The Old Langford History Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sue Harper, Historian
The Old Langford History Podcast is a look at the history of the City of Langford, located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia Canada. These are stories you 'want to know,' rather than 'had to know' in history class. Explore the rich and sometimes mirky past of Langford with your Host, Sue Harper.
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Not all treasures are recognized for their historical significance, until you dig a little deeper. This unveils the story of a relic, found in the Goldstream/Humpback area of Langford. Such a small thing, that holds a magnificent past.
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The Westshore pioneer life of Stanley Arthur Clark was full of promise, a wife, children, great job. No one knew it would end in tragedy just off the coast of Sidney at the northern end of the Saanich Peninsula. He is buried in Colwood Cemetery. This is his memory.
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Did you know that a Pioneer Cemetery existed? This episode delves into the history of the cemetery along with some of its occupants. A graveyard doesn't represent just an old assortment of broken headstones and monuments to be forgotten. Its a window to observe and understand the past of the Westshore and its pioneers.
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This episode concentrates of the writing of Robert Connell who lived in Victoria and wrote of his hikes in the Westshore area during its early years. His writings on local geology and botany, was extremely well known to Victorians at the time. He often led trips out of Victoria to Goldstream, Skirt Mountain, Sooke, and other area's, talking about the geology and botany of the area. It paints a picture of what the area once was, and what has been lost.
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The episode recounts the true story of a dastardly event committed by 3 armed 'Bandits", and police response that occurred at the Goldstream Hotel in 1950. Did the police get their man?
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The Ranger Station that covered the Langford District area was located at 697 Goldstream Avenue. In fact, most don't realize that its location was where Veterans Memorial Park is now situated in Langford. Hear about the building and Forest Rangers activities from fighting fires to measuring logs.
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Follow the reflections of a journey from Victoria through the Highlands in 1916. The Highlands was a special place away from the hustle and bustle of Victoria for the 'adventurer' and those seeking to get away from the 'miles-per-hour' enthusiast.
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Emma a pioneer (and daughter of Caleb Pike) of the Highlands had a tumultuous life. Her mother dying. Her husband 'a notorious character' who deserted her and her young children. Tragedies and bad luck. But through it all, with true grit and determination she managed to raise a family, purchase property, and support herself.
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Many years ago, a young teen, walked along the E&N tracks at night in the Goldstream area on Vancouver Island. What happened next will send shivers down your spine!
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Do ghosts haunt your house? Are there monsters in the forest? Have you seen unearthly figures in the night? Here's 3 short stories from newspapers in the past that will make your hair stand on end. Grab a blanket and listen in the dark - if you dare!
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Take a walk around the Humpback/Goldstream farming area on Vancouver Island as it once was, and peep into the lives of early pioneers before the Humpback Reservoir changed the landscape in 1912.
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The Pagoda House located at 528 Goldstream Avenue and Vantilburg Crescent in Langford on Vancouver Island, is considered a landmark building. But its future may be doomed to the wrecking ball. Is the Pagoda House heritage? Does its history deserve that designation? An aura of historical mystery certainly surrounds the house which this episode attempts to unravel.
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The E&N Railroad on Vancouver Island has been plagued with squabbles and controversy since its beginnings in the 1870's, but has also created strong feelings of nostalgia then and now. This is a look at its early history, the building of the Niagara Canyon Trestle (an engineering feat for its time), and also deaths that occurred during it's construction. The fate of the E&N in 2022 hangs in the balance, but where did it all begin?
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This episode will recount some of the known drowning tragedies, and the circumstances surrounding them. It will also tell you the story of what I consider to be Guardian Angel of Langford Lake - Hazel Baynes, as she is truly the definition of hero.
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In this episode, we look into the origins of the