After 1858, the fort fell slowly into disrepair. The palisade was dismantled in 1864, and by 1871 the blacksmith shop had been converted into a dwelling and the cooperage to a saleshop. A year later, the "Big House" was pulled down and a new residence built for the post manager. Finally, in April 1886, a new Hudson's Bay Company saleshop was constructed in the nearby village and Fort Langley ceased operations as a company post.
In May 1923, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada declared Fort Langley to be of national historic importance and erected a commemorative plaque near the surviving fort structure. Fort Langley was established as a National Historic Park in May 1955, and the process of restoration was begun for celebration of the centennial of the Colony of British Columbia.
Today, Fort Langley belongs to the system of National Parks and Historic Sites operated by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Parks Canada. Interpretive staff and volunteers provide a glimpse of the past, answering questions, providing demonstration and discussion of the time when Fort Langley was the focal point of the world. For more information, visit the site in person and experience the past that was Fort Langley.
Fort Langley History - Page 4 ||
: April 11, 1998
