Site16 Social History of Building - CNR Railway Station Fort Langley, British Columbia

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CNR Railway Station - Fort Langley B.C.
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A dramatic rise in population and economic growth within the City of Langley gave Canadian Northern the confidence to build a passenger station. The station was built according to C.N.R.'s 'third class' design, which was used in the building of eighty five other stations. (Inventory of Historic Buildings in Langley, A3.) The main floor of a station had an office, reception area, and a living room for the employee. An employee of the railway was expected to live at the station. Bedrooms and the kitchen were located on the second floor. In 1918, under new ownership (Canadian National), "a wing was added to provide roomier living quarters for the station agent and his family." (Ibid.) A railway station would normally be close to other social places like hotels and restaurants. With a central location a railway station was an important meeting place in many towns.

	The station was an active part of the community. For entertainment children would watch the trains arrive and depart. The people of Fort Langley were now able to send and receive large packages by train. Even politicians would use the station to make announcements and hold debates. (Harold Kalman. A History of Canadian Architecture (Toronto: Oxford University Press) 483.)
British Columbia Archives #a_04319

Due in large part to the development of the automobile and air travel many of the railway stations such as the one at Ft. Langley had to reduce or eliminate passenger service. In order to protect this piece of Canadian history the City of Langley declared the station a heritage site on February 27, 1984. (Inventory of Historic Buildings in Langley, A3.) Today the railway station is owned by the City of Langley and is used as an information centre. Beside the station is a newly restored CN passenger car which gives visitors a chance to experience how people traveled in 1915. The station office has been converted into an exciting and informative display of train travel in the early twentieth century. The baggage room has often been used for art and craft shows. Another popular area at the station is the caboose which has a model railway on display.

Last updated 1 March 1999.
This digital collection was produced under contract to the Canada's Digital Collections Program, Industry Canada.
Produced by Canada's Digital Collections Team.
Content provided by BC Heritage Trust and Heritage Branch, Province of British Columbia.