Fort Langley

Fort Langley is a Parks Canada National Historic Site. It is the location where, in 1827, the Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post in BC. The settlement prospered by trading furs, salmon and cranberries from the native population in exchange for the famous HBC blankets. Beavers and sea otters were particularly prized in Europe, but fox, raccoon and bear skins were also valuable commodities.


In 1858 Fort Langley was part of the Gold Rush. It was the starting point for the Fraser River gold fields. Fort Langley served as a supply shop for prospectors going north, hoping to strike it rich.



On November 19, 1858, Fort Langley was the site of the official ceremony proclaiming British Columbia as a colony.


Today, it is a great, hands-on museum where you can touch a variety of furs, pan for gold, watch the blacksmith, see the cooper (do you remember what a cooper does? Without googling?) and learn about the important - and generally peaceful - relationship between the settlers and the native peoples. The Sto:lo people called the settlers Xwelitem: "the hungry or starving ones".


Men living at the Fort often took native wives. The men were mostly Scottish, Quebecois, or Hawaiian. The Hawaiians came as crew on the trading ships which had to stop in Hawaii on the arduous journey from Europe to the West Coast; with no Panama Canal, the journey was a long one. The Hawaiians were encouraged by the HBC to sign on and stay at the fort.


The fort staff re-enact a wedding each day this summer - to highlight the critical importance of these relationships for the fort's prosperity.


Other summer activities include games for kids and an evening bonfire.
A small, reasonably priced restaurant, The Mighty Fraser Bistro is open on-site during the summer only. During the rest of the year, bring your own lunch & picnic on the grounds.