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Clayburn Village in Abbotsford hosts centennial event

Historical society celebrates 100 years
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Part of the Clayburn Company brick plant showing kilns, sheds and elevated tracking. The Vancouver Fireclay Company and village were established in 1905, when John Charles Maclure discovered good quality fireclay nearby. Tests indicated the clay was fireclay, suitable not only for construction grade products but also for bricks and flues that could withstand high temperatures. THE REACH P105

Note: this story originally suggested the celebration is open to the entire public. That’s not the case, as organizers only have limited space. Only village

The Clayburn Village Community Society is celebrating its centennial Sunday.

Clayburn Village is located at the foot of Sumas Mountain and is the first “company town” in B.C. The town was built by the Clayburn Company – a brick plant – to provide employee housing and services.

It supported three stores, a bank, a school and a church.

Although only the foundations of the Clayburn plant now remain, half of the original homes, a store, the church and the schoolhouse have survived over the years.

The Clayburn Village Community Society formed in 1917.