Local Hero
Hanging on the walls of the new Langley Airport are profiles of noteworthy local aviators. As Remembrance Day approaches, we salute Norman Severide, who served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. He later attended UBC law school and had a long career as a lawyer in Langley (attaining Queens Council), assisted non-profit organizations, and served as a Langley City alderman. Norman and his wife Iris raised two sons; in 2019, he passed at the age of 95. Thank you, sir.
Langley Heritage Society will place wreaths on Remembrance Day at Langley City, Murrayville, Aldergrove and Fort Langley.
Next Project: Old Yale Barn
The Langley Heritage Society has saved and preserved heritage structures in Langley Township for more than 40 years. Some of these buildings have received official Township heritage site designation, including the Fort Langley CNR Station and Dixon House & Barn project; they also appear on the register of Canada’s Historic Places. We’re proud of this record of heritage preservation and restoration.
Our next project: The Old Yale Barn (circa 1915) is a hip-roofed structure that served as a dairy barn for decades. It reflects the story of the development of farming, which continues to be an important underpinning of the local economy. The barn sits inside the Township’s Old Yale Park, directly beside a community garden, walking trail and off-leash dog area. It is in serious need of repair, with portions of the roof and siding missing, the structure is open to the elements and needs prompt attention. It is also important owl habitat.
People in the surrounding community have told our Society they want to see the barn saved and put to good use. Langley Heritage Society will replace the roof and siding, at our expense. The barn will continue to be managed by the Township of Langley’s Recreation, Culture & Parks Department. There could be multiple uses for this restored barn – park and community events, improved garden storage and new park interpretation. The Great Northern Railway laid its track through this area; Old Yale Road is an historic transportation route; and some of Langley’s earliest farms were established in the immediate area. It’s rich in possibilities for historical interpretation and fits directly into themes outlined in the Township’s ‘Our Shared History’ document.
Valley Railway Heritage
Fall morning at Coghlan. This 1910 BC Electric substation is one of two left standing in the Fraser Valley. That’s a Hollywood North staircase still in place after a movie shoot a few years ago. The right of way continues to generate debate over whether it should be used as a commuter rail corridor.
Architect Barry B. Watson designed this station and four others at Cloverdale, Clayburn, Sumas and Chilliwack. The stations supplied power to the BC Electric trams, and the station operators lived on site with their families. This is now privately owned.
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Speaker Series Returns!
Join us on Tuesday September 19th at Milner Chapel for a presentation from the talented blacksmith at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. Danny Cram will share fascinating stories and examples of blacksmithing in Langley — from the Hudson’s Bay Company era to today. He can fashion almost anything: nails, pick axes and coat hooks. When: Tuesday, Sept 19th at 7 pm. Where: Milner Chapel, 6716 216 St, Langley
On Tuesday October 17th join us for Tales and Torts: Stories of a Country Lawyer. From shoot-outs to assorted swindlers and thieves, retired Langley lawyer Robert Kearl has seen it all in his 40 year career. As he says, “sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.” Copies of the book will be available for sale at $25.00.
It’s also a convenient time to update your LHS membership! See you there.
Goodbye Bill Wiseman
Bill Wiseman touched the lives of everyone he met. Those fortunate to know him, miss him beyond words. From the Langley Heritage Society and his fellow volunteers at the Fort Langley CNR Station, we miss him. Always with a smile and a hug, Bill rode the velocipede for filming our “Wheels of Time” video and he fixed countless items at the railway station over the last six years with station manager Helen Williams. Thank you, Bill.