History
The Straits Salish people dominated the region from Boundary Bay in the north to Birch Bay in the south (in the US). Semiahmoo First Nation permanent encampments were known to exist between 1791, the first white contact, and the 1850s, the beginnings of white settlement. These were at the extreme east and extreme west on the water of the present site of the City of White Rock. The Semiahmoos also constructed "forts" as lookouts for raiders from the northern first nations; one is located in the Ocean Park area.
The Oregon boundary dispute culminated in the Oregon Treaty of 1846, which settled the outstanding border issues between Great Britain and the United States. Previously, these issues had been put on hold through a shared occupancy agreement of the Oregon territory by the two nations in the Treaty of 1818. The International Boundary Survey Commission in turn began in 1857 to set the boundary between the United States and British North America, roughly along the 49th parallel which runs straight through Semiahmoo Bay and Boundary Bay to Point Roberts, Washington.
The original town site was homesteaded in 1886 by a family named Smith, who promptly subdivided their property and sold the lots. By 1887, the British Columbia Directory was promoting Semiahmoo Bay as the "Naples of BC", predicting that it would one day become "a popular resort".
The modern history of White Rock is directly tied to the railway linking British Columbia to Washington state, which runs along the shore of Semiahmoo Bay to the border. The rail is currently owned by Burlington Northern and runs alongside the promenade at the beach. This was originally the Great Northern line, and it opened up both White Rock and Crescent Beach to tourists coming from Vancouver and New Westminster in the early 1900s. The White Rock border crossing (at Douglas, BC and Blaine, Washington) was officially opened in 1908, and the Peace Arch at the Douglas/Blaine border crossing was constructed in the 1920s.
In 1913, the present railway station was opened, and the Fox and Hunter Shingle mill began operation. The Campbell River Mill also opened to the east, bringing a minor boom in the local economy. The now famous pier was opened in 1914 to provide a deep water mooring facility.
In the 1950s, White Rock began to feel isolated from the rest of the (then) District of Surrey, where development was being concentrated elsewhere (North Surrey, Cloverdale). On April 15, 1957, a special warrant from the Government of British Columbia created the City of White Rock within its present boundary. In the 1950s, Peace Arch Hospital opened; today, it continues to be a major employer and health facility for the region.
Development continued to be concentrated by the waterfront until the 1960s and 1970s. Many small cliffside dwellings became affordable housing to those who could not pay the cost of living closer to Vancouver. White Rock gained a reputation as a 'retirement centre'.
The 1970s were the beginning of the White Rock-South Surrey area as a suburban, bedroom community within the Lower Mainland. The real estate market heated up and many younger families moved into the area, attracted to homes aimed at the young professional market. By the middle 1990s, the race for real estate and upscale housing was on. Now in the opening decade of the 21st century, many parts of the community resemble the homogenous development seen across much of North America. Many of the cliff-side cottages have given way to large homes, and the spectre of million dollar real estate has become a reality for the formerly sleepy community.
Location
White Rock is located in the southwest corner of British Columbia's Lower Mainland, forty-five kilometres from Vancouver, and is flanked on the south by the Canada/US border and Blaine, Washington. It is a seaside community clustered around an eight kilometre sandy beach and the warm shallow waters of Semiahmoo Bay. It is famous for its 1,500 ft. long pier, its 2.5km long beach promenade, and of course, the large white rock.
The City of Surrey surrounds White Rock on four sides. The dividing lines between the two municipalities are Bergstrom Street (136th Street) to the west, North Bluff Road (16th Avenue) to the north, Stayte Road (160th Street) to the east, Marine Drive (8th Avenue) and U.S./Canadian border to the south. The area south of 8th Avenue from Stayte westward to where 8th Avenue meets the water is Semiahmoo First Nation Reserve land, but lies within the bounds of the City of Surrey. The Surrey neighburhoods Ocean Park and Crescent Beach lie immediately to the northwest.
Places to See
- Waterfront Promenade & Pier
For those who would rather enjoy White Rock's spectacular views from the waterfront, Marine Drive offers plenty of scenic seating areas along the red brick waterfront promenade. Don't miss the opportunity to stroll along the famous pier which stretches out 475 metres (1,559 feet) into Semiahmoo Bay.
- White Rock Museum & Archives
White Rock's heritage is proudly displayed in the White Rock Museum and Archives, which is housed in the historic train station alongside the promenade.
- Peace Arch Park
Unique in British Columbia's system of provincial parks, Peace Arch Park is the only park that straddles the 49th parallel. Dedicated in 1921, the Peace Arch was built on the international boundary between Canada and the United States to commemorate the lasting peace between the two countries.
- Blackie Spit
Located in Crescent Beach, this naturalist locale is a fond favorite of bird watchers, featuring trails and views of both Boundary and Mud Bays.
Things to Do
- Shopping
White Rock boasts an eclectic collection of local independent retailers and large chain favorites to please even the most discriminative shopper.
- Lounging on the Beach
White Rock Beach is located just two miles north of the US border and only 35 minutes south of Vancouver. The famous White Rock pier is a favorite destination for tourists and residents, and the 2.5 kilometre beach promenade promises strollers a refreshing walk.
- Sports
The most temperate climate on the west coast of Canada allows for year-round enjoyment of a variety of sports activities. The Semiahmoo Peninsula boasts a dozen tennis courts, two lawn bowling clubs, two public pools, two ice arenas, year-round cycling, and a multitude of fitness centres.
- Golf
White Rock is the self-declared golfing capital of Canada, with 15 golf courses that range from very challenging to very easy, and 5 driving ranges, all within a 20 minute drive from the center of the city.
- Kayaking
There are incredible exploration opportunities to be found in Semiahmoo Bay, with its beautiful scenery, abundance of birds and marine wildlife. One of the best ways to discover these shores is by kayak.
Events
- Tour de White Rock
From humble beginnings in 1980 when White Rock saw its first bicycle race with 35 participants and 20 volunteers, to an international race attracting over 150 high calibre cyclists from across Canada, the United States, and Europe, the Tour de White Rock has become a hot spot event for professional cycling teams, fans, and the media. The Tour de White Rock is recognized internationally for its tradition of superb organization and race routes that raise the bar for endurance and tactics.
The Tour de White Rock is open to both male and female cyclists, with over $15,000 in cash prizes. Past winners have included Olympians Brian Walton, Alison Sydor and Warren Sallenback; Paul Tettamanti (also known as "Mr. White Rock"); Tour de France stage winner Alex Stieda; and World Mountain Bike Champion Roland Green.
Each year, the organizers of Tour de White Rock team up with the Tour de Gastown, Giro di Burnaby, and Tour de Delta to bring to you BC Superweek. This combination of 8 races in 10 days offers an amazing week of competition on cyclists' calendars. The four events offer over $70,000 in combined prize money.
Contact Information
City of White Rock
15322 Buena Vista Ave.
White Rock, BC
Canada V4B 1Y6
Phone: (604) 541-2100
Fax: (604) 541-2118
Website: www.city.whiterock.bc.ca
