Langley

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History

Langley is known as 'The community of Communities' and is made up of TWO separate municipalities: Langley City and the Township of Langley.

The Township of Langley is made up of various communities, including Aldergrove, Brookswood/Fernridge, Fort Langley, Murrayville, Walnut Grove, Willowbrook and Willoughby. The Township occupies 316 square kilometres (122 square miles) and is home to approximately 100,000 residents.

The City of Langley occupies 10 square kilometres (4 square miles) and has a population of approximately 23,500.

The Township of Langley originally represented the entire area, but after a minor political squabble during the early 1950s, the residents of Langley Prairie voted to sucede and form their own municipality. Thus Langley City was born on March 15th, 1955.

Despite any initial political differences, and despite the sharing of a name- which inevitably confuses new tourists and BCLCA webmasters, both communities work together to ensure the economic and social growth of the entire Langley area.

The Township of Langley

British Columbia joined confederation on July 20, 1871, upon the promise of a railway link with the new Dominion of Canada. On April 26, 1873, the Municipality of Langley was incorporated, one of the first areas in British Columbia to do so, and James W. Mackie was elected its first warden.

The Township remained largely rural in nature as New Westminster, and later Vancouver, became the focus of urban settlement in the lower mainland. Langley's growth through the first half of the 20th Century was for the most part slow and steady. The construction of the Fraser Highway in the 1920's and the construction of the Patullo Bridge in 1937 increased the importance of Langley Prairie in the commercial life of the area. The Trans-Canada Highway was completed through Langley in 1964.

Rapid population growth experienced in the Greater Vancouver area in the late 1960's and early 1970's led to the establishment of the Agricultural Land Commission in 1972. Much of rural Langley was included in an Agricultural Land Reserve, ensuring that future growth would be directed to land of minimal agricultural significance.

In 1979, the Langley Official Community Plan was adopted to guide development in the Township. Urban growth has been directed to areas such as Brookswood, Aldergrove, Willowbrook, Murrayville, and Walnut Grove, while major industrial and commercial developments have been designated in Northwest Langley, Willowbrook, Aldergrove and Gloucester Industrial Estates.

Langley City

The first European settlers in what is today the City of Langley, were William and Adam Innes, two brothers who came to British Columbia from near London, Ontario with the intention of freighting to the Cariboo goldfields. The early pioneers had to settle in a semi-circle to the east, south and west between the Hudson Bay farm and the foot of the highland. 

The original settlement at Langley City was known as "Innes Corners", and later was called "Langley Prairie" when the post office was transferred there in 1911. This was one of the many small communities established in the area, separated from other settlements by large tracks of farm land and bush. The construction of the Inter-Urban railroad (BC Electric Railway) in 1910 resulted in significant growth in the community. 

The area along (Old) Yale Road developed into a major business and service centre and attracted trade from all over Langley. Continued growth resulted in the demand for higher levels of service in the community and on March 15, 1955, the City of Langley, with its current boundaries, was incorporated as a separate municipality.

In the years since incorporation, the population has grown from an initial poplulation of 2,025 to an estimated 24,000 today.

Note: Henceforth, 'Langley' will be used in the singular form to denote both Langley City and the Township of Langley.

Location

Langley is located in the Fraser Valley, between Abbotsford and Surrey. It is south of the Fraser River, and just north of the United States border. It is approximately 40 minutes from Vancouver, and can be reached via Highways 1 and 7.

Places to See

• Langley Centennial Museum

The Langley Centennial Museum is owned and operated by the Township of Langley and is located in the historic Village of Fort Langley. As the name implies, the Museum was a provincial centennial project, although its collections and involvement with heritage dates back to the 1920s with the community organization, Native Sons. The Museum opened in 1958 and today, after more than 40 years of offering exhibits, programs and other heritage services, continues to grow and expand its role in the community of Langley.

• BC Farm Machinery and Agricultural Museum

The BC Farm Machinery and Agricultural Museum contains a vast collection of equipment from the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries: carriages, buckboards, wagons, gas-powered choppers, tractors- they're all here! Look for the restored and workable 1890s sawmill, as well as the blacksmith shop and the beekeeping, dairy, and poultry exhibits. Located just a block away from the Centennial Museum.

