Surrey/North Delta Leader celebrates 80th anniversary
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Updated: October 16, 2009 10:16 AM
In 1929, when a man in Cloverdale published the first issue of The Surrey Leader, he likely never would have imagined the incredible growth that would take place in the area – or that his small newspaper would be providing award-winning news and advertising to the community 80 years later.
The first issue of The Surrey Leader was published on July 17, 1929 by G.W.A. (Bill) Smith in Cloverdale. In his inaugural editorial he said it would be the paper's aim to assist in hastening the development of an already growing community.
"We have no use for knockers," he told readers, "but we do believe in constructive criticism, and while cheerfully allowing the other fellow the right to his opinion, we reserve to ourselves the same right."
An annual subscription in the 1920s and '30s cost one dollar.
Today, The Leader is delivered free to more than 86,700 homes, and hundreds of readers visit the newspaper's website on a daily basis.
The Leader held an open house on Oct. 15 at the Surrey Museum to mark the auspicious occasion of its 80th anniversary and Surrey Heritage Services prepared a slideshow of Leader images taken throughout the decades.
We hope you enjoy these photos that illustrate the community's rich history and look forward to serving you for many more years to come.
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