FORT  LANGLEY Historical Community

FORT LANGLEY which is in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, is about a 40 minute- drive from where we live in North Delta on a weekend so if you are coming from Downtown Vancouver, it will take you more than an hour by car to get there. If you are a person who loves history or who enjoys going back in time to as far as the the early 1900s up to the 1950s, you will definitely enjoy FORT LANGLEY. My family and I were there yesterday, June 1, 2013, to take photos of the old Langley community as part of my blog report but we were surprised by what we discovered. So here it is, come join us explore the old community and travel back to the first half of the 20th century.

The Fort Langley Community Hall which was built in 1931 stands proudly at the old community's heart, right along Glover Road.

The Fort Langley Community Hall has been a silent witness to the town's history for over 80 years.

When we were looking for a parking space, we drove around the back section of the commercial area along Glover Road which is the main street of the community. We were treated to a surprise when we saw this sign along the road.

Just what is a "caboose", I thought. I eventually found out that a caboose is the last car in a freight train where the railroad crew stays throughout the trip.

My wife and daughter posed infront of the "museum train". But which of the two cars is the caboose?

This is the caboose, the last car in a freight train. I just don't know why it was painted bright orange. Probably to make it very visible even from a distance, it being the endmost of the train.

What's inside of this caboose really surprised the kid in me. So let's go inside and explore.

My wife and kids posed infront of the entrance to the orange caboose and to the gray-black car on the left, a  coach or passenger car.

 

Wow! A miniature model of a railroad town! Look at that. And there are two freight trains moving around in opposite directions. What a treat! I've never seen a miniature display like this before.

Our hats off to Evelyn Taylor and the volunteers of Langley Heritage Society!

And there's the orange caboose right at the end of the freight train above.

Here are the two freight trains cruising in opposite directions. They have headlights too, just like the real ones. You can also hear the horns of these freight trains as they pass each other by.

We are looking here over a 1950s factory. Look at how the railroads intertwine. Wow! Looks like real!

Here, the two trains were travelling side by side in opposite directions. Notice the buildings on the left with  circa1950s architecture.

Look at all those details! Wow!

The passing freight train registered a blur in this photo.

Even the waters on the river plus the logs look real!

Wow! An action scene depicted here. Look at those cars circa 1950s.

I just love the criss-crossing railroads, very intricately done. Looks like the real one. The river too looks real.

The artist-volunteers who created this fantastic and realistic miniature railroad town must have spent tons of hours and days and months in making a masterpiece. They absolutely did it with passion. Hats off to you guys! And who could be one of the passionate artist-volunteers of Langley Heritage Society responsible for awesome miniatures like this?

Mr. Gerry Landsman beside his masterpiece. I learned that he originally came from Holland and migrated to Canada in the mid 1950s. He must be a very young man then, passionate about miniature toy trains I guess. I asked him how many days and months has he spent in creating this railroad town. As I paraphrased what he said, "It's a labor of love. I cannot count the time. If I start counting it, then it becomes a job. This is purely my passion."  You just made a fan out of me sir.

With Mr. Gerry Landsman, the man. Thank you so much for sharing your GOD-given talent to Fort Langley tourists. I'll definitely come back and enjoy this fantastic display again. Gerry further told me that children usually have a hard time leaving with most of them wanting to touch the trains and play with them.

THE COACH or PASSENGER CAR

An old suitcase stands for tourists to appreciate.

Another view of the leather suitcase.

An old suitcase sits on a rack overhead.

A train's headlight is on display together with other train-related paraphernalia.

This passenger coach was named after Evelyn and Egbert Taylor in their honor for spending most of their time for the Canadian National Railways site here at Fort Langley.

The solid steel link that joins two cars.

Made in U.S.A.

My family on the railtrack.

Another silent witness to history, Canadian Railways history.

 Down memory lane @ Glover Road

 I am just amazed on how the residents and business owners of Fort Langley have preserved the architecture and charm of the early 1900s to the 1950s. I call this community CLASSIC and elegant. It is so peaceful too. So let's go down memory lane and appreciate the community's classic beauty.

Glover Road being the main road of Fort Langley Community exudes that early 1900s to the 1950s appeal. Those classic roadside furnitures add old-world charm to the place.

My wife was so captivated by the charm of this large toy-like dog that she requested a photo with the canine...

... which WWF wrestling superstar "John Cena" obliged. Well, he did looks like the wrestling icon. My wife was sandwiched by two macho men...and a goodlooking dog.

With my wife Olivet. I just love the romantic and 1950s ambience brought about by the old wooden buildings and roadside furnitures. Add to that a cool weather at 18 degrees C though the sun was shining brightly.

A group of young Fort Langley violinists with their mentor performs at the corner of Glover Road (main road) and a minor road.

The FORT GROCERY now, circa 2013.

Feeling hungry and we chose this IRON CAFE Chinese-Japanese restaurant beside the Fort Langley Community Hall.

From the restaurant, one can view the community hall and its surroundings.

Brother and sister enjoying katsudon and beef teriyaki.

People enjoy ice cream while seated outside of this restaurant.

A passing freight train halts traffic temporarily.

This a sign erected along Glover Road. From this point, the Fort Langley Museum is just about a 10-minute walk.

The railroad crossing along Glover Road. Lush green trees freshen the surroundings.

Customers enjoy a cool and sunny afternoon in an outdoor dining setting.

Take note of the hours of operation. We were lucky enough to be at the Caboose for the Miniature Railroad Town Display at 1:00pm. We did'nt know about the time limitation before.

There's enough space for parking within interior roads. The main road may be fully packed on weekends but try going around the back streets and you can find one.