Deas Island

Historic Burrvilla house

Deas Island is a peninsula on the Fraser River in British Columbia. The peninsula is between the cities of Delta and Richmond. It is named after John Sullivan Deas, a former slave from South Carolina and cannery owner who worked in the peninsula in 1873.[1][2]

The peninsula is known for the George Massey Tunnel which is located on Deas Island. It is also home to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

A Greek settlement lived on the peninsula from between 1895 until sometime in the 1940s.[3] There are three notable buildings on the island. A house called Burrvilla; a small schoolhouse called Inverholme, and the Delta Agricultural Hall. The Burrvilla house is home to British Columbia's largest colony of bats.[4]

Today, the island is home to Deas Island Regional Park and is a popular bird watching location.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "John Sullivan Deas: A Black Entrepreneur in British Columbia Salmon Canning". The British Columbian Quarterly. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Canada 150: John Deas built first commercial salmon cannery". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Greek settlers endured tough conditions on Deas Island". Delta Optimist. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  4. ↑ "In this B.C. mansion, a massive bat colony hangs on for dear life". Maclean's. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Deas Island Regional Park". Vancouver Is Awesome. Retrieved December 19, 2024.