Named after the Honorable Thomas Taylor (1865 - 1947), who, as minister of Public Works, had been instrumental in securing government funds for the survey & construction of roads and general development of Strathcona Park: "The Hon. Thomas Taylor... intends to spare no pains to secure through here the finest drives to be found anywhere, and... Sir Richard McBride is very desirous that the park be developed to its utmost...." (The Great Playground on Vancouver Island, British Columbia Magazine, Vol 9, No 7, July 1913, p.370.) The onset of World War I, and a shortage of government funds brought the elaborate development plans to a halt. Prior to assuming a cabinet post, Taylor listed his profession as mineral broker, then mining recorder. He served as Minister of Works (Works ) December 1908 - December 1915, and held a dual portfolio as Minister of Railways March 1911 - December 1915.