
Harrison Mills, BC, is located on the north side of the Fraser River almost directly north of the City of Chilliwack and 19.5 kilometres west from the crest of the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge. A quiet rural area pressed against the Coastal Mountains and bisected by the Harrison River its way to the Fraser. This is a community steeped in the history of the First Nation people and then European settlers whose primary mode of transportation was first the rivers and then the railway. Time has transformed this area from busy lumber mills and a railway hub (read the previous post) into the quiet mainly farming community of today. There are exceptions and that is the renaissance of types north of the Harrison River Bridge in the shape of the Sandpiper Golf Resort and a number of exciting residential developments including Eagle Point, Harrison Lane at Sandpipers and the River's Reach.
I can remember my introduction to the homes at the three aforementioned developments and was taken by their good quality, size and price. Today, this area is still suffering the effects of the recession and new building has for the most part stopped. Lots are very reasonably prices starting at $99,900 and new houses are available from $379,900 as of this posting date. It is a great time to a buyer. To find out what is available go to www.realtor.ca, click Residential and type in Harrison Mills beneath the question "where do you want to look".


The Harrison Mills and Sandpiper areas are somewhat unique in their proximity to nature and their quiet and serene backdrops. The disadvantage of the area is this same remoteness, Agassiz has the closest grocery store and it is 15 minutes away. There are no schools in the immediate vicinity.
Other issues to be aware of include: (1) the floodplain requirements for construction – they have to be above the 200 year floodplain elevation; (2) domestic water in the rural portion is from well sources and should be tested by an accredited laboratory, and, (3) if a septic tank and field is involved there has to be sufficient distance from it and the well source. A good local real estate agent can help guide you through these and other concerns but they bear keeping in mind.
The next post will wrap up this area with some addition pictures of this quite marvellous area.
