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Mission Community Archives

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Mission Community Archives

The Archives is housed in a custom-built 3000 square foot facility — the first of its kind in the Fraser Valley — which was opened in 1994.

Established on February 25, 1989 by the Mission District Historical Society, the Mission Community Archives houses vivid, first-hand accounts of Mission's history. Constructed by the District of Mission and leased by the Historical Society, the facility offers a spacious, secure, environmentally-controlled vault for records with a storage capacity in excess of 4,000 linear feet and optimal space t

o support the other operations of the archives, including records processing, reference services and public programming. The Archives serves local residents and the global community by acquiring, preserving, maintaining, documenting and making available for public research records of archival value to the District of Mission and the Fraser Valley Regional District Electoral Areas: Dewdney-Hatzic Island, Nicomen Island-Deroche, Lake Errock and McConnell Creek-Hatzic Prairie. By saving the community’s records, we ensure that Mission’s rich and unique heritage will be available to present and future generations.

08/31/2026

HISTORICAL TRIVIALITIES
McConnell Creek School, 1930-32

Did you know that in the early 1930s, schoolteacher Gania Ernie complained to the provincial government that her students weren’t coming to class due to the large black bear population around the school? Nothing was done until an inspector from Victoria arrived at the school and found her alone, her pupils all absent.

Shortly after, the community rallied together, using volunteer labour to build a brand-new school on Hartley Road.

Own a piece of history: Message us or email [email protected] to purchase a digital or custom-size reproduction of this historic photo. Fees charged directly help sustain the Archives volunteer-based operation.

08/27/2026

The Tug-O-War was a popular feature of the Loggers’ Sports games, with teams representing organizations and businesses in BC. Competitors included Millstream Logging, Squamish, the RCMP, McMahon Lumber Co., and a group of Vancouver firefighters.

In 1971, event organizers registered as replacements for a last-minute drop-out, and managed to defeat Legion Branch 57 for the first prize.

Be sure to check out the Mission Loggers Sports Competition- back after a 47-year hiatus, this August 22nd, 12-4 pm in Fraser River Heritage Park! https://www.mission.ca/logger-sports

Own a piece of history: Message us or email [email protected] to purchase a digital or custom-size reproduction of this historic photo. Fees charged directly help sustain the Archives volunteer-based operation.

08/25/2026

HISTORICAL TRIVIALITIES
Stave Falls Railway

Did you know Mission, BC was once claimed to have the "shortest railroad in the world"?

Measuring only 10 km, the Stave Falls Railway was claimed by some to be the “shortest railroad in the world.” Chartered by the government, the line began operating in 1910 to transport freight to the dam site. In 1911 Robert Hayward, general manager at the Stave Falls power development, reported: “Without the railway, the construction work could not have been carried to completion.” Eventually, the mini-railway also carried passengers at a cost of 25 cents per person.

An inscription on the back of the posted photograph housed in the Community Archives, states the railway was operated by a “Daddy Moe from Missouri” and the “kids all loved him.”

Own a piece of local history! You can purchase a digital or custom-size reproduction of this photograph for personal use. Message us directly or email our archivist at [email protected] to order.

08/20/2026

Mission’s first Timber Queen, Jennifer Kokoska, in her golden hard hat, 1969
1969 saw the crowning of the first Timber Queen, Jennifer Kokoska. The competition for the Timber Queen’s golden hard hat was open to the seven to eight year-old daughters of persons connected to the forestry and logging industries.

The Timber Queen was there at the end of the events to hand over the trophy to the winners, and would take part in the promotional materials running up the games.

Be sure to check out the Mission Loggers Sports Competition- back after a 47-year hiatus, this August 22nd, 12-4 pm in Fraser River Heritage Park! https://www.mission.ca/logger-sports

Own a piece of history: Message us or email [email protected] to purchase a digital or custom-size reproduction of this historic photo. Fees charged directly help sustain the Archives volunteer-based operation.

08/18/2026

HISTORICAL TRIVIALITIES
From the Archives of Gordon Mohs, Cultural Anthropologist & Archaeologist, 2005

Did you know that the records of well-known Cultural Anthropologist & Archaeologist Gordon Mohs are preserved in the Mission Community Archives?

Among his records is the posted image dated 2005, showing Gordon teaching visitors inside the traditional pit house at Xa:ytem. He is widely known for his meaningful work alongside local Indigenous communities to preserve this sacred site.

According to Gordon, through the early educational programs initially offered at Xa:ytem over 100,000 children learned about local First Nations culture and archaeological history. One story he recalled was of a grade two student attending the artifact sifting program who found an ancient artwork - a segmented stone!

Own a piece of local history! You can purchase a digital or custom-size reproduction of this photograph for personal use. Message us directly or email our archivist at [email protected] to order.

:ytem

08/13/2026

The Harts of Whonnock sweep the Loggers’ Sports Show, 1976.

