Discover how ancient glaciers, Stó:lō stewardship, the draining of Sumas Lake, and Clayburn bricks built modern Abbotsford—a local perspective from Don Goertz.

Finding the Deeper Story of Where We Live

Earlier today, I spent some quiet time walking through The Reach Gallery Museum on Veterans Way.

If you haven’t visited recently, it’s one of those local treasures that quietly stops you in your tracks. Between the contemporary art installations and the historical archives, there is a vivid timeline that traces the ground we walk on every single day.

They currently have a compelling display on glaciers, paired with an interactive room that simulates the geological formation of our region dating back 25,000 to 50,000 years. As you watch the digital timeline roll forward, you witness colossal ice sheets grinding down rock, ancient riverbeds shifting, and the dramatic emergence of the mountains and valleys that frame our morning commutes.

Standing there, watching miles-thick ice retreat to reveal the Fraser Valley basin, it struck me: we spend so much time thinking about property lines, square footage, and floor plans, but how often do we pause to consider the story beneath our feet?

Every neighborhood in Abbotsford—from the quiet heritage lanes of Clayburn to the agricultural heart of Sumas Prairie and the vibrant shores of Mill Lake—carries the physical imprint of deep geological time and the diverse people who came before us.

Abbotsford, exploring the "Interglacial" display and the deep geological history of the Fraser Valley." />

Act 1: Carved by Ice (The Ancient Foundations)

Before there were roads, property titles, or street names, our entire valley was locked beneath the vast Cordilleran Ice Sheet.

Between 15,000 and 25,000 years ago, that immense weight of ice carved out the Fraser River trough and sculpted the peaks we admire every sunny day—Sumas Mountain, Vedder Mountain, and the benchlands of Abbotsford. When that ice slowly receded:

• It left behind colossal deposits of rich gravel, clay, and till.
• It carved deep depressions that would become ancient water systems.
• It gave Abbotsford its distinct topography—the natural terraces, rolling ridges, and fertile lowlands that still dictate how and where our city builds today.

When you look out over an East Abbotsford ridge at sunrise, you aren’t just looking at scenery; you are looking at the direct craftsmanship of ancient glacial meltwaters.

Act 2: The First Stewards (The People of the River)

Long before European settlers set foot in the valley, the Stó:lō ("People of the River") lived in profound relationship with this land.

Specifically, the Semá:th (Sumas) and Máthexwi (Matsqui) First Nations inhabited and cared for these territories for millennia. Their seasonal and permanent settlements were not dictated by gridlines or survey stakes, but by the rhythms of the water, the salmon runs, and the extraordinary abundance of the valley:

• Waterways as Highways: Canoes moved effortlessly through interconnected sloughs, lakes, and river channels.
• A Culture of Stewardship: Living in harmony with seasonal flooding, honoring the natural balance rather than fighting against it.
• Deep Cultural Ties: Every mountain peak, bend in the river, and shoreline held sacred stories, history, and spiritual significance that remain woven into the fabric of our region.

Acknowledging this presence isn't just about reading a historical plaque; it’s about recognizing that our modern communities sit on lands that were loved, stewarded, and respected for countless generations.

Act 3: When Sumas Prairie Was a Lake

One of the most remarkable parts of the museum’s presentation is the story of Semá:th Lake (Sumas Lake).

For many newcomers to Abbotsford, Sumas Prairie is simply a picturesque stretch of Highway 1 bordered by immaculate dairy barns and lush green fields. But just a century ago, that entire prairie was a shallow, 33,000-acre freshwater lake that would swell to more than 80,000 acres during spring freshets.

• An Ecological Jewel: Semá:th Lake was home to sturgeon, millions of migrating waterfowl, and vital freshwater food sources for the Semá:th people.
• The 1920s Engineering Feat: Between 1920 and 1924, engineer Fred C. Barrow oversaw one of British Columbia’s most audacious infrastructure projects—constructing the Vedder Canal, dykes, and the Barrowtown Pump Station to drain the lakebed and convert it into prime agricultural soil.
• A Living Memory: As we all witnessed during the November 2021 atmospheric river floods, nature has a long memory. The lakebed reminded us that we live in dynamic harmony with water, reinforcing the importance of ongoing infrastructure investments like the modern Barrowtown upgrades.

Act 4: From Timber to Kiln (The Birth of Our Neighborhoods)

As the 20th century dawned, Abbotsford’s identity shifted from a rugged frontier outpost into a thriving industrial and agricultural hub. Two distinct local stories highlight how our neighborhoods grew:

1. The Heritage of Clayburn Village (1905)

High up on the slopes of Sumas Mountain, prospectors discovered an exceptional deposit of rich fireclay. In 1905, the Clayburn Company established British Columbia's very first planned "company town."

• They built brickworks that produced millions of durable, heat-resistant bricks stamped with the famous "CLAYBURN" imprint.
• Those very bricks built chimneys, schools, and heritage landmarks throughout Vancouver, Victoria, and the Pacific Northwest.
• Today, walking through Clayburn Village—past the old brick cottages, the church, and the general store—feels like stepping back into a craftsman era defined by honest materials and enduring workmanship.

2. The Sawmills of Mill Lake

Before Mill Lake became the tranquil park and walking loop we cherish in Central Abbotsford, it was an industrious logging center.

• The Abbotsford Lumber Company, led by the Trethewey family, operated a massive sawmill on the lake’s northern edge.
• Vast old-growth Douglas fir and cedar were hauled down off the surrounding hills and floated across the water.
• The rail spurs of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the BC Electric Railway carried Fraser Valley lumber across the continent, directly funding the early homes and commercial buildings of Historic Downtown Abbotsford along Essendene and Montrose.

The "Don" Insight: Why History Changes How You Experience "Home"

Throughout my career in real estate and helping families with their moves in Abbotsford, I’ve had plenty of moments that humbled me.

Early on, it was easy to fall into the trap that many in real estate do—getting overly fixated on square footage, boundaries, and cosmetic finishes. Or focusing solely on development and profit. But when we look at a property, it’s worth pausing to remember how it came to be all those decades ago—and simply wondering at the incredible beauty of the place we call home.

It took time, multiple market cycles, and a few good lessons learned the hard way to realize that a home is never an island.

A home is part of a living ecosystem. When you understand:

• Why Sumas Prairie’s soil produces some of the finest crops in Canada,
• Why Clayburn has that peaceful, preserved sanctuary feel, or
• How the hills around Mill Lake transitioned from timberland into welcoming family subdivisions...

...your relationship with where you live changes. You stop seeing a house merely as a financial transaction and begin seeing it as your personal chapter in an ongoing community story.

Your Next Chapter in Abbotsford

Whether you are looking to right-size from a long-time family home into a low-maintenance condo, or you're a thoughtful first-time buyer wanting to lay down roots in a neighborhood you can be proud of, Abbotsford offers something rare: a modern city deeply connected to its natural and cultural roots.

If you’re contemplating a move or simply want to chat about what makes each corner of this valley special, my door is always open. Let’s sit down, grab a coffee, and explore where your story fits into our community's next chapter.

Best,

Don Goertz
Associate Broker | Royal LePage Little Oak Realty
Guiding Transitions with Care, Experience, and Local Understanding