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History
Between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago, the Sto:lo arrived in the Chilliwack area. At the time of their first contact with Europeans, it is estimated that there were as many as 30,000 people living within Sto:lo territory. The word Chilliwack is the name of a local Indian tribe as well as a geographic description of the area. Originally spelled Chilliwhack, this "Halkomelem" word means "quieter water at the head" or travel by way of a backwater.
In 1857, gold was discovered in the Fraser Canyon. By 1858, over 30,000 gold miners had trekked to the goldfields, most travelling through the Chilliwack area. By the mid 1860s several farms had grown up around the steamboat landings on the Fraser River called Miller's Landing, Sumas Landing, and Chilliwack Landing.
The Township of Chilliwack was incorporated in 1873, the third municipality in British Columbia. Initial settlement was along the Fraser River at Chilliwack Landing. Steamboats were the main mode of transportation, carrying goods and passengers between Chilliwack and New Westminster.
With little room for expansion along the river, the commercial area of the town moved south to the junction of the New Westminster-Yale Wagon Road, Wellington Avenue, and Young Road, called "Five Corners." A large subdivision called Centreville was built In 1881. The name Centreville was replaced in 1887 by the more popular "Chilliwhack." The area was incorporated in 1908 as a separate municipality, the City of Chilliwack. The City and the Township co-existed for 72 years until 1980 when they merged to form the District of Chilliwack. The District of Chilliwack became the City of Chilliwack in the early 1990s.
Location
Chilliwack is located in the upper Fraser Valley, 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of Vancouver on the Trans-Canada Highway. The city is bounded on the north by the Fraser River, and on the south by the Canada-United States border.
Places to See
- Kilby Historic Site
Kilby Historic Site is the perfect place for a trip down memory lane. Kilby General Store is all that remains of the original town of Harrison Mills, a once bustling community. The store was the hub of the town, serving as the general supply store, post office, gas station, hotel and meeting place.
Harrison Mills is nestled in a rural valley just west of Agassiz. This area is surrounded by mountains and is at the confluence of Fraser and Harrison Rivers. Eagles are often seen soaring overhead or perched in the trees at Kilby Park along scenic Harrison River during the winter months. Today the Kilby general store is a world class 1920s Fraser Valley living history site, complete with costumed interpreters. This 5 acre BC Heritage attraction includes the 1906 General Store Museum, Manchester House Hotel & Post Office, as well as friendly farm animals and an orchard playground. Other site facilities include the quaint home-style restaurant, unique country gift shop, and 22-site campground on the scenic Harrison Bay. Open daily 11am - 5pm May to September; open Thursday to Monday 11 am to 5 pm April, September through to December. Thirty minutes east of Mission and west of Harrison Hot Springs on scenic Highway 7.
- Cultus Lake
One of the most popular recreation areas in the Fraser Valley. Swimming and other water sports, golf, hiking and go-carting. Nearby Cultus Lake Provincial Park offers beach access and four different campgrounds.
- Cultus Lake Water Park
Family fun from May to September, featuring a new hot water spray park, Cannon Kingdom, the Valley of Fear, Radical Rapids, and Water Mania. Designed with kids in mind!
- Giggle Ridge Adventure Golf
Offering family fun through a 1930s logging camp theme complete with locomotive, steam donkey, and antique truck, all done in an imaginative cartoon style.
- Minter Gardens
A 32 acre world-class show garden designed to dazzle the senses: 11 themed gardens, 2 fabulous restaurants, and a wonderful gift & plant shop.
- Chilliwack Museum and Archives
The Chilliwack Museum and Archives was formed in 1957 when a group of local citizens gathered to promote the preservation of local history. In the following year, Chilliwack's first museum and archives opened and began the process of documenting the human and natural history of the community and surrounding area. The collections have grown and reflect the transformation of Chilliwack from a largely rural agriculture community to a dynamic, growing regional centre.
Things to Do
- Fishing
The Chilliwack area offers a wide variety of fishing challenges. The Fraser River is one of the most productive rivers in North America for salmon, steelhead, and world record sized sturgeon. If the Fraser is too high for bar fishing, you can fish tributary creeks for prized chinook. These tough fighting fish can weigh up to 60 lbs! In 1993 a new sockeye fishery opened, providing some of the best fishing you'll find anywhere.
Over the summer months, the river level drops daily and numerous gravel bars are exposed where anglers drop in a line for the day. The chinook and sockeye run through until the fall. Steelhead and coho begin to enter the river in early September, so there is a chance at catching a variety of fish in the same day.
- Biking / Horseback Riding / Walking
The popular Rotary Vedder River Trail runs for 15.5 kilometres along the north dyke of the Vedder River, and has a surface that is suitable for walking, running, cycling or horseback riding. It has become a popular venue for outdoor leisure and recreation activities.
- Boating
Cultus Lake is an ideal location for swimming, sailing, or boating.
- Hang Gliding
Bridal Falls is a world-famous hang gliding and paragliding site that is not only flyable but also soarable just about every fair weather day in the summer. There are multiple landing zones and two well-groomed launches: an upper and a lower, both of which require access by four-wheel-drive vehicles. The Lower Launch is only 20 minutes from Highway 1. Swirling winds at this site make it difficult to launch safely: be cautious and contact local pilots before flying.
- Hiking
Mountains of adventure await you in Chilliwack. Whether you're a serious or a novice outdoors enthusiast, your quest for outdoor thrills begins and ends on and around the mountains. Chilliwack Hiking Trail brochures are available from the Tourism Chilliwack Visitor Centre and include detailed information on 26 of the most popular trails in the eastern Fraser Valley. All trails are colour coded for degree of difficulty.
Events
- Chilliwack Exhibition
The Chilliwack Exhibition consists of many different events and competitions, such as livestock shows, crafts, floral, hobbies, and many other exciting types of entertainment for everyone.
- Hope River Classic
A 5 and 8 kilometre run/walk/wheel event for the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of BC. A picturesque, rural route through Fraser Valley farmland. Pets are welcome! Join 200+ participants in a relaxed "finishing is winning" atmosphere.
- Chilliwack Bluegrass Festival
Bluegrass music workshops and shows all weekend long. Fun for the whole family!
Contact Information
Tourism Chilliwack
Tourism Chilliwack Visitor Centre
44150 Luckakuck Way
Chilliwack, BC V2R 4A7
Telephone: 604-858-8121
Toll-Free: 1-800-567-9535
Fax: 604-858-0157
Email: info@tourismchilliwack.com
Website: www.tourismchilliwack.com
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