Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
site was abandoned in 1838 in favor of another, farther upstream, where today the settle-
ment has been re-created. It was the abundance of fur-bearing mammals that led to the re-
gion'ssettlementoriginally,butwithinadecadesalmonhadbecomeitsmainstay.Through
its formative years, the fort played a major role in the development of British Columbia.
Out of its gates have poured native fur and salmon traders, adventurous explorers who
opened up the interior, company traders, and fortune seekers heading for the goldfields of
the upper Fraser River. When British Columbia became a crown colony on November 19,
1858, the official proclamation was uttered here in the “big house.” In the process, Fort
Langley was declared capital of the colony, but one year later, the entire colonial govern-
ment moved to the more central New Westminster.
Today the riverside trading post has been restored as
Fort Langley National Historic
Site
(23433 Mavis Ave., 604/513-4777, 10am-5pm daily, adult $7.80, senior $6.55, child
$3.90), springing to life as park interpreters in period costumes animate the fort's history.
The park is within walking distance of Fort Langley village, where many businesses are
built in a heritage style, and you'll find dozens of antique shops, boutiques, restaurants,
and cafés along its main tree-lined street.
To get there, follow Highway 1 for 50 kilometers (31 miles) east from downtown and
head north toward the Fraser River from Exit 66 on 232nd Street and then Glover Road.
From the highway it's 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) to downtown Fort Langley; the fort lies a
fewblockseastofthemainstreet.It'swellpostedfromHighway1,buttheofficialaddress
is 23433 Mavis Street, Fort Langley.
The fertile valley east of Langley encompasses rolling farmland dotted with historical vil-
lages, and beautiful mountains line the horizon in just about every direction. In summer
you can pick and choose from an endless number of roadside stands selling fresh fruit at
bargain prices—the raspberries in July are delectable. Two routes lead through the val-
ley. The TransCanada Highway, on the south side of the Fraser River, speeds you out of
southeast Vancouver through Abbotsford and scenic Chilliwack to Hope. Slower, more
picturesqueHighway7meandersalongthenorthsideoftheFraserRiverthroughMission,
named after a Roman Catholic mission school built in 1861. If you take the TransCanada
Highway, it's possible to cross the Fraser River at Abbotsford (70 kilometers/43 miles
from downtown), Chilliwack (110 kilometers/68 miles from downtown), or Hope (150
kilometers/93 miles from downtown). If you head out of the city on Highway 7 through
