Beautiful Mission B.C. - Downtown Business Association

Fraser River Heritage Park - A half mile from Mission Downtown

In the heart of the Fraser Valley is Mission, named after St. Mary's Mission, founded in 1861 to spread Christianity to the local natives and control rowdy miners on their way to the gold fields. But the area's history goes back much further than that.

For thousands of years people have been stopping along the shores of the Fraser River to build homes and take advantage of the abundant salmon, towering cedars and bountiful berries and game.

The area was so rich, that visitors soon brought trade goods from hundreds of miles away; visitors have been coming ever since but now to experience the amenities, the history and wonderful recreational opportunities that await them. Bird watchers will be entranced by the bald eagles and trumpeter swans that frequent the area in winter. The surrounding lakes and mountains provide fishing, hiking, camping and skiing for the outdoor enthusiast.

At one time the railway line at Mission Junction was the only rail link between BC and the US; the original station is in the process of being restored to keep alive that part of Mission's history. In nearby Harrison Mills, visitors can browse through the Kilby Historic Store and Farm. A map of historic buildings throughout Mission is available through the Tourist InfoCentre.

Whether you want to sightsee our scenic waterfalls, hike or ski the nearby trails or fish in one of the many lakes, Mission has it all. The outstanding mountains, rivers, lakes and valley views with year round recreational opportunities and special events are just a few of the reasons why Mission is a great place to visit and a great place to live. To find out more about our rich history and see some of our heritage buildings, visit Mission's Historical Society in downtown Mission.