Fort Langley Historic Site

We've returned to the
site where the province was born -
Fort Langley, B.C. 

My brother joined us for a walk around the Fort Langley Historic Site. It was a fur trading post belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company. It was originally built about 2 miles away in 1827, but was moved to this location in 1839, burned and rebuilt in 1840. As the fur trade waned, the fort became important as a source of supplies for the company. The fort operated a large farm and packed and shipped salmon to other regions such as Hawaii. Although the English owned the Hudson's Bay Company, the work was largely done by the Scots, the Metis, local native people and Hawaiians. 

Most of what exists here today has been reconstructed. The Hudson's Bay Company ceased to operate this as a trading post in 1886. 

On November 19, 1858 the colony of British Columbia was proclaimed here. 

At the entrance to the park, the dogwood trees were in full bloom. This is our provincial emblem. We were greeted at the gate today by a Metis from Quebec. We walked into the Cooperage where the barrels were constructed as shipping containers. The blacksmith's shop next door was also an important business in its day. I got a photo of the blacksmith relaxing near the entrance. We walked up to the Big House, where the fort manager would have lived. He enjoyed a small measure of comfort not enjoyed by others of the time. His table was set with fine china but the workers had wooden bowls and utensils. His bed had a beautiful Hudson's Bay point blanket, a prized trade item of the time. 

We dodged grade 8 students who were on site this morning. Our last stop was the red chairs that Parks Canada is featuring in its locations. These sit just outside the palisade and above the entrance.

We hope to get out again this evening to have a look at White Rock, weather permitting. We may expect a cloudy afternoon with a chance of showers this evening and a high of 14 C. We were so fortunate to have good weather this morning.