In
the heart of the Fraser Valley is the city of Mission, British
Columbia, named after St. Mary's Mission, founded in 1861 to spread
Christianity to the local natives and control rowdy miners on
their way to the gold fields. But the area's history goes back
much farther than that.
For
thousands of years people have been stopping along the shores
of the Fraser River to build homes and take advantage of the abundant
salmon, towering cedars and bountiful berries and game.
The
Mission area was so rich, that visitors soon brought trade goods
from hundreds of miles away; visitors have been coming ever since
but now to experience the amenities, the history and wonderful
recreational opportunities that await them. Bird watchers will
be entranced by the bald eagles and trumpeter swans that frequent
the area in winter. The surrounding lakes and mountains provide
fishing, hiking, camping and skiing for the outdoor enthusiast
At
one time the railway line at Mission Junction was the only rail
link between British Columbia and the U.S.; the original station
is in the process of being restored to keep alive that part of
Mission's history. In nearby Harrison Mills, visitors can browse
through the Kilby Historic Store and Farm. There is also a map
of historic buildings throughout Mission that is available through
the Tourist InfoCentre.
Whether you want to walk through a series of scenic waterfalls,
hike or ski the nearby trails or fish in the many lakes, the outstanding
mountain, river, lake and valley views with their accompanying
year round recreational opportunities, the town's many events
and the preservation if its history makes Mission a place for
all.
Accommodation/Adventure
Providers
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City
Information
Accommodations:
There are a number of hotels and motels accommodation in the
city of Mission plus private and provincial campsite close by.
Population:
29,225.
Elevation:
12 m. (39 ft.).
Access:
Access to Mission from Vancouver, BC, is either along the
TransCanada Highway and turning north at Abbotsford or following
Highway 7 (71 km/44 mi.). The area is serviced by bus and rail
lines.
Local
Attractions: Fraser River Heritage Park, Museum & Fire Museum,
Mission Raceway, Cascade Falls Regional Park, Hatzik Rock (archaeological
site), Heritage Park evening concerts, Rolley Lake Provincial
Park, Ruskin Dam Recreation Site (spawning channel), Cascade Falls,
Matsqui Trail Regional Park, Hayward Park Conservation Area, community
theater, Westminster Abbey, Inch Creek Fish Hatchery, Hemlock
Valley ski resort, Stave Falls Dam.
April
- Mission Raceway open, Trade show
May
- Art show, Mission Hill Stomp Run, Horse Show, Heritage Park
opens.
"Envision
Twilight Concert Series" at the Fraser River Heritage
Park. Free
by donation concerts Wednesday and Friday nights, 7-8 pm in
June, July, and August
(Information ph 604-826-0267)
June
- quilt show, Heritage Festival
July
- International Pow Wow, Folk Music Festival, Canada Day, Mission
Agricultural Fair
September
- Fall Fair, fishing derby
December
- candlelight parade
For
Information:
Travel InfoCentre
34033 Lougheed Highway,
Box 3340, Mission, British Columbia, V2V 4J5
Tel (604) 826-6914 • Fax (604) 5916
Vancouver
Coast & Mountains Tourism Region
1651 Commercial Drive #270,
Vancouver, British Columbia V5L 3Y3
Tel: (604) 739-9011
Toll Free: 1-800-667-3306
Fax: (604) 739-0153
Email: info@vcmbc.com