Langley Heritage Society has received an intriguing photo from resident Brian Johnson. The image was taken at West’s Creek, just east of Fort Langley on River Road where it flows into the Fraser River. The creek was named after Henry West, a German midshipman who jumped ship in Washington and landed in Fort Langley in the early 1870s. He homesteaded with his wife Louisa (Fallardeau) and their 11 children. Henry was resourceful: he hand-logged, built a steam powered sawmill, a saloon and also made boats, including a steamer scow named Defender. We’re wondering: Who is crossing the wooden bridge in the photo? When was it taken? We zoomed in for a closer look.
A woman is driving the horse and buggy. It’s hard to see her features, but she appears to be wearing her finest. She’s drivng the horse across the bridge, possibly on a Sunday outing? Then again, it might be a staged postcard. If you can tell us more about the story behind the photo, please send a note to: info@langleyheritage.ca