Surrey City Overview
(Go to Surrey Sport Hotels Section)

Being so close to the delta of the Fraser River, Surrey has long been a thriving place of many forms of life. The Coast Salish are believed to have been the first known people to have lived in the area, at least four centuries ago or more. Many believe they came in migrations from the Okanagan area and they may have met other aboriginal people who were already in the Surrey area. They may have come along the fiords and other water ways along the coast. How long these water people were here is not known for sure. Recent archeological digs in Mission suggest a much earlier time.

In what is now the Greater Vancouver area they found a land of plenty. Rich with salmon, berries, birds and game, the Salish found a much milder climate than is found in the interior. To these people, Salmon was the center of their lives. It was more than just their bread. The Salish believed the Salmon were not fish at all but mystical people in disguise. They revered the salmon and regarded the first spring runs with great ceremony.

European exploration and settlement began in Surrey in the nineteenth century. Just North of Surrey, on the Fraser river, the Hudson's Bay Company established Fort Langley around 1826. It is now a federal park and heritage site. So began an era of development, technology, agriculture and population growth for Surrey which is still continuing today.

The origin of the naming of Surrey is whimsical. When residents were deciding what to call the fledgling municipality, one among them happened to look over the Fraser to New Westminster. He was H.J. Brewer from England and he recalled another river view across the Thames to old Westminster in England. As Surrey, England and Westminster are divided by the Thames the idea of SURREY seemed a natural choice and his suggestion was accepted!

The sea and the Fraser were both allies to commerce as well as foes. Even though fishing, boat-building and sea-trade were obvious industries in a way these waters betrayed progress more than once. As with Pitt Meadows and Richmond the land was low-lying and spring freshets, melting snow and the strength of tides were always challenges for the early settlers of Surrey.

Surrey has great opportunities for sport tournaments of all kinds. Sport tourism is a part of Surrey and features hockey, baseball, softball, basketball, soccer and a host of other sports.