Mission, a district of about 34,000 people, situated on the Fraser River west of Maple Ridge, got its start as St. Mary's Indian Residential School, set up in 1861 by an Oblate Priest from France (Father Fouquet). Local farmers began using some of the facilities and picked up their mail at St. Mary's Mission. The opening of a railway station (1883) displaced the school to a higher location whereupon the facilities were expanded. Communities made up of various nationalities estblished themselves in the area (Silverdale, Ruskin, Stave Lake, Silverhill, Hatzic). The Municipality of Mission was incorporated in 1892. Also in 1892, the Fraser River overflowed its banks prompting businesses to move north of the railway tracks. In 1904 Canada's only train robbery took place in Mission perpetrated by the legendary Bill Miner. Westminster Abbey a Benedictine monastery as well as a local landmark was built in 1954. In 1969 the town and municipality amalgamated to become the "District of Mission. During its development the area was also known as "Mission Junction", "Mission City", Village of Mission".
The diversity of geography allowed many industries to prosper. Farms producing various berries, crops, livestock, dairy products for local consumption and shipment to other parts responded to market demands. Local forests provided material for railway ties, telephone poles, shakes and shingles. Over the years many light industries set up shop in Mission due in large part to the bridge that connected the north shore of the Fraser River to Highway #11 to the south providing a direct link to the Trans Canada Highway at Abbotsford.
Mission is a historic "meeting place." The Hatzic Rock archeological site marks a centuries-old aboriginal Sto:lo settlement and spiritual gathering site. Every year the International Pow Wow is a popular meeting place where visitors can see traditional aboriginal dress, dancing and rhythmic drumming. Mission's Heritage Park is a modern meeting site with music concerts, folk festival and an annual religious pilgrimage. The Benedictine monastery, Westminster Abbey, gives tours and holds retreats. All this makes for a full featured community whose residential base is expanding.
Recommended sites for lots of quality information on Mission B.C.
Each of these well designed sites provides information on many topics related to the Mission area.
History, attractions, maps, directions, services for visitors, suggestions, you will find them all here. Enjoy.
The official site for the District of Mission - www.city.mission.bc.ca
The Chamber of Commerce serving Mission - www.missionchamber.bc.ca
Local newspaper "Mission City Record" - www.missioncityrecord.com
Sites for visitors to the Mission area
www.missionbc.com
www.missionmyhome.com
www.whatshappeningaroundtown.com/Mission.htm
"Fraser Valley Guide" website: a useful collection of links & pages for the valley - www.fraservalleyguide.com
Photo galleries of Mission and area
Downtown Mission Hayward Recreational Area Fraser River Heritage Park
Aerial Photographs Westminster Abbey
Home Page
Photographer: Maurice Jassak
Web page design: Maurice Jassak
Images West Marketing
www.vancouverbccards.com
maurice@vancouverbccards.com
