Native People

Human occupation of the area now known as Langley dates back to the retreat of the last glaciers some 10,000 years ago. First Nations People, now known as the Sto:lo, are thought to have been the principal occupants of most of the Fraser Valley throughout the last several millennia.

European Settlement

The Langley area was the first part of the lower mainland of British Columbia where European settlement was established. Fort Langley was built in 1827 under the direction of James McMillan, Chief Trader of the Hudson's Bay Company. It was situated about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the mouth of the Fraser River. The prime objectives of the Fort were to establish a fur trading post and to initiate some agricultural activities, which would secure a steady supply of food for the occupants of the various fur trading posts west of the Rockies.

Fort Langley, an international trading post

Fort Langley achieved global attention in 1858, following the discovery of gold by James Houston along the Thompson and Fraser Rivers. Fort Langley became a large supply centre, outfitting thousands of gold miners passing through the area. The gold rush also caused a significant increase in farming operations as the demand for food rose.

The Birthplace of BC

The gold rush and the declaration of 49th parallel as the United States border resulted in the creation of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. On November 19, 1858, the actual proclamation of Crown Colony status took place in the Big House at Fort Langley. Thus Fort Langley was proclaimed the birthplace of B.C.

British Columbia joined confederation on July 20, 1871, upon the promise of a railway link with the new Dominion of Canada. On April 26, 1873, the Municipality of Langley was incorporated, one of the first areas in British Columbia to do so, and James W. Mackie was elected its first warden.

Recent Urban Growth

The Township remained largely rural in nature as New Westminster, and later Vancouver, became the focus of urban settlement in the lower mainland. Langley's growth through the first half of the 20th Century was for the most part slow and steady. The construction of the Fraser Highway in the 1920's and the construction of the Patullo Bridge in 1937 increased the importance of Langley Prairie in the commercial life of the area. The Trans Canada Highway was completed through Langley in 1964.

Rapid population growth experienced in the Greater Vancouver area in the late 1960's and early 1970's led to the establishment of the Agricultural Land Commission in 1972. Much of rural Langley was included in an Agricultural Land Reserve, ensuring that future growth would be directed to land of minimal agricultural significance.

In 1979, the Langley Official Community Plan was adopted to guide development in the Township. Urban growth has been directed to areas such as Brookswood, Aldergrove, Willowbrook, Murrayville, and Walnut Grove, while major industrial and commercial developments have been designated in Northwest Langley, Willowbrook, Aldergrove and Gloucester Industrial Estates.