City history
Discover the history and timekeeping evolution of Surrey, British Columbia, from its colonial naming to its role as a modern transit hub.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Named after the English county"
A specific indigenous name for the settlement is not reliably documented; the name was adopted by settlers inspired by the English county of Surrey.
Named after the English county
The name was officially adopted by early residents and surveyors to honor the administrative county of Surrey located in England.
Chapter two
The adoption of standardized time zones across North America helped regulate railway schedules, facilitate commerce, and provide a consistent temporal framework.
British Columbia standardized the use of Daylight Saving Time to align with regional economic, social, and agricultural activities throughout the province.
Chapter three
Surrey was officially incorporated as a municipality, marking its historical transition to organized local government and formal administrative control.
The development of early road networks and essential local services facilitated continued settlement and growth throughout the growing region.
The expansion of the regional rapid transit system began connecting the growing community of Surrey to the broader Lower Mainland area.
Planning and progression for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension aimed to significantly improve regional transit connectivity and urban mobility.