Harrison Mills BC - Between the Bridges

The Journey Begins

Harrison Mills BC is a rural community well deserving a bit of your time and a closer look such as I did yesterday. My journey began Monday in Mission, I had just dropped off my daughters for their West Coast Express train ride into Vancouver, turning eastward onto Highway #7 (Lougheed Highway) I could not help but think about all the fine “out of the way places” there are between the bridges of Mission and Agassiz-Rosedale that my wife and I introduced our children to as they were growing up; one such place was Harrison Mills.

Harrison Mills BC History in Brief

Situated at the junction of the Harrison and Fraser River, about 14 km west of Agassiz and 36 km east of the City of Mission, Harrison Mills served the First Nation people well providing salmon runs, cedar, and forests teeming with wildlife. European settlers enjoyed the strategic river positioning serving as a stopping point for loggers, gold rush adventurers and tourist on their way via steamer to the hot springs bathhouse located at the former St. Alice Hotel circa 1886 (now the home of the Harrison Hotel). Harrison Mills, named after the many sawmills in the area, was a convenient location for passengers and freight from Chilliwack on the south side of the Fraser River to cross. Once over they could use the Canadian Pacific Railway for travel and the shipment of farm produce. A few years later a railway was built through Chilliwack causing shipping in the Harrison Mills area to decline. In 1906, the Kilby Hotel and General Store was built across from the tracks and remains a feature heritage attraction to thousands of guests each year.

Harrison Mills Today

The landscape is a mixture of valley floor agricultural farmland used for dairy, blue berries, corn, rather extensive poplar tree plantations slated someday for harvest and conversion into TP (toilet paper), the upscale Sandpiper golf resort, Harrison River, Harrison Bay and awe inspiring Coastal Mountains and wilderness. As you can see from my pictures even a hack like me with a small camera was able to find lots of good shots. I especially liked getting out and walking out over the Harrison River Bridge. While it seems that time goes a little slower here a quick look around reveals new good quality modern residential subdivisions along the banks of the Harrison River and well appointed development dotting the landscape. A future post will talk about the real estate in the area.

This is very much a working community and the waterways still figure prominently in defining this area. Booming yards extend along the rivers, sport fishing abounds and yet there is a quiet inward reflective quality to this area with the wilderness never far away.

Harrison Mills is home to one of the largest seasonal convergence of eagles in North America as they feed on salmon carcasses having finished their incredible spawning journey. One time I counted 14 eagles in one tree – a sight to see. Read Ed Pedersen fine blog about eagles in the area by clicking the eagle link above.

Harrison Mills Activities and Accommodation

In addition to boating, kayaking, swimming and other water sports Harrison Mills provides a one of the best golf resorts in the Fraser Valley in the Sandpiper Golf Resort. This 160 acre former “lumber baron” estate offers charming accommodation at Rowena’s Inn on the River, fine dining and a par 72 course of over 6500 feet. The 18 holes wind through old evergreens nestled against the backdrop of the Harrison River.

As mentioned this area is a great place for bird watchers and for others simply having an appreciation for the beauty of nature. Just having a walk is a pleasant way to spend a portion of your day.

Other accommodation includes the Kilby Campground next to the Harrison Bay, and a variety of Bed and Breakfast establishments.

With respect to winter sports Hemlock Valley Ski Resort is only a half hour away.

Harrison Mills provides year round sporting excitement. So do yourself a favour, do your kids a favour and plan a visit to Harrison Mills today.

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Stephen Mullock is a real estate associate broker with Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Realty, telephone 604-792-0077.