Agassiz Yesterday

Louis Agassiz preempted a claim in 1862 which he called Fernie Coombe. This soon became the first store and post office. Hops, corn and dairy operations made use of the fertile land. When the Canadian Pacific Railway was constructed the local station was named "Agassiz." The Aberdeen Hotel was built in 1888, owned and operated by Mr. McDonald McRae. It was named after Lord and Lady Aberdeen of Scotland, after their stay at the hotel, later to be known as the Agassiz Hotel and Travellers Inn. Hops were first planted in 1892 but the flood of 1948 saw the end of hop production and some small farming operations, due to the high price of hay. Corn became a major crop and Agassiz soon became known as the "Corn Capital of BC." The dairy industry continues to be one of the area's strongest agricultural activities.

Agassiz takes its name from Captain Lewis N. Agassiz, who was a Cariboo Gold Rush prospector, later settling in the area in 1867. (Akrigg).