Fort Langley

Fort Langley

Article by

C.J. Taylor

Published Online	April 1, 2009
Last Edited	March 4, 2015

Fort Langley was initially a fur-trade post but soon became a provisioning and administrative centre for the Columbia District (courtesy Environment Canada).

Fort Langley, established 1827 on the FRASER RIVER, 32 km east of VANCOUVER near present-day LANGLEY, BC, was important in the province's development until the post's abandonment in 1886. Part of a network of trading posts established by the HUDSON'S BAY CO on the Pacific slope, it was initially a fur trade post but soon became a provisioning and administrative centre for the company's Columbia District. The old fort was abandoned in 1839 and a new one was built 3.5 km upstream. After a fire, it was rebuilt in May 1840. The fort operated a large farm, initiated fish packing and became a commercial centre for the colony of British Columbia. By the time it became a national HISTORIC SITE in 1923, its buildings were crumbling. But beginning in 1955 several buildings were reconstructed, and Fort Langley is now an important tourist attraction.