Street Names Tell Mission’s Story

Have you ever wondered where your street got its name?  The City of Mission is one of the few communities in British Columbia that honours and promotes the community’s heritage and identity through its street naming. As such, our street names reflect our local history.

On Monday, February 19^th, the Mission Community Archives is launching a NEW virtual exhibition titled Mission Street Stories.

The exhibit will feature short narratives behind 21 street names that include: historical figures who are considered to have had an impact on our community; residents who have served or lost their lives for our freedom; and Mission’s historic neighbourhoods. 

GO HERE to the discover stories behind Mission’s street names by clicking on the images within each of the five maps: Hatzic, Silverdale-Silverhill, Stave Falls, Upper Mission Urban Area, and Lower Mission Urban Area.  A special thanks to Richard Skelton from the City of Mission’s Engineer Department who provided and customized the maps used in this exhibit.

In this feature documentary (1hr 24 m), co-directors Hayley Gray and Elad Tzadok explore through a collage of personal interviews, archival footage, and deeply rooted memories some of the efforts and challenges faced by Archives in British Columbia to preserve a more inclusive historical record. Featured are leaders from four underrepresented communities in Archives: Indigenous Peoples, South Asians, LGBTQ+ and Chinese-Canadians.

The film will be introduced by Archivist Val Billesberger who has endeavored to build an inclusive Archives in Mission, taking care to acquire and make accessible the records of historically excluded and minoritized groups.

Unarchived is produced and distributed by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).

To find out more about the film click here

An award winning eye opening film about the erasure of minority history and the communities who are challenging it. A ticket is required to see the film. Get yours today on Eventbrite!

We’re excited to be participating in the July 14^th Summer Market at Fraser River Heritage Park!

Visit our booth between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:30PM where you can purchase quality items inspired by the thousands of historic images housed in the Mission Community Archives, including: vintage postcards, buttons, notecards, and a limited edition caricature map of Fraser River Heritage Park.

At the market we are launching a new postcard series that includes images of Mission’s first Dairy Queen, Mission Raceway, and the 1968 Soap Box Derby.

There will be a FREE DRAW for the framed panoramic view of Mission’s first swimming pool which opened July 13^th, 1952 – one of the most popular posts on our social media to date!  

SEE YOU at the Park on July 14^th, 2023!