The first non-Native people to settle in this area were the Oblates of
Mary Immaculate led by Father Fouquet in 1862. Eager to share their faith
and protect the Stó:lo from the less-than-pious influence of prospectors
fresh from the Caribou Gold Rush. The O.M.I. established a residential
school and church called St. Mary's, which remained in operation until
1969.
The
first St.Mary's school was located on the bank of the Fraser River by
D'Herbomez creek. (Near the present day Chamber of Commerce office) The
constuctoin of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1883 caused St. Mary's
to relocate further up the hill to what is now known as Fraser River Heritage
Park. The second school was built on a large scale and eventually comprised
10 buildings. This school remained in operation until 1961 when a third
school site was built to the east by the Federal Government Department
of Indian Affairs. The 1961 site is now under the direction of the local
Stó:lo First Nations for education and business interests.
About the Museum - Soap
Box Derby - General Tour
Local History - Teachers
Corner
