James Alexander Walker

British Columbia Land Surveyor James Alexander Walker (1887–1959) started surveys in the upper Fraser River area in 1912. In 1913 and 1914, he surveyed within the three-mile land reserve on the Fraser near McBride, subdividing the country into 40-acre tracts. That year 80,000 acres of land was opened by the provincial government. Walker reported that “a great rush resulted, about 175 pre-emptions having been filed upon. All summer clearing land and building cabins have been the chief industries in the valley. A splendid type of settlers, by far the majority of whom are English-speaking, has come in. There are no Indians in the valley from Tête Jaune Cache to the Fort George Indian reserves.”

Walker was born on August 6, 1887 to Mary Milne and Peter Walker in Scotland. Educated as a civil engineer, J. Alexander owned and operated the firm J. Alexander Walker and Associates and later with W.E. Graham at Walker and Graham. He was known as the “Engineer-Secretary” and served as the executive director of the Vancouver Town Planning Commission from its beginning on February 1, 1926 ,until his retirement on October 30, 1952.

Walker Creek (not “East Fork of Torpy River”) identified in the 1930 and 1953 BC Gazetteers.