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Whonnock is a rural, naturally treed, and hilly community on the northern slope of the Fraser River in the eastern part of the City of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. It is approximately thirty-five miles (56 kilometres) east of Downtown Vancouver on British Columbia provincial highway 7, the Lougheed Highway.
Whonnock borders on three other historical Maple Ridge communities. To the west the borders is 256th Street with the community of Albion. The upper Kanaka Creek is the border with Webster’s Corners. To the east Whonnock Creek forms the natural border with the community of Ruskin. The border of Whonnock to the north is the municipal border and to the south its boundary is the Fraser River. Some outsiders view Thornhill, the western part of Whonnock, as a separate community.
The name Whonnock is derived from a Halkomelem word for humpback salmon or pink salmon, the only kind of salmon to ascend Whonnock Creek. Whonnock Creek flows from the north, above Dewdney Trunk Road, south to the Fraser River passing Whonnock Lake.
Whonnock Indian Reserve No. 1 is located at the confluence of Whonnock Creek and the Fraser River. This Reserve is under the jurisdiction of the Kwantlen First Nation, headquartered on McMillan Island at Fort Langley.
Whonnock Lake, at the heart of Whonnock is a typical bog lake. The only regular water input is from the north. There is an exit to Whonnock Creek on the south-east side. Whonnock Lake Park, offers a stand of mature trees, a grassy playground, and a small sandy beach —swimming, hiking, and nature study.
The park is home to native plants and thriving colonies of beavers and muskrats, as well as to breeding populations of loons, mallard ducks, and numerous small birds. The lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout, and supports a substantial recreational fishery.
Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club (RCKC), a flat-water sprint-paddling club, based at Whonnock Lake.
Whonnock Lake Centre serves in the first place as community hall for Whonnock residents and the home of RCKC. It is well-known location for weddings and other events. In 2013, after taking care of the operation of the Centre for 25 years the Whonnock Community Association transferred the management of the Centre to the City of Maple Ridge.
Fire Hall No. 2 in Whonnock was built in 1974. The area covered by Hall No. 2 reaches from 256th Street east to the Mission border.
Whonnock has a post office and a postmaster since 1885. The post office building of today dates back to ca. 1932.
Whonnock is served by School District 42 Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows.
There has been a school in Whonnock since 1885.
The only retail business in in a store building in Whonnock today is the McFli Feed Store in the old Red and White Store building
Lumberyards and mills continue to be active on the waterfront until the present day although today on a smaller scale than before.
Many of the residents of Whonnock keep horses, and have poultry, sheep, goats and llamas. There are some small tree and fruit farms.
Numerous artisans call Whonnock home such as weavers, spinners, potters, leather craft workers and candle makers. |
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