Understanding the Divide: Why Are There Two Langleys?

Did you know that there are two Langleys in British Columbia? The City of Langley and the Township of Langley are two separate places with different governments, even though they share the same name. This often confuses people, but each has its own unique identity and history. This situation started because of events that happened back in the mid-20th century. To understand why there are two Langleys, we need to look back at their history and how they grew differently over time.

The Origins of Langley: From Unified Township to Divergent Paths

Originally, Langley was just one place called the Township of Langley, which was incorporated in 1873, a couple of years after British Columbia joined Canada. At that time, Langley was mostly farmland with a few small communities scattered around. People lived simple, rural lives, mostly farming and living off the land. Life was quiet, and everyone knew each other, relying on neighbours for support and community gatherings for socializing. The landscape was dotted with fields, barns, and small homes, and the pace of life was slow and steady.

In the early 20th century, things began to change. New transportation options, like the British Columbia Electric Railway in 1910 and the Fraser Highway in the 1920s, made it easier for people to travel and do business. These changes helped an area called Langley Prairie grow quickly. Langley Prairie started attracting people from other areas who were looking for new opportunities. With better transportation, more people could visit, shop, and even move to Langley Prairie, which led to a boom in its population and economy.

Langley Prairie became a busy town with lots of businesses, new residents, and more activity. New shops, schools, and community centres were built, making the area more attractive to families and young people. It became the main area where people wanted to live, work, and shop. The growth of Langley Prairie also brought in new ideas and a sense of progress. People started to see it as the heart of Langley, where everything was happening. The difference between the rural areas and Langley Prairie was becoming more obvious, as Langley Prairie embraced modernization and urban development.

Growing Pains: The Rising Tensions Between Urban and Rural Langley

As Langley Prairie kept growing, it started to look very different from the rest of the Township, which was still mostly farmland. The people living in Langley Prairie wanted things that were common in growing towns, like paved roads, streetlights and sewage systems. These things were important for the growing population and all the new businesses that were opening. Langley Prairie was becoming a lively place, while the rest of the Township remained focused on farming and didn't need all these services.

The local government, which mostly represented the farmers in the rural areas, didn't want to spend money on these urban projects. This was because the Township's government was largely made up of rural residents who prioritized agricultural needs over urban development. The farmers didn’t see why they should pay for things they didn’t need, like streetlights and paved roads. One farmer even said, "A bunch of those businessmen want streetlights, but want the farmers to pay for it." This shows how frustrated the rural people were—they felt like their taxes were being used for things that only helped the town.

The people in Langley Prairie felt the opposite. They thought they were paying a lot of taxes but weren't getting enough services in return. They felt like they were paying more than their fair share, while the farmers were benefiting without contributing to the services that the town needed. This created a lot of tension between the urban and rural areas, and it became clear that they had very different needs and priorities.

The Great Divide: How Langley Prairie Became the City of Langley

By the late 1940s and early 1950s, these tensions had become too big to ignore. The people in Langley Prairie tried to negotiate with the rest of the Township to get more support for urban improvements, but it didn’t work out. The rural areas were not interested in funding projects that only seemed to benefit the growing town. In 1949, there was a vote on whether streetlights should be paid for by everyone’s taxes, and the rural voters strongly rejected it. This made the division between the needs of the urban and rural populations even more obvious, and many people in Langley Prairie felt like they had no other choice but to take matters into their own hands.

The people of Langley Prairie became increasingly frustrated. They wanted to invest in infrastructure that would help their community grow, like paved roads, modern sewage systems, and reliable streetlights. However, the Township government, which was dominated by rural interests, kept denying these requests. The people in Langley Prairie felt like they were being held back, unable to develop the kind of modern town they envisioned. This frustration grew stronger each year, and by 1954, it had reached a breaking point.

In 1954, the people in Langley Prairie decided to have a referendum to separate from the Township of Langley. A referendum is a vote in which all eligible community members can take part, usually to make an important decision about governance. They wanted to make their own decisions and control their own development without having to constantly fight against the rural areas that didn’t share their vision. The vote passed with over 85% of people in favor of separation. This overwhelming support showed just how important it was to the people of Langley Prairie to gain independence and take control of their own future.

On March 15, 1955, Langley Prairie officially became the City of Langley, with its own government and leaders. This was a big moment for the community, as it allowed them to finally focus on building the services and infrastructure they needed. The new City of Langley immediately began working on projects like better roads, streetlights, and sewage systems. These improvements helped the city grow and become a more attractive place for people to live and work. Without having to argue with the rural areas, the City of Langley could now develop at its own pace, which led to rapid growth and a stronger sense of community among its residents.

