Barnston Island facts for kids
 Barnston Island
Location in Greater Vancouver Regional District
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 49°11′38″N 122°42′20″W / 49.19389°N 122.70556°W |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 155 (2001) |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
| • Summer (DST) |
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| Forward sortation area | V4N |
| Area codes | 604, 778, 236, 672 |
Barnston Island is a small island in British Columbia, Canada. It's located in the Fraser River, which flows through the Greater Vancouver area. Most of the island is managed by Metro Vancouver. A smaller part of the island is called Barnston Island Indian Reserve No. 3. This area is home to members of the Katzie First Nation. Even though the island isn't officially part of a city, people living there use Surrey for their mailing addresses.
Contents
About Barnston Island
Barnston Island was named in 1827 after George Barnston. He was a clerk for the Hudson's Bay Company. The island sits between the cities of Surrey and Pitt Meadows.
Getting to the Island
There are no bridges connecting Barnston Island to the mainland. You can only get there by taking a short ferry ride. The Barnston Island Ferry takes about 5 minutes. It crosses Parson's Channel from 104 Avenue in Surrey. The best part is, the ferry ride is completely free! Once on the island, the main road goes all the way around its edge.
What's on the Island?
Barnston Island is mostly covered in farmland. It's a quiet place where many people live. According to the 2001 census, 155 people call the island home. About 46 of these people live on the Barnston Island Indian Reserve. This reserve is located near the southeast part of the island.
Island History
Barnston Island got its name from George Barnston. He was an important person with the Hudson's Bay Company. He traveled with James McMillan to help start Fort Langley in 1827.
The island received electricity for the first time in 1938. This happened when an underwater cable was laid. The cable connected Port Kells to the south side of the island.
Life on Barnston Island
Barnston Island is home to a few local businesses. These include farms like Barnston Island Herbs and Painted River Farm. There are also cranberry farms, such as Apollo Cranberries.
Schools and Services
There are no schools directly on Barnston Island. Children living on the island go to schools in Surrey. Their education is provided by School District 36 Surrey. Students usually attend Bothwell Elementary and Fraser Heights Secondary School.
Island Population
The Barnston Island Indian Reserve No. 3 is part of the island. In 2011, Statistics Canada reported that 47 people lived there. These residents live in 18 homes. The Katzie First Nation manages this part of the island.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Barnston (Columbia Británica) para niños
