FORT LANGLEY

Fort Langley, British Columbia,
by Susie Lee

When fur was in high demand in Europe during the early nineteenth century, The Hudson’s Bay Company built Fort Langley along the major waterway of the Fraser River in 1827 to establish a fur trade with the aboriginal people in this area. After the Fort ceased operations in 1888, Parks Canada declared Fort Langley as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1923. Today, visitors can learn about the rich history of this region and how Fort Langley became the birthplace of British Columbia.

STEPPING BACK IN TIME

I felt as though I stepped back in time when I walked through the fort's tall wooden gate entrance. The staff, dressed in period costumes, walked the grounds carrying buckets of water, bails of hay and stacks of fire wood. I walked in and out of several buildings to learn and interact with the interpreters (historians dressed in period costumes). At the Servant’s Quarters, 3 different rooms are exhibited to reflect the life of the various workers that used to work here. The Hudson's Bay Company employed people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The English, French, Scottish, and even Hawaiian people all once worked at Fort Langley. Quite interestingly, the company encouraged their employees to marry local native women to form alliances with the various native groups and to gain access to their resources.

At the Storehouse built in 1840 (the only original building in Fort Langley), the items that were traded back then are exhibited. I discovered that blankets, ropes for fishing nets and metal tools were the most sought after items by the native people. The Storehouse had a unique collection of animal fur pelts that were impressively displayed along a wall. It was fascinating to be able to see and touch the different types of furs they used to hunt and trade for at Fort Langley. I was able to feel furs from beavers, wolverines, bears, and raccoons, just to name a few.

Right next to the Storehouse is the Blacksmith Shop. I witnessed how metal tools were made. During the fur trading days, the blacksmith’s main job was to repair metal tools that came from Europe. Hot burning coal was used to heat up the metal so that it can be shaped and a manipulated to its desired shape. It was really neat to be able to see metal turn into a bright orange color and then twisted, pounded and shaped into a wall hook.

My favourite building at Fort Langley was the Cooperage, the place where I experienced the hands-on process of assembling a wooden barrel. These wooden barrels were used for storing and transporting dry and wet goods. Farm produce was shipped to Alaska while salmon were shipped as far as Hawaii. The shape of these barrels was ingenious designed. Due to its rounded belly, a single person can easily roll it down the river and then simply rock it to the up right position.

THE BIRTH PLACE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

In 1858, Gold was found in the Fraser River. Word quickly spread and soon there were over 30,000 fortune seekers (mostly Californians) who came to this region hoping to strike it rich. With a sudden influx of Americans to this area, the British Government feared an American takeover and quickly declared this territory as a British Colony. So on November 19th, 1858 during a gathering in the Big House at Fort Langley, a proclamation was made declaring this area as the Colony of British Columbia. James Douglas, the manager of the Fort Langley at the time was installed as the first governor of British Columbia.

Today at Fort Langley, visitors and can still visit the Big House (the birthplace of British Columbia) which has been authentically reconstructed to resemble the building as it stood in 1858.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Spending a day at Fort Langley was definitely a fun and educational experience. The interpreters dressed in period costumer were such a pleasure to talk and interact with. I felt like I was getting a history lesson from the actual people who lived in this fort during the 19th century. It was really gratifying to be able to learn about our past through witnessing and experiencing first hand how the early pioneers paved the way for us here in our beautiful province of British Columbia.

FUN FACTS

In the nineteenth century, a new language called Chinook Jargon evolved as a result of Europeans trying to communicate with the First Nations people in the Pacific Northwest. Chinook Jargon was a trade language with a simplified grammar which mainly drew words from the Chinook, French, and English language.

ADVENTURE TIPS

• Give yourself about 2 hours to enjoy this attraction
• If you’d like to avoid potentially large school groups during school days, you might want to arrive at around 2 to 3 PM when the school groups start heading home, you’ll still have plenty of time to visit all the historical buildings.
• For even more fun, visit Fort Langley during the attraction’s annual Fur Brigade Days, where the annual tradition of the arrival of the Fur Brigade boats are authentically re-enacted and celebrated. Check the website listed below for the latest event schedule at Fort Langley.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada
23433 Mavis Avenue
Fort Langley, British Columbia
Telephone: (604) 513-4777
www.pc.gc.ca/fortlangley

+ Part 1
+ Part 2
+ Part 3

+ Download PDF One-sheet
+ Fort Langley National Historic Site