Conclusion
Mission provides us with an excellent historical example of the intellectual pitfalls of periodization. While it is often helpful to frame different events under one overarching theme or period of history to help make sense of many of the conflicting complexities, it is not fully accurate. The Great Depression was undoubtedly a terrible time for millions and millions of people, but that does not mean that was the case for everyone everywhere. To understand the full scope of the Great Depression, we have to look where it did not look like much of a depression and ask ourselves why or why not that was the case.
Over the course of the Great Depression, Mission emerged with stronger institutions, stronger infrastructure, and a stronger community. From 1929 to 1939, we see Mission lay much of the foundation on which it would continue to grow up from over the coming decades. After 1939 Mission would be able power itself, keep its citizens connected, and keep them entertained unlike it had ever had the ability to do in the past. It is because of the geography, investment in, and spirit of Mission that it enjoyed the relative success to others it did during the Great Depression.
Aknowledgements
I recognize and acknowledge the Stó:lô First Nation, as well as all Coast Salish Peoples, on whose territories we live, learn, and work.
This website would not be possible without the support of many people. The first acknowledgements give full credit to my family that made my academic journey possible, and allowed me to pursue my intellectual endeavors that made projects like this come to fruition.
The guidance of professors Dr. Scott Sheffield and Robin Anderson helped make sense of both the history of the Fraser Valley, as well as how to make the fullest use of archive research trips to see the stories we discovered come to light. The feedback, and friendship of the peers in the class served to make this project that much better, and more fun for myself.
The largest influence in the shaping of this project, and for whom this project would be largely impossible without, was Val Billesberger from the Mission Community Archive. Val’s knowledge and resources taught me more about my hometown than I ever knew there was to know. I will always be grateful for the work I got to do on this project and how it made me understand my hometown and community that much more.
Amol Litt
For any inquiries or questions, please reach out by email to: amollitt@gmail.com
Follow my book review Instagram account for updates on history I am reading, and projects I am working on: @TheLittLibrary
Sources
Newspapers
Fraser Valley Record: Years 1929-1939. Some excerpts from 1948, 1955, 1956, 1989.
Secondary Sources:
On Mission history
Billesberger, Val. McLoughlin, J., Perret, D. Wheels in Motion: A History of Transportation in Mission. Mission Museum and Archives. 1984
Cherrington, John. Mission on the Fraser. Vancouver: Mitchell Press. 1974.
Miller, Charles A.Valley of the Stave. Surrey: Hancock House, 1981
Robertson, Betty,. Marcellus, Catherine., and Dandy, Betty. Mission’s Living Memorials. Mission Hospital, Friesen Printers. 1992.
Sleigh, Daphne. Mission City as it Was. Mission District Historical Society. 2017
Stanely, Meg and Wilson, Hugh. The Power of the Stave River: Station Normal. Vancouver: Douglas and McIntyre Ltd., 2001.
Background Great Depression sources:
Barman, Jean. The West Beyond the West: A History of British Columbia Revised Edition. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1996
Berton, Pierre. The Great Depression 1929-1939. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1990.
Broadfoot, Barry. Ten Lost Years 1929-1939: Memories of Canadians Who Survived the
Depression. Markham: Paperjacks, 1985.
Collins, Robert. You Had to be There: An Intimate Portrait of the Generation that Survived the Depression, Won the War, and Re-Invented Canada. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart Inc., 1997.
Additional Archive Materials folders:
Mission Post Office – 715.20.1
Ruskin – 808.01
Hydro – 525.2
Royal Canadian Legion – 675.21.21
Val Billesberger’s notes of Mission road infrastructure
Photos:
All from Mission Communtiy Archives
MCA-Mission-Map-1900s
MCA-Mission-Map-1930s-40s
MCA-0012-Album14-047-Ruskin-Powerhouse-Dam-1930
MCA-0012-Album14-140-Stave-Falls-Railway-Car-1930
MCA-0012-S52502-ALB14-PE75-0-001-Ruskin-Dam-1929
MCA-0055-184-019-Looking-East-From Legion-Hill-1934
MCA-0116-029-03-028-Main-Street-North-Side-of-First-Avenue-1934
MCA-0116-S01-SS635-001-Municipal-Hall-c1941
MCA-0116-S635-006-Municipal-Hall-c1953
MCA-0012-S6752021-ALB14-001-Legion-Building-c1930s-40s
MCA-0055-PR042-0035-Legion-Opening-1936
MCA-0055-PR042-0036-Opening-Legion-1936
MCA-0055-PR196-001-1st-Legion-Building-Photo-taken-1933
MCA-0003-PR290-087-Mission-City-Post-Office-1927
MCA-0055-PR057-001-Mission-City-Post-Office-1935