Brian Croft
Painting the History of Vancouver and British Columbia

148. Langley Prairie, BCER line looking east

Limited Edition Watercolour Lithographic Print (unframed) sn300, ap15, pp10

14.74 x 22 (inches) sn $80, ap$90, pp$100

From a watercolour painting by Brian Croft

The intersection of Yale Road (Fraser Highway) and Glover (Smugglers Trail) was originally called “Innes Corners” after pioneer Adam Innes who’s farmstead occupied the northwest corner. In 1910 the British Columbia Electric Railway placed their line (visible in the foreground) across Yale Road and from that point on, this sleepy country corner would never be the same.

Innes Corners grew rapidly and was immediately renamed Langley Prairie and, in more recent times, again renamed, Langley City. Recently, these beginnings been popularized with the creation of Innes Plaza on this very corner.

This watercolour looks east down Yale Road on a sunny summer day in the 1930’s. Today many of these buildings remain standing and contribute proudly to a recently revitalized downtown Langley that welcomes visitors with warmth and a sense of place and history

Brian Croft