About White Rock
ABOUT WHITE ROCK
The city of White Rock has a population of 18,000 but the South Surrey populace swells that number to over 55,000. The area boasts the finest, warmest local climate in Canada receiving 32 percent less rainfall than the City of Vancouver. Located in the extreme south-west corner of the Lower Mainland, White Rock is just 45 minutes south of downtown Vancouver and 5 minutes north of Washington State.
White Rock has become the destination for Canadians all over the country.
Although many newcomers are retirees, there are a great number of families moving into the area as well. You will find housing of all categories in the Peninsula, from so called "starters" normally found on the hillside on smaller sized lots, to condominiums and townhouses, large family homes and waterfront bluff estates.
The area has a wide variety of churches available, as well as four significant shopping malls. A state of the art Winter Sports Centre and a Softball B.C. complex have recently been added to White Rock's exceptional range of recreational facilities. Whatever your pleasure might be, you'll be accommodated in Canada's answer to California's Carmel.
HISTORY OF WHITE ROCK
In 1858 a party of Royal Engineers, entrusted with the task of clearing a boundary line along the 49th parallel, set up camp at the east end of present day White Rock. However, the community itself did not begin until the construction in 1907 of the Great Railway line.
The new tracks opened in 1909 and the trains soon brought settlers to the fledgling community, resulting in the first school being opened in 1911, with one room and a total of eight students.
By 1912 it was deemed necessary by some of the residents and businessmen that a permanent structure be built for a port-of-entry. By timing the dismembarkment of a visiting Federal Government Cabinet Minister onto the existing rickety floating pier to coincide with high tide, they were able to convince the Minister of their very real need. Begun in 1914, the Pier was completed the following year on its present historic site.
In 1957, on April 15th, the City of White Rock was incorporated. Within its boundaries lay approximately two square miles of land and a population of approximately six thousand. Since that time the population of White Rock has almost tripled. The City has grown to become a vibrant area, a community of volunteers, artists, and of business people, a community of young and old. A city especially rich in human heritage.