Celebrating a proud past and a bright future.

For over a century the pleasant ambience of the White Rock pier has attracted thousands of locals and visitors.  Built in 1912, it has survived damage from the elements, as well as the activities of teenagers who during the 1930s and 1940s often used the pier as a site for car racing.  In 2018 a Category One hurricane took out a large mid-section and put the pier out of commission; a person stranded on the seaward side had to be rescued by helicopter.  But in 2019 the pier reopened and once again welcomes the world.

Photo Credit: White Rock Archives

Jack Kerr in the car he built in 1936 in front of the Matsqui Hotel.  The car was built from a 1919 Chev, in his coal shed.

Photo Credit: The Reach, P12465

Floods are an accepted way of life along the Fraser Valley. The flood of 1948 drove many people from their homes, causing much property damage but no loss of life. Even the rodeo was postponed until September.

Photos Credits: [Woman in a rowboat], 1948. Norm Amundsen Collection. Courtesy of Surrey Archives, 2018.0037.144.

The Fraser Valley is a richly productive farming area.  Jassa and Munsha Singh tend their eighteen-acre potato farm, located near the Trans-Canada Highway in Sumas, the summer of 1953.  Theirs was the largest commercial producer of potatoes in the Matsqui, Abbotsford, Sumas area.

Photo Credit: The Reach, P29682

Surrey’s first crossing of the Fraser River to New Westminster and the rest of Vancouver was built in 1902.  A second bridge opened in 1937, but the increased use and the wear and tear of many vehicles led to a 2008 decision to replace a worn-out bridge.  Construction began in 2021, with completion expected in 2024.  This photograph shows the bridge in 1962.

Photo Credits: Whalley Street Scene – Pattullo Bridge and Great Northern Railway at Bridge Road, 1962. Courtesy of Surrey Archives, 180.7.39G.

These are the offices of Keith Beadle Motors and Brown’s Mobile Homes, corner of Fraser Highway and Carvolth Road.  Mr. Beadle was a graduate of the Reisch College of Auctioneering in Madison City, Iowa.  He established the first continuing car auction in the Fraser Valley.

Photo Credits: [Keith Beadle New Cars], 1963. Neville Curtis Photograph Collection. Courtesy of Surrey Archives, NC1767C.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board has reached out to the community in many ways.  During the 1980s the Gardens Contest was its most popular program, a chance for local homeowners to demonstrate their talents.  This photograph, taken in 1984, shows one of the spectacular ways in which a homeowner collaborated with the marvelous richness of the local environment to create an impressive display.

Photo Credit: FVREB Archives 

Family fun at Bear Creek Park.  This is one of Surrey’s most popular parks, a great place for picnics, with a running track, water park, and outdoor swimming pool.  Holiday miniature train rides are a featured attraction.  The Surrey Art Gallery is at the entrance to the park.

Photo Credit: [Picnic], ca. 1990s. City of Surrey photograph. Courtesy of Surrey Archives, SACR2004.004.112. 

As part of its ongoing community service, FVREB has been a major contributor to the new SFU campus in Surrey.  In collaboration with SFU they created an Urban Sustainability Program.  The campus has recently completed building a five story 15,000 square meter facility dedicated to energy systems and environmental engineering programs.

Photo Credit: FVREB Archive

As part of the Realty Watch program, FVREB members met and collaborated regularly with the Surrey Police.

Photo Credit: FVREB Archive