Dennis Cardy sent us this photo of the Fort Langley CNR Station shortly after it was moved 240 metres down the track to its present location. The station will be getting a new roof in the next few weeks; another one of our off-season projects. In this 1984 photo the sawmill is still operating where today's Bedford Landing stands. The fir tree in the left foreground now towers over the station. Lots more about the CN Station HERE.
Lyle Longstaff and Gerry Landsman mapping out new backdrop (Helen Williams photo) It may be the off season at the Fort Langley CNR Station, but lots is happening behind the scenes. We're excited to report that artist Lyle Longstaff is creating a new scenic backdrop for the Glen Valley Railway that is inside our 1920s caboose. CNR Station Manager Helen Williams and long time model railway volunteer Gerry Landsman have been working with Lyle to develop a new scenic backdrop that will be to the same scale as the model railway. We're so lucky that Lyle has volunteered to do this for Langley Heritage Society -- some of his paintings have been featured on our web page and Facebook previously (see last two photos below). Lyle grew up in the steam era and says as a painter this is his real love. It's hard to believe he started painting about [...]
Heartbreaking. Frank Horne was a Motorman on the BC Electric Interurban line until passenger service ended in 1950. In this film footage we hear his reaction to watching the last of the old wooden cars burn beneath the Burrard Street Bridge. (Seven cars were saved from the intentional destruction.) Fortunately the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway has restored Interurban cars to working order, and you can take a ride at their Cloverdale Station (May - September with a special Christmas Electric Express). The shop and Discovery Centre where volunteers do this incredible restoration work is named after Frank, who also volunteered there for many years. Find footage HERE.
Sharon Fisher from the Native Daughters addressed the November 19th Douglas Day Banquet -- an annual gathering of Langley's pioneers. This year Alice Johnson (a LHS member) was made a Freewoman of Langley Township for all of her volunteer efforts in the community; the area's heritage homes were also highlighted. Here are Sharon's remarks: "Greetings to everyone here and a special greeting to our pioneers, my fellow Native Daughters who are all descendants of pioneer families and special mention for my friend Alice Johnston on her honor today. For all of us “Home” is where our stories begin! For our earlier pioneer families, they mostly came from someplace else either working on the railway, or attracted by the lure of the gold discovery and other jobs that would earn enough money to enable a stake in a homestead grant. First the land had to be cleared and typically the [...]
There was a full house Friday at the Fort Langley Community Hall for the annual Douglas Day Dinner, held in honour of the Father of British Columbia who declared the colony of British Columbia at Fort Langley in November 1858. Thanks to Glenn Disney for sharing these photos. Guest speaker (and LHS member) Jim Foulkes talked about researching the Henry Houston Scott family, former U.S. slaves who made a home in Cloverdale. A park has been named in their honour at their old homestead on 64th Avenue.
Photos from Murrayville and Fort Langley cenotaph ceremonies. Thanks to Glenn Disney at Murrayville and Mark Forsythe in Fort Langley. Langley Heritage Society also laid wreaths at Aldergrove and Langley City.
A Centurion tank from the Korean War has been loaded onto a CNR car in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for transport to Aldergrove. The railway is sponsoring the cost of moving this last known Canadian tank to be on the front lines during the Korean War (1950 - 1953). It will be housed at the Western Museum of the Armed Forces a permanent location is found. It's hoped the tank will arrive in time for the November 11th Remembrance Day ceremonies at Aldergrove and will be on display near the Aldergrove Legion Cenotaph. The museum accepts visitors by appointment at 604-856-8072. The Korean War saw more than 25,000 Canadians serve, and 516 Canadians gave their lives. Next year will mark 70 years since the onset of the war. Update from Bob Long: "Centurion will be offloaded from CN Railcar on Sunday, November 10 for transport to Aldergrove. It will participate in the [...]
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