Henry Houston Scott Park
Henry Houston Scott Park honours one of the first African American families to settle in the area.
Operating hours
Dawn until Dusk
Address
Park information
This 0.12 hectare (0.3 acre) natural area park sits on a portion of the original Scott family property and is home to fruit trees planted by the family. The park is one of Surrey’s nature preserves and habitat corridors. The site pays homage to the Scott family's contributions to the community. A heritage sign that shares the Scott family’s story has been installed on the Cloverdale Greenway on the north side of 64 Avenue.
History
The Scott family was among the earliest black families to settle in Surrey in 1912 when Henry Houston Scott (b. 1854), his wife Amy (b.1864), and their three youngest children Roy, Jesse and Benola left Oklahoma and immigrated to Canada. Henry purchased a rough, seven-acre parcel of land along today’s 64 Avenue at 181A Street. The family took up farming and became well-known residents of Cloverdale. View the 1921 Canadian Census, showing the Scott family's names and occupations.
Roy worked at the local lumber mill and for CPR, and Jesse became a dairy farmer, oil refinery worker, and celebrated baseball player for the Iocal team. After her parents died in 1934, Benola took over care of the family house. When Benola died in 1971, she was laid to rest with her family in the Surrey Centre Cemetery, where a family grave stone was installed in 2018.
The current power transmission line crossed the Scott Farm in 1952 and the farm was subdivided in 1978. The orchard is all that remains. In spring, the blossoms tell of the Scott family’s endeavours to build a new life in Canada.
For more information on the naming of Henry Houston Scott Park, read the media release.
