Chillwack lies on the south bank of the Fraser River, about 100 kilometres east of Vancouver. Chilliwack takes its name from the local first nations people and various geographic features. The Sto:lo first arrived in the Chilliwack area, between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago. Chilliwack is now the second largest municipality in the Upper Chilliwack, covering a territory of 100 square miles, between the Fraser River, the US/Canada border, Abbotsford to the west, and Bridal Falls and Hope to the east.
Chilliwack History
During the Fraser River gold rush, most of the miners passed through the Chilliwack area. By the mid 1860s farming began around the steamboat landings at Miller’s Landing, Sumas Landing and Chilliwack Landing. The Township of Chilliwack was incorporated in 1873, and is the third oldest municipality in British Columbia.
With little room for expansion along the river, the town expanded toward the New Westminster-Yale Wagon Road, around Wellington Avenue and Young Road. This new centre came to be called Five Corners. By 1881 a large subdivision called Centreville was developed, though within a few years, Centreville was renamed Chilliwack, which incorporated in 1908 as the City of Chilliwack. The City and the Township co-existed for 72 years, and in 1980 they merged to become the District of Chilliwack.
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Chilliwack Attractions
Here are the most popular attractions in Chilliwack:
Chilliwack Museum & Archives
45820 Spadina Avenue, Chilliwack, BC V2P 1T3
(604) 795-5210 Fax (604) 795-5291
The Chilliwack Museum and Archives have been collecting objects and records related to the history of the Chilliwack area, since 1958. The Archives contains a collection of 20,000 photographs and maps, oral histories, municipal government records dating from the incorporation of the Township of Chilliwack in 1873, and microfilmed copies of the Chilliwack Progress newspaper dating from 1860’s. The object collection includes Sto:lo First Nations, which settled in the area over 5,000 years ago.
Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm;
Saturday 11:00 am to 3:30 pm
Bridal Veil Falls
On Highway # 1, 16 km east of Chilliwack.
Traveling east take exit #135, heading west take exit # 138.
Set against the back drop of 7,000 foot Mount Cheam, see the incredible 122 metre high Bridal Veil Falls. A variety of facilities await the visitor to the Bridal Falls area including Bridal Falls Bumper Boats, Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park, Bridal Falls Camperland, Bridal Falls Motel, Bridal Falls Travel Centre, Dinotown dinosaur theme park, Minter Gardens, Mountain Brook Golf Course and the TransCanada Water Slides.
Chilliwack Lake
Approximately 50 minutes from Chilliwack.
Swimming, fishing, boating, hiking with trails around Greendrop Lake, Flora Lake and Radium Lake.
Cultus Lake
South of Chilliwack
Cultus Lake is just minutes from the freeway close to Chilliwack. The area offers something for everyone in the family. Private & Provincial Park camping. Cultus Lake Water Park has a Cannon Kingdom, Hot Water Interactive, Hot Shower Spray Park, Valley of Fear, Picnic and Volley Ball area.
Minter Gardens
q0015 Young Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2P 4V4
Highway #1 at Rosedale exit #135
(604) 792-6612
Minter Gardens is 27 acres of floral artistry, with eleven theme gardens designed to dazzle the senses with massive displays of colour and fragrance.
Chilliwack Parks
Here are the more popular parks in Chilliwack, from north to south (see other area parks):
Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park
Bridal Falls, On Highway # 1, 16 km east of Chilliwack. (eastbound exit #135, westbound exit # 13)
The 122 metres falls, the 6th highest in Canada, on the side of 7,000 foot Mount Cheam, flows into Bridal Creek and the Cheam Lake Regional Nature Park. From the parking lot its an easy twenty minute walk to the base of the falls. The site includes the ancient aboriginal village of Popkum, dating back to the 1680s. The scenic day use picnic area is at the foot of the Falls.
Chilliwack Lake
Chilliwack Lake Road, approximately 50 minutes from Chilliwack
Chilliwack Lake is set in the Cascade Mountains, and fed by the whitewater Chilliwack River. There is a Provincial Park with camping and a boat launch and many trails. You can fish for White Fish, Dollies, Rainbow Trout & Cutthroat Trout.
Cultus Lake
3405 Columbia Valley Hwy, Cultus Lake
(604) 858-5253
Activities at the lake include swimming, boating, wind surfing, water skiing, waterslides, horse-back riding, hiking, go-carts, mini-cars, mini-golf, golf, and family camping in both government and private sites. Cultus Lake Water Park (waterslides & volleyball) is near the entrance of the park.