Sunrise Valley
Sunrise Valley is located approximately 38 km (24 miles) northwest of Dawson Creek, within a large expansive valley lying east of the Kiskatinaw River. The valley is located near the end of the 216 Road, west of Farmington and Highway No. 97 N, and north of Highway No. 97 S. This farming community is comprised of large agriculture holdings, almost entirely quarter-section parcels within the Agricultural Land Reserve. It has a wide range of agriculture operations such as cereal crops, forage crops, cattle, sheep, and swine.
Sunrise Valley’s history is said to have started around the year 1928. The first homesteaders to take up residents in this area were the Day brothers, Joe and George. In the spring of 1929 a young man named Walter Haddow and a friend, Ernie Dilworth, moved from Edmonton to settle in this valley, buying land at the local Government agent office in Pouce Coupe. Mr. Haddow opened the first general store in Sunrise Valley. An unused community hall still stands in the community with the Sunrise Valley Graveyard. Green post boxes provides postal service throughout the rural area of approximately 100 people.
Community Facilities
| Facility | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Parkland Elementary School | 5104 Parkland Rd, Plan 22694 SW ¼ 10-80-17 | Built in 1977, 10 acre site |
| Mountain View Cemetery | SE¼ 17-79-17 | ~1 acre site |
Visitor Comments
I believe I may be distantly related to Walter and Mary Haddow on my paternal side and I have a photo of our Bessie and her horse outside a "Shack" home. Around 46 is years ago they visited with my parents in Edinburgh. My father comes from an ajoining town and was also educated at Mid Calder School. Lovely to read your stories and your place name came from deep within my memory today and I was so delighted to read Walters story.New to Lap top world . Sheena
There will a reunion for the Ft.St.John Students Dormitory. It will be held in August 2012. For details please contact Regina Hensel or email at henselregina@live.com or call 778-866-1736
Since many names and addresses have changed over the years we would appreciate your help in getting this message out at your meetings. Thank-you.
I would like to learn more of the history of the people in the sunrise and bessbourough area.
The history of Sunrise Valley and Bessborough can be found at www.calverley.ca/table2004.html
Sunrise Valley: www.calverley.ca/Part14-Pouce%20Coupe%2C%20etc/14-11.html
Bessbourough: www.calverley.ca/Part14-Pouce%20Coupe%2C%20etc/14-09.html
There is also additional information in the book "Dawson Creek: Past and Present, An Historical Sketch" available at the Dawson Creek Library.