Cover Photo From The Reach Gallery Museum p42406
Abbotsford is a place many people are proud to call home. It’s a city full of local boutiques, farm-to-table restaurants, and cultural experiences. It’s a place with a strong sense of community, blending the excitement of urban living with laid-back living. Brimming with charm, heart, and innovation, residents and visitors alike have endless opportunity to cultivate connection in this community. But more than anything, Abbotsford is home to a rich, dynamic history that still breathes through the streets today.
Throughout the planning process of our upcoming project the Rail District, we felt a responsibility to preserve Abbotsford’s sense of history and use it to tell a story in our master-planned community. We’d love to give a little insight into the history that shaped the area of the Rail District.
The Abbotsford Railway
1891-1915
The arrival of the first railway running through Abbotsford came about in 1891, followed by a townsite we now refer to as the “Historic Downtown.” As railways crisscrossed through Abbotsford moving in all different directions, commercial development and connection to the outside world was possible.
The original CPR station around which the town grew has not survived to present day. However, the history lives on in the winding tracks and community charm, as new areas such as the Rail District work to preserve the essence of the railway’s history.
The Clayburn Brick Factory
1904-1906
Let’s back up to 1904, when the Maclure family (originally of Scottish descent) discovered a specialized fire-resistant clay hidden in the Sumas Mountain. This great find sparked a flow of financial capital as well as the creation of BC’s first company town, Clayburn. The village and brick plant were built in 1905 by Charles Maclure, son of John Cunningham Maclure who was the former Royal Engineer turned BC pioneer. Upon the discovery of these rich clay deposits, Charles Maclure brought investors on board to create the Vancouver Fireclay Company Ltd. As the only brick supplier on BC’s coast to produce this variety of coloured and specialty bricks, products were shipped worldwide and were also used to create many buildings throughout Vancouver. By 1906, Clayburn was the sole manufacturer of firebrick in BC.
1918-1950
In response to the high demand for firebrick during the First World War, Clayburn bought out their nearest rival, Kilgard Fireclay Company in 1918. Now the most dominant brick company in the province, Clayburn flourished all the way through to the Great Depression of 1930. Sadly, it was too expensive to run two brick sites, so the Clayburn plant was forced to close. However, as Kilgard was stationed closer to the Sumas Mountain, it remained open and even expanded to accommodate Clayburn’s brick manufacturing on top of distribution.
Kilgard survived the First World War and the Great Depression, only to be struck by a devastating fire in 1949 that burned the site to ashes. Ever resilient, the plant was immediately rebuilt and was completely operational by 1950.
1950-1989
In 1950, on the site that is now the Rail District, a new state-of-the-art plant was built in downtown Abbotsford. Conveniently placed beside the railway, the Clayburn Brick Factory started production on May 10th of that same year. While the plant was bought by a US company in 1968, company employees in 1974, and an Alberta clay manufacturing company in 1989, the name “Clayburn Industries” remained. A true testament to the respect, relevance, and nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic this village holds. As the location of our newest master-planned community, we hope to continue this tradition of tenacity and communal culture in the Rail District.
2011-2022
Throughout the years, Clayburn has grown and developed alongside the city of Abbotsford. After over 100 years of brick manufacturing in the Fraser Valley, Clayburn Industries Ltd. permanently closed on July 29th, 2011. However, “the Clayburn name is not gone,” said Clayburn president and CEO, David Lane. While the Clayburn plant has closed, they expanded their business internationally.
Clayburn remains a historic village which is upheld by its residents and by the Clayburn Village Community Society (CVCS). Owners of the historic church, school, and park, the CVCS also preserves and protects the historic buildings and educates the public about the village’s history. This is done through the volunteer-run Clayburn Village Museum as well as The Reach Gallery Museum.
While the Clayburn Brick Company built Clayburn Village (the very first company town in British Columbia), it also created a tight-knit community that continues to flourish today. The Clayburn legacy exists in the historic buildings, street names and very identity of this place—and that’s a connection to the past worth celebrating.
Infinity Properties x The Rail District
Abbotsford is shaped by its history. This has been essential throughout the development of our master-planned community, the Rail District. A cultural and historic hub, the Rail District upholds a legacy of dedication, collaboration, and tenacity that’s been ingrained in Abbotsford since its earliest days.
From the original railway station that sparked the town’s growth to the winding tracks that encouraged worldwide travel to the brick plants that created financial prosperity and opportunity throughout the province, Abbotsford is steeped in rich, local history.
While it’s a city full of natural resources, it’s the passion, determination, and spirit of the community that have truly shaped this place. A place full of character, we are forever grateful to take Abbotsford’s foundation for industry, ingenuity and innovation, and mold it into a thoughtfully designed community.
