Pillsbury House has the historical distinction of being Prince Rupert's first home - circa 1908. It was built for and was occupied by Grand Trunk Pacific railroad dignitaries and their families for a century. If this home could talk (and in some ways it does) it would disclose the conversations, dreams, and plans of Joel H. Pillsbury, 1st Assistant Harbour Engineer (the original builder) and Charles M. Hayes (founder of the Grand Trunk Pacific). No doubt they spent many hours sitting and troubleshooting their aspirations and hopes for the city of their dreams. Joel Pillsbury was a city planner and designed the house with the four upstairs gables facing the four points of the compass.