WPRRA History

55 years of community involvement

West Panorama Ridge's earliest residents arrived about 110 years ago. The Chris Brown house, (circa 1898) located on Coulthard Place, is generally considered the oldest dwelling still standing on the ridge. Chris Brown was one of the earliest pioneers in this area and is reputed to have owned all of the ridge and the farm properties to the edge of Mud Bay. Chris Brown had numerous sons, the most famous of which was Joe Brown. Joe was the Mayor of Surrey in 1936. Joe donated the land for what is now Joe Brown Park and Colebrook United Church. The original Joe Brown house still stands and is in excellent condition. It can be found at 12745 Southridge Drive.

It is generally believed that the West Panorama Ridge Ratepayers Association has been in existence for about 55 years. It was originally formed to try and maintain the rural nature of Panorama Ridge. We have been told that the WPRRA is one of the oldest community associations in B.C., and even after all these years, one of the most active.

The following article regarding the Joe Brown House appeared in the spring 2006 newsletter:

THE JOSEPH THOMPSON BROWN HOUSE Circa 1908

Joe Brown was one of Surrey’s early pioneers. His father, Chris Brown was one of the first settlers in the Panorama Ridge area and owned most of the land south of Highway 10 all the way to Mud Bay. Chris Brown’s original home still stands on what is now Coulthard Place and is probably the oldest building on Panorama Ridge. Joe Brown was the most notable of Chris’ sons, becoming the Mayor of Surrey in 1936. Joe Brown also donated the land to create Joe Brown Park and the parcel Colebrook Church sits on.

Joe Brown’s original home, a beautiful 1908 white “Colonial Revival” style, is now 12745 Southridge Drive. Joe passed his home on to his son Lloyd Brown, who lived in the home for over 65 years. The city of Surrey included this house in the 2002 Surrey Historic Register because of its architectural and historic significance. Lloyd revisited his former home in October, 1995, as he celebrated his 80th. Birthday, and shared some memories including the story of the near destruction of the home when a homemade cedar and candle Christmas decoration caught fire.

The house had a 32 volt generator/battery which provided power and was heated by wood/gas furnaces. The kitchen had a garbage burner attached to the chimney. The farm extended almost to Mud Bay. The Ridge was heavily treed and Japanese workers, who had been hired to clear the land, lived in abandoned lumber camps. Farm buildings were demolished over the years; the last barn, a traditional “pole” barn, was burned to the ground by vandals in 2001.

The house has been lovingly restored in recent years and an addition was added in 1996. Bob and Denise Campbell and their family currently enjoy living in the house and are pleased to share several photos of the original homestead. If you have any stories about life on The Ridge in years past, please call Joan Mayhew @ 597-5002 and educate your neighbors.