• Sendall Gardens

The Sendall Gardens feature 3.67 acres of beautiful and unique plants, shrubs and trees. There are several varieties of wildfowl to observe, including geese, swans and ducks. This park is a popular location for wedding and family photos. The tropical greenhouse offers a wide variety of colourful exotic plants.

• Michaud House

This historic 1888 house is the current home of the Langley Arts Council.

• Canadian Museum of Flight

Open year-round, this museum houses over 25 aircraft, both static and flying. The aircraft range from a WWII Handley Page Hampden to a T-33 Silverstar, as well as the only displayed Handley-Page Hampden in the world. Located at the Langley Airport.

• Nicomekl River Floodplain

Enjoy a great bike ride or a long walk along these meandering parkland trails, and enjoy the natural wetlands of regional significance.

• Langley City Park

This city park features Al Anderson Memorial Pool, a water park, 4 ball diamonds, 1 football field, 1 mini and 2 adult soccer fields, a playground, an outdoor lacrosse box, 4 horse shoe pits, the Langley Arts Centre and Community Music School, and 32 picnic tables (20 sheltered) with 2 BBQ grills.

• Mountain View Conservation Centre

Mountain View Conservation Center is host to some of the world's most endangered species. From aardwolves to zebras, the Center contains many amazing creatures from all over the world: fossa & lemurs from Madagascar, Cape Hunting Dogs (now considered to be the most endangered carnivores in Africa), Masai giraffes, pygmy hippopotami- to name only a few. From cheetah to clouded leopards, there are over 15 species of wild cats alone!

• Greater Vancouver Zoo

The Greater Vancouver Zoo is dedicated to preserving and protecting endangered species, and creating an educational environment that inspires appreciation and concern about wildlife and wild places, while providing a pleasant recreational setting for visitors. The zoo is located in Aldergrove at 5048 - 264th Street, just 500 metres south of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Things to Do

• Shopping!

Plenty of free parking, combined with three distinct shopping experiences (namely the Willowbrook Shopping Centre, Downtown Langley, and the Big Box Retailers/Store Plazas) has made Langley the retail mecca of the Fraser Valley!

• Wine Tours

Tour the many wineries located in or near Langley, and enjoy the many free samples!

• Horseback Riding!

Known as the 'Horse Capital of BC', Langley has plenty of excellent paths for beginner and experienced riders alike!

Events

• Annual Jazz and Blues Festival

Taking place every June, the annual Jazz and Blues Festival features talented musicians lining the streets of downtown Langley. 

Aldergrove Fair Days

The Aldergrove Festival Days Society and the Aldergrove Agricultural Society have teamed up to present Aldergrove Fair Days at the Kinsmen Community Centre in Aldergrove.

Included in the festivities are a parade in downtown Aldergrove and the Annual Agricultural Fair. There will be displays and exhibits, a midway and rides, a food court, a tractor pull, main street entertainment, a chilli cook off, a pet parade, a soapbox derby and a bike decorating contest!

• Arts Alive Festival

This free, family event features a feast of visual and performing arts. See over 100 artists demonstrate their techniques. Watch talented musicians and dancers perform on three entertainment stages. And enjoy a children's chalk art area to let your "budding artists" show you what they can do!

• Cranberry Festival

Come celebrate the cranberry in the historic village of Fort Langley! During the Cranberry Festival, there are many activities to take part in, including a pancake breakfast, shopping for cranberry wares, field tours, a scarecrow contest and a canoe regatta on the Bedford Channel.

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Tourism Langley
Unit 2, 7888 - 200th Street
Langley, BC V2Y 3J4
Visitor Centre:
Tel: 604-888-1477
Fax: 604-888-1462
Toll Free: 1-888-788-1477
E-mail: info@tourism-langley.ca
Web: www.tourism-langley.ca  

Downtown Langley Merchants Association
201-20559 Fraser Highway
Langley, B.C. V3A 4G3
Tel: 604 539-0133
Fax: 604 539-0137
Email: info@downtownlangley.com
Website: www.downtownlangley.com