Alex Houston House circa. 1909 (Houston Trail - Derby Reach Park)
Langley, BC Canada
Derby Reach is recognized as the site of the first contact between people of the Stó:lõ First Nation and Europeans working for the Hudson’s Bay Company.
The Hudson Bay Company built a fort here. One of BC’s first townsites was laid out in the park and later, a pioneer named Alex Houston built his house
on land that is now part of the regional park. Houston is credited with starting the Cariboo Gold Rush and is suspected of claiming the fortune of Billy Miner, BC’s most infamous train robber.
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
The Alex Houston Residence consists of a modest 1 1/2 storey wood-frame house on a country lot. It is within view of the Fraser River and is located in the Greater Vancouver Regional District's Derby Reach Park in NW Langley, British Columbia.
HERITAGE VALUE
Built in 1909 by Alexander Houston, the Houston Residence is important for its historic significance in terms of its association with the Houston family, its location, and the period in which it was built. It is also an important example of a community-led restoration that combined the resources of the Langley Heritage Society and the Greater Vancouver Regional District.
The Houstons were an important family in British Columbia's history. Alex's father, James, is credited for being the first European to discover gold along the Fraser River, the first independent farmer in the Fraser Valley, one of 33 men to petition the government for an incorporation of the district, and one of the first councillors when Langley was incorporated as a District in 1873.
Alex took over the family cattle and dairy farming business in 1902 (after the death of his father). He was the only son of James and was himself an important pioneer in the Derby area. His family was very active in the community until the 1950's, having established and hosted the community May Day celebrations and donating land for a commemorative cairn across the street from his house, marking the site of the first Fort Langley.
The farm site stands on what was originally land occupied by the first Hudson's Bay Company Fort (1827) and later by the Townsite of Derby (1859). It is a focal point for Derby historical interpretations.
Sources: Derby/Edgewater Bar Guide; Langley Centennial Museum Heritage Files; HistoricPlaces.ca
This image is best viewed in Large screen.
Thank-you for your visit, and please know that any faves or comments are always greatly appreciated!
Sonja
Alex Houston House circa. 1909 (Houston Trail - Derby Reach Park)
Langley, BC Canada
Derby Reach is recognized as the site of the first contact between people of the Stó:lõ First Nation and Europeans working for the Hudson’s Bay Company.
The Hudson Bay Company built a fort here. One of BC’s first townsites was laid out in the park and later, a pioneer named Alex Houston built his house
on land that is now part of the regional park. Houston is credited with starting the Cariboo Gold Rush and is suspected of claiming the fortune of Billy Miner, BC’s most infamous train robber.
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
The Alex Houston Residence consists of a modest 1 1/2 storey wood-frame house on a country lot. It is within view of the Fraser River and is located in the Greater Vancouver Regional District's Derby Reach Park in NW Langley, British Columbia.
HERITAGE VALUE
Built in 1909 by Alexander Houston, the Houston Residence is important for its historic significance in terms of its association with the Houston family, its location, and the period in which it was built. It is also an important example of a community-led restoration that combined the resources of the Langley Heritage Society and the Greater Vancouver Regional District.
The Houstons were an important family in British Columbia's history. Alex's father, James, is credited for being the first European to discover gold along the Fraser River, the first independent farmer in the Fraser Valley, one of 33 men to petition the government for an incorporation of the district, and one of the first councillors when Langley was incorporated as a District in 1873.
Alex took over the family cattle and dairy farming business in 1902 (after the death of his father). He was the only son of James and was himself an important pioneer in the Derby area. His family was very active in the community until the 1950's, having established and hosted the community May Day celebrations and donating land for a commemorative cairn across the street from his house, marking the site of the first Fort Langley.
The farm site stands on what was originally land occupied by the first Hudson's Bay Company Fort (1827) and later by the Townsite of Derby (1859). It is a focal point for Derby historical interpretations.
Sources: Derby/Edgewater Bar Guide; Langley Centennial Museum Heritage Files; HistoricPlaces.ca
This image is best viewed in Large screen.
Thank-you for your visit, and please know that any faves or comments are always greatly appreciated!
Sonja