Father Gord Hart, son Greg, and daughter Cindy shared a combined five first place finishes and two second place finishes in the 1976 Loggers’ Sports Show. The following year, Judy Hart, Gord’s wife and Greg and Cindy’s mother joined her family in the event, with her and Cindy forming a team in the ladies’ double bucking competition.

While the nail driving competition was the best covered women’s event in the Loggers’ Games, women’s events were introduced in 1967, and women were frequent competitors in the show.

Be sure to check out the Mission Loggers Sports Competition- back after a 47-year hiatus, this August 22nd, 12-4 pm in Fraser River Heritage Park! https://www.mission.ca/logger-sports

Own a piece of history: Message us or email [email protected] to purchase a digital or custom-size reproduction of this historic photo. Fees charged directly help sustain the Archives volunteer-based operation.

08/10/2026

HISTORICAL TRIVIALITIES
Mission Pioneer Motors, 1970s

Did you know Pioneer Chrysler Jeep on First Avenue in Mission is BC’s oldest Chrysler dealership?

This Mission landmark business first opened its doors in 1940! Founded by Fred Newton and Tom Derrough, it started as a humble gas station and repair shop. By 1954, it expanded into a Chrysler-Plymouth-Fargo dealer and was proudly run by the Derrough family for over five decades. The posted aerial view photograph of the business dates to the 1970s.

Own a piece of history: You can purchase a digital or custom-sized print reproduction of this historic photograph. Every single purchase directly supports our volunteer-based operations and keeps your local history accessible online!

Message us directly right here or email us at [email protected].

History

08/06/2026

Mission Mayor Neville Cox (left) competes with Fraser Valley MP, Ervin “Jerry” Pringle, in the celebrity birling event, 1970.

Back in the day during Mission’s historic Derby Week, the celebrity birling competition was the big crowd favourite!

Politicians from the Fraser Valley faced off in best two-out-of-three matches at the Loggers’ Sports Bowl. The rules of birling are simple: two competitors stand on a floating log, and the last one standing wins!

While the celebrities stole the show, Loggers' Sports was a massive annual tradition featuring novice, professional, junior, and women’s divisions.
Be sure to check out the Mission Loggers Sports Competition- back after a 47-year hiatus, this August 22nd, 12-4 pm in Fraser River Heritage Park! https://www.mission.ca/logger-sports

Own a piece of history: Message us or email [email protected] to purchase a digital or custom-size reproduction of this historic photo. Fees charged directly help sustain the Archives volunteer-based operation.

08/03/2026

HISTORICAL TRIVIALITIES
Mission City & District Volunteer Fire Brigade, 1951

Did you know that back in 1951, Mission enjoyed an incredibly low number of fires? The Fraser Valley Record credited this safety streak to the "prompt and efficient work of the volunteer fire brigade."

Look closely at this historic photo published during Fire Prevention Week on October 10, 1951. Do you recognize any of these familiar local names? From left to right: Dick Wilson, Jack Lightburn, Norman Fergusion, Ted Hill, Albert Hincke, Chief Percy Ferguson, Jimmy Gunn, driver Art Bryant, Ken Lawrence, Tom Derrough, Ken Lissimore and Bob Lock.

Help Us Preserve Your History!
We need your detective skills! If you or anyone you know can identify the buildings in the background of this photo, please send us a message or email our Archivist..

Own a Piece of Mission History!
Own a piece of history: You can purchase a digital or custom-sized print reproduction of this historic photograph. Every single purchase directly supports our volunteer-based operations and keeps your local history accessible online!

Message us directly right here or email us at [email protected].

#1951

07/30/2026

BLAST FROM THE PAST – Homes & Gardens
Edward & Charlotte Abbott’s House – 1900s

The posted photograph is of the iconic 3 story Edwardian style home built in 1911 by Mission pioneer Edward James Abbott. Constructed with Clayburn brick, the house still stands today on Third Avenue between James and Grand Street next to a similar home built in 1912 for another member of the Abbott family.

Standing on the front porch to the right is Edward’s wife, Charlotte with one of their children. The family settled in Mission in 1895. Mr. Abbott was a pioneer fruit farmer known for his inventive genius who served as a councillor (1896-1903) for the former Corporation of the District of Mission (1892-1969) and as the first elected Village Commissioner Chair (1923) for the former Corporation of the Village of Mission (1923-1958). You can read more about the house and it history by visiting the archives website Heritage Places -Places.com

Own a piece of history: Message us or email [email protected] to purchase a digital or custom-size reproduction of this historic photo. Fees charged directly help sustain the Archives volunteer-based operation.

Address

33215 Second Avenue
Mission, BC
V2V4L1

Opening Hours

Thursday	8am - 12pm
	1pm - 4am
Friday	8am - 12pm
	1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+16048202621

Website

http://missionarchives.com/

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