This official guide, published in the early 1980's by the Heritage Conservation Branch, Province of British Columbia,  features the text for 133 plaques. It seems to be the brochure that most people are familiar with – though out of date, it may still turn up from time to time. The introduction included below captures some of the thinking behind the provincial Stop of Interest program:

"British Columbia is a province with a rich and vibrant history. The prehistory of the province dates back 10,000 years and archaeological site examination is our only means of recovering the distant past. Our historical period, dating from the mid-1800s, is represented in unique heritage building that display older architectural styles. The result of rapdi urban growth and a constantly changing society has often been the destruction of heritage building. A growing appreciation of our cultural past and awareness of the need to preserve this past has come from many groups of people.

The purpose of the Heritage Conservation Act, passed by the government of British Columbia in 1977, is "to encourage and facilitate the protections and conservation of heritage propery in the province". The Heritage Conservation Branch is charged with the responsibility of co-ordinating government activities in heritage conservation. It administers the Heritage Conservation Act, and also seeks to enhance the public's awareness of heritage through programs of public access, education, and information. One of these is the Stop-of-Interest plaquing program which, as one of the fundamental objectives of historic commemoration, gives everyone an opportunity to reflect on the people and events which have helped mould the heritage shared by citizens of Canada.

We hope that this booklet, showing the texts of Stop-of-Interest laques, will stimulate people further to research into the history of the people and places that have helped fashion this province. By joining and lending advice and support to heritage programs through your municipal heritage advisory committee, you can become involved in British Columbia's unique heritage."

To find out more about the current issues and changes in heritage today, please visit Heritage BC, the 'parent' organization of this website: