Viewing Object

Maximilien Michaud Sr. was Joseph Michaud's (1841-1909) older brother, also from St. Philippe de Kamouraska, Quebec. Maximilien had worked his way west across the USA and Canada both on train and on foot; the journey took about 18 months. He first pre-empted land in Hope before working in a hotel in New Westminster, and in 1869 he purchased the New Brighton Hotel in Hastings (later Vancouver). He was the first postmaster in Vancouver, with the office in his saloon. The hotel's name changed to the Hastings Hotel, but it was nicknamed Maxie's. Maximilien also owned 600 acres in Langley Prairie. He died on December 22, 1882 at the age of 44, and was buried in St. Peter's Roman Catholic Cemetery in New Westminster.