A Brief History:
Cloverdale, a historical gem in Surrey, has a rich heritage. The name Cloverdale was first inspired by William Shannon, one of the first settlers to the region. Named for the charming abundance of clover that blanketed the area, Mr. Shannon decided to register the name "Clover Valley" in Victoria so postal facilities could be made available for the area. The name "Cloverdale" eventually evolved by the railway engineers who worked at the station at Clover Valley.
Around 1872 settlers started to arrive in the region known as Surrey Centre. One of the first settlers was Abraham Huck and his wife Nancy who arrived from Kansas. Their home was south of Christ Church, which is presently a heritage site at Surrey Centre Cemetery on old McLellan Road. Soon other families including the Shannon family, the Thrift family and the Boothroyd family all settled at Surrey Centre. Over time a municipal hall was built to support the growing area. Abraham Huck donated an acre of land for the construction of the hall at Surrey Centre.
In 1938, the original hall was relocated to Cloverdale, to keep with the growing development of the town. Today this hall is an integral part of the Surrey Museum at 60th and 176th. Cloverdale had a proper train station that boasted the convergence of three railroads. Better roadways were significant to the growth of the town, and Surrey Council passed plans for a Pacific Highway in 1910. The highway was completed on Aug 3, 1923, and instigated a new gateway for travel and tourism between Blaine and New Westminister.
Cloverdale continues to be proud of its "western farm life' image. In 1945 Jack Shannon and Clarke Greenaway established the first rodeo in Cloverdale. Their message: "The West Goes Wilder". Thus started a tradition that is still celebrated today. The annual Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition has grown to become the second largest professional rodeo in Canada, drawing spectators from all over North America. The rodeo remains part of the legacy of Cloverdale's unique western heritage.