Ryder Lake was named for John Ferris Ryder, 1832-1916.
John Ferris Ryder was born ca. 1832 at Kingston, Ontario, the oldest of four children born to John and Mary (Ferris) Ryder. From oldest to youngest they were: John Ferris, who married Martha Gillanders ca. 1874, Cory Spencer (twin) who married Amanda Robinson, James (twin), and Matilda, married ? Harrison.
John Ryder arrived in the Chilliwack area 1864 and participated in the gold rush. He drove bull teams over the Cariboo Road and at the opening of the Great War, his ambition was to train a cavalry regiment. Ryder built the first Atchelitz bridge in 1873, and owned land at Ryder Lake, and had area named after him. He farmed at Cheam near Shannon / Little mountain. John Ferris Ryder passed away June 8, 1916.
Alternate spellings:
Ryder Lake has also been known as Chilliwack Bench and Parson’s Hill.
References:
- Mazurenko, B. (2009). Ryder Lake: The place the people. Ryder Lake, B.C.: Bea Mazurenko
Photograph caption: Portrait of John Ferris Ryder seated in saddle atop horse. [Chilliwack Museum and Archives photograph, P353].