In 1858, the Royal Engineers, of the Boundary Survey, [1858-1862] established a camp at Sumas near what would become, after 1942, the bridging area of the Royal Canadian Engineers. A depot to supply this camp, consisting of little more than a hut, was established near the mouth of the Sumas River where it enters the Fraser. This "hut" and the Hudson's Bay Company Saltery located near the same site were the first colonial structures built in Sumas.
Early settlement in the Sumas area focused upon the development of farmlands and through pre-emption several farms were developed. These farms included livestock rearing, dairy and grain production. Butter was a particular source of income for the early farmers in this area, and the Chadsey family farms, in Sumas, sold many pounds of butter to gold seekers on their way to the Cariboo.
A colonial post office was established, in 1867, at Miller's Landing, known as Sumas. The post office was situated in David W. Miller's store that he had built in 1866. By 1872, one year after British Columbia entered confederation, the post office opened as a Dominion Government post office and called Sumas.
The Sumas Methodist Church was one link in a chain of churches that tied Lower Fraser Valley population centers together. Many of the first Euro-Canadians to settle in the Sumas area arrived from Ontario, products of farming or small town backgrounds and members of the Methodist Church. The church, built in 1886 on land donated by George Chadsey, was the third Methodist Church in the Chilliwack area.
The church building has survived two major floods in 1894 and 1948, and bears the scars of these floods on a corner post where deep gouges mark the high water marks. Although repairs to parts of the building have stemmed the tide of deterioration, the only alteration to the original design appears to be a re-configuration of the front entrance. Completed before the turn of the century, this change was brought about because coffins could not be carried through the front door without being stood on end.
In 1925, the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches across Canada joined together to form the United Church. The Sumas congregation followed suit and the name was changed to the Sumas United Church.
In 1971, the church closed when declining attendance led to the congregation joining with Carman United Church in Sardis. Since that time the property has been sold several times and the building used by other church groups and businesses.
With settlement came the need for a school, and the Sumas School District was created, October 13, 1871. At first the school operated from a rented building leased at a cost of $5.00 per month. In the spring of 1873, a new school was opened on half an acre of land that was donated by George Chadsey. This original school was used for many years, and although condemned was used until 1927 when the new two-division Sumas School was completed.
The need for the new school had been urgent as enrolment had increased significantly, in the old school, when students from the "reclaimed land" of the Sumas Lake area started to attend the school. It was at this time that the land reclamation led to settlement of Mennonite families in the Sumas area.
In May 1927, the School Board approached council for a loan of $4000.00. The cost of the new school was split between the Government of British Columbia and the Municipality. Mr. J. M. Trotter of Chilliwack was the contractor. Plans included a basement, indoor washrooms and a sidewalk from the road to the building. The building was constructed so that future additions could be made. Trees and shrubs were added in March 1928 following a plan developed by the Sumas Parent Teachers Association.
On October 10, 1927 the new school was opened, with about 100 individuals in attendance. The Sumas ladies led by Mrs. F.W. Toop and Mrs. Arthur Zink provided supper to the parents, trustees, contractors and friends.
Further Mennonite settlement occurred in Sumas, in April 1930, when a large wooded lot of 686 acres, owned by the Northern Construction Company was subdivided into 28 lots from 18 to 25 acres each. The land occupied an area bounded by Adams Road, Hopedale Road, South Sumas Road and Sumas Prairie Road and was on offer at $42.00 per acre. The sale of this land was only available to Mennonite families and only after this land had been sold, would the land across from these roads be made available for further settlement. The sale of this tract of land led to the development of the commercial core of Sumas. As well, the completion of the Trans-Canada Highway, after the Vedder Canal Bridge was completed in 1925, ran through the area and many businesses were built along its corridor.
Flooding was a major problem and led to the draining of Sumas Lake, beginning in 1922 and the construction, in 1924, of the Vedder Canal. Although the addition of dykes, drainage ditches, additional drainage canals and a pump station at Barrowtown, the area was hard hit by the 1948 flood. At that time neglect had caused the dykes to be covered by trees, brushes and brambles. High waters in 1948 created flood conditions and the Sumas [Greendale] dyke failed. Today evidence of these 1948 floodwaters remains in existence, and may be seen at various Greendale landmarks, such as the Sumas Church.
A further reminder of when the old Trans-Canada Highway influenced Greendale's commercial development can be found with the few remaining cement mileage markers that might be seen along the length of what is now called Yale Road.
Greendale Roller Rink under water during the Fraser River flood of 1948. P1247
View of Sumas Methodist Church, built in 1886 on land donated by George Washington Chadsey. P5754
Class photo of South Sumas School, located on the southwest corner of Lickman and Keith-Wilson Roads, ca. 1894 - 1900. P4371.
Overhead view of Sumas Lake as seen from Majuba Hill, ca. 1910. P1987 167 2