History on the Fraser
An opportunity to paddle AND learn about the history of the Fraser River
We all love paddling on our river. But how many of us know much about what has happened on and around the river during the last 200 years, or so? This idea – called Voyageur Historians – will provide just that opportunity to learn while paddling.
Some of our paddlers will be researching an area of history on the Fraser, and its immediate area, and highlight their story during a regular Saturday morning paddle.
Some of the topics that may be covered include:
- Glen Valley
- Nathan (Beaver) Creek
- McGiver's Landing
- West Creek
- Salmon River
- Kanaka Creek (KEEPS)
- the Haney Slide
- the Kwantlin (Quaitland)
- Billy Miner Pub
- Kingfisher Pub
- Birds of the river
- Fish of the river
- Animals of the river
- Hammond Cedar Mill
And, of course, those others that interest you.
Some of us might choose to bring an expert along for the paddle, or just present the history ourselves.
There are many sources of information such as:
- the internet
- local museums, libraries, historians and interested persons.
- some publications that we would all find interesting would include:
- The Fort Langley Journals - edited by Morag Maclachlan available at Wendels, bookstores & library
- Vancouver- City on the Edge - John Clague and Bob Turner (interesting geology) available at library
- The Place Between- Volume I 1875-1939 by the Aldergrove Heritage Society (for the Glen Valley end of our home territory)
- Maple Ridge: A history of Settlement
If you would like to research an area and share it during one of the regular paddles,please email Katie
The Salmon River
The Haney Slide - 130 years on
as told by Glenn Howes on 30 January 2010
January 30, 2010 the regular Saturday morning voyageur paddle celebrated the 130th anniversary of the Haney Slide by viewing its remnants and hearing the story.
At 3 PM on this date in 1880 there was a loud boom and 15 acres of Justus Howison's farm slid, blocking half the river including the main navigation channel. The resulting 60 ft wave which carried ice and wood debris wiped out the Ewen Co fish curing operation directly opposite at what is now the Derby Reach Park's day area. Large waves traveled up and down the river, knocking out wharves, destroying boats and killing Mr. Edge at his farm on the former Derby townsite.
Today the river has reclaimed its deep channel on the Maple Ridge side of the river and the visible evidence of the slide includes a large tear in the bank and a couple of piles of clay which have not yet been washed away.
