It runs parallel to the Fraser River, emerging from Stewardson Way in the southwest portion of New Westminster, travelling through Downtown New Westminster and Sapperton, before crossing the Brunette River and becoming North Road.

Columbia Street started to emerge as a transportation corridor and townsite in the 1850s as the city of New Westminster was being developed.

[1] The street and its buildings were almost entirely destroyed during New Westminster's great fire of 1898, and had to be rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century.

[5][6] Despite the setback, the area quickly emerged as New Westminster's main commercial and business district.

[7] 502 Columbia Street was the home of an Eaton's until 1977 and was an Army & Navy Store from 1978 until the company's dissolution in 2020.