Semiahmoo is east of White Rock, near the British Columbia-Washington border. The name comes from the Coast Salish Semiahmoo people. According
to Scott, the word “semiahmoo” is often reported to mean half moon, referring to the shape of the shoreline, but historians note that this translation
is dubious at best.1
In this despatch, Douglas reports that Drayton harbour, located within the Semiahmoo area, possesses great natural advantages for trade being accessible by land from Semiamhoo, having
deep water, a bold shore and good anchorage. The land is also clear of trees, and
was surveyed at a very small expense, and therefore perfectly suiting our pecuniary
means.
1. Andrew Scott, The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names (Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing, 2009), 536-537.