Site Tour

Our tour starts at Trethewey House at 2313 Ware street on Mill Lake, Abbotsford, British Columbia. The Abbotsford Lumber Company built this "arts and crafts" style bungalow in 1920 for B.C. timber baron J.O. Trethewey.

This view of the kitchen reveals a wood burning stove that would have been used by the family.

This cabinet was a functional piece for storing large quantities of flour and sugar and was used primarily for preparing baked goods.

The kitchen leads into this dining room in which the original wood panelling is still preserved.

The outlet for the built in vacuum system, which was an original feature of the house.

The parlour contained both sofas and chairs for seating.

The sewing machine and desk are attached and act as one unit.

Situated on the main level of the house, the housekeeper's room is located next to the kitchen.

One of Abbotsford Lumber Company's logging sites. Note the man standing on logs

The second floor of the house contains the bedrooms and bathroom.

This bathtub located in the bathroom on the second floor is original to the house.

Joey Trethewey's bedroom, who was 8 years old when he occupied it. The paint colour was restored to match the original 1920 colour.

The dresser in Joey's room.

Mr. and Mrs. Trethewey's master suite located directly across from Joey's room.

The dressing room located in the master bedroom acted as a seperate room with a dresser. The Tretheweys would have dressed in this little room instead of the larger bedroom.

This building was reconstructed to the actual dimensions of the playhouse that Joey (8) played in.

Walking out from the Trethewey House parking area, you will reach John Mahoney Park entrance.

Looking south to north on Mill Lake you can see the original site of the lumber mill.

Looking further east, you can see the wharf for the original shingle mill.

Walking along the shore you see old pilings that held up the railway used to dump logs for sorting. This line continued across the border to Washington.

On the northshore of the lake and looking back is the site of the main shipping yard for the Abbotsford Lumber Company.

A closer view of the railway pilings.

Coming along the north shore, the site of the main sawmills can be reached.

This rock wall is passed on your way to the boardwalk. The sawdust from the mill accumulated in this area for over 30 years, thus changing the shape of the lake in this part.

Walking along the rock wall, a small garden area and then Mill Lake Road can be reached. In this photograph the original site of the Mill Store can be seen, located at the bus exchange at Seven Oaks Shopping Centre. Also the living quarters for European, Japanese, Chinese and Indo-Canadian men were located along this road.

The Sikh Gurdwara on Southfraser Way. This temple was the site of the first Punjabi school in B.C.

Directly across the street from the new Gurdwara is the original 1911 Gurdwara. It was designated a National Historic Site in 2002 and is currently being restored.

The additions to the original building can be seen from this profile portrait.

You can make your way back to the lake and boardwalk by retracing your steps.

A pleasant walk along the lake will give you sightings of the many water fowl and animals.

At the end of the boardwalk is Kariton House, home of the Arts Council.

Mill Lake empties under Kariton House and continues to the Fraser River.

Beautiful lilypads can be seen floating on Mill Lake. It is said that the wife of a Japanese mill worker for the Abbotsford Lumber Company brought them to Canada as a reminder of her family and country.

Walking past the spillway and a weeping willow is John Mahoney Park

Great picnics and a brand new children's park are features John Mahoney Park.

Returning to Trethewey House look to the left to see the Sylvia Pincott Heritage Habitat Garden.

The habitat garden contains dead trees for habitat and many plants to attract small birds and animals.

The path from the Sylvia Pincott Habitat Garden leads to the Rose garden and arbour with bench.

Memorial bench and rose garden. Trethewey House and site are a great place for your wedding or other special occasion.