overnight in bc – destination bc
top 40 glamping destinations (1 of 4 in canada) – comfortably wild by honeytrek
tourism and accommodation excellence – tourism prince rupert
best wilderness accommodation in bc – luxlife
best wilderness guest houses in northern bc – luxlife
women’s wilderness retreat of the year – luxlife
best wilderness & scientific wilderness retreat in western canada – north american business awards
potential industrial/commercial use
the cassiar cannery property has an incredible amount of industrial/commercial use potential. the property has 500 metres of road frontage on skeena road and over 1 km of railroad frontage with the cn rail line that runs through the property. with its own registered stop and private crossing (mile marker 79.63 on the cn skeena sub), the property sits on direct rail access to the port of prince rupert, vancouver, and eastern canada. the vast majority of the property is untouched with logging/forestry opportunities. the property also previously held a license for bottling water that could be re-instated. with its own dam and licensed water source, premium quality water is another commercial possibility. the foreshore lease and existing permitted dock infrastructure provide the potential for marine businesses or marine access for commercial use. the property also has excellent potential for an ecotourism business/retreat centre year-round.
investment and potential
opportunities at cassiar cannery are as vast as the estuary it fronts. the property lends itself to heritage conservation, boutique tourism, eco-lodging, cultural retreats, or as a singular private estate. with usable land, extensive buildings, foreshore tenure, and rail, road, and ocean access, cassiar is uniquely positioned to evolve while maintaining its legacy.
cassiar cannery is more than an estate; it is a living story. it captures the heritage of a bygone era, the beauty of untouched wilderness, and the potential for an extraordinary future. rarely does a property combine history, lifestyle, natural wonder, and commercial potential at this scale. cassiar cannery is an invitation to steward a landmark, preserve its ecological and cultural richness, and shape its next chapter.
