The Birth of Mission City

Operated by the Mission District Historical Society, this year the Archives and Museum are staging new exhibits for Heritage Week that each highlight different aspects of the community’s storied past…

Among the many things that makes the City of Mission unique is its rich historic character that include its origin.

You can discover the captivating story of how Mission came to be through two versions of an exhibit by the Mission Community Archives titled: The Birth of Mission City. 

Centered on a replica of a rare 1891 Plan of Mission City (132 X 96.5 cm) donated to the Archives in 2024, a pop-up display at the Mission Leisure Centre features historic images corresponding with the milestone events surrounding the birth of Mission City in 1891.  

Scroll below to view the online version of the exhibit which tells the story behind Mission’s origin, spearheaded by Vancouver land developer James Welton Horne.  Organized into two parts: The Plan and The Outcome, this audio story-telling slideshow highlights pivotal events that dramatically impacted the birth of Mission City, including some of the setbacks.   

After viewing either exhibit, you can test your knowledge by scanning the QR Code to take The Birth of Mission City Fun Trivia Quiz

A very special thanks to Wes Yeomans who donated the 1891 of Mission City for preservation in the Community Archives and to The McPherson Family Foundation & Top Producers LTD. for sponsoring the restoration of the highly-treasured document.

To find out more about Mission’s heritage you can book a visit HERE