Life After the Split: How the Two Langleys Coexist Today

Today, the City of Langley and the Township of Langley are still separate, but they are next to each other and have their own governments. This means that while they are geographically close, each municipality is responsible for its own services, such as road maintenance, local planning, and community events. Residents of each area may have different rules, tax rates, and access to services depending on which side of the boundary they live on. They each focus on different things and have their own identity.

City of Langley: A Thriving Urban Hub

• Covers about 10 square kilometres.

• Has around 33,000 residents.

• It has a downtown area that is easy to walk around, lots of shops, the Willowbrook Shopping Centre, and future SkyTrain stations that are expected to boost accessibility and growth in the area.

• The City is focused on being a busy urban centre with lots of services, events, and activities for people who live there or visit.

Township of Langley: Balancing Urban Growth and Farmland Preservation

• Is much larger, covering 316 square kilometres.

• Has about 150,000 residents.

• It has both urban areas and lots of farmland. In fact, 75% of the Township is part of the Agricultural Land Reserve, which protects farmland.

• The Township wants to keep a balance between growing as a community and keeping its agricultural roots. It has areas for houses and businesses, but it also works to keep its farming heritage alive.

Even though they are separate, the City and Township of Langley still work together on some important services. For example, they share a school district, RCMP policing, and library systems. They are also both part of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. So even though they are different, they are still connected in many ways.

Should They Reunite? The Debate Over Amalgamating the Langleys

Over the years, there have been talks about putting the City and Township back together into one government. Some people think this would be a good idea because it could make things more efficient and reduce costs by getting rid of duplicated services, like having separate fire departments, municipal offices, and public works departments for each municipality. This is called amalgamation, and it could make planning and running services easier.

But there are also many people against this idea. They think that combining the two would make it harder for people to have a say in their local government. Each area has its own unique identity, and people like having a smaller government that understands their specific needs. Some studies have shown that merging the City and Township might not actually save much money or make things better. The City of Langley has said that it benefits from being small because it can provide services that are better suited to the needs of its community.

The idea of amalgamation comes up every now and then, especially during elections or when people talk about saving money. But so far, both the City and Township have chosen to stay separate, and most people seem happy with things the way they are. The debate about amalgamation is still around, but it isn’t something that either government is actively pursuing right now.

Conclusion: Two Langleys, One Shared History

The story of the two Langleys is a good example of how different needs can lead to big changes in a community. What started as a disagreement over things like streetlights and sewage systems eventually led to the City of Langley and the Township of Langley becoming two separate places. Each one has been able to focus on what makes it unique—the City of Langley has grown into a busy urban area, while the Township of Langley balances urban growth with keeping its rural and farming areas.

Even though they are independent, the City and Township still share a lot of history and continue to work together on many important services. Their relationship is complicated but also shows how different communities can coexist and help each other. Whether or not they will ever become one again is uncertain, but their story shows how important it is to understand the different needs of people in a growing community.

The future of the two Langleys will depend on how well they can adapt to changes and meet the needs of their residents. For now, they remain separate, each contributing in its own way to the region.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Two Langleys

Q: Why are there two Langleys in British Columbia?
A: The City of Langley and the Township of Langley split up because they had different needs and goals. Originally, they were one area called the Township of Langley. But in 1955, Langley Prairie decided to separate and become the City of Langley so it could focus on urban growth.

Q: What is the difference between the City of Langley and the Township of Langley?
A: The City of Langley is smaller and more urban, with lots of shops, public transportation, and community events. It covers about 10 square kilometres and has around 33,000 people. The Township of Langley is much larger, covering 316 square kilometres with about 150,000 people. It has both urban areas and lots of farmland, with 75% of the land protected for farming.

Q: How did Langley Prairie become the City of Langley?
A: Langley Prairie became the City of Langley in 1955 because the people there felt their needs were not being met by the Township government, which focused more on rural areas. In 1954, they held a vote, and over 85% of Langley Prairie residents voted to separate. This allowed them to have their own government and build the urban services they needed.

Q: Do the City of Langley and the Township of Langley share services?
A: Yes, even though they are separate, the City of Langley and the Township of Langley share some important services. They are part of the same school district, use the same RCMP police services, and also share library services. Both are part of the Metro Vancouver Regional District.

Q: Will the City of Langley and the Township of Langley ever reunite?
A: Sometimes people talk about merging the City of Langley and the Township of Langley into one government to make things more efficient and reduce costs. However, many people worry about losing local representation, and studies have shown that combining them might not actually save much money. So, for now, they remain separate.

Q: What led to the split between Langley Prairie and the Township of Langley?
A: The split happened because Langley Prairie and the rest of the Township had different needs. Langley Prairie wanted urban services like paved roads and streetlights, while the rural areas wanted to focus on farming and didn't want to pay for those things. This difference in priorities led Langley Prairie to separate and become the City of Langley in 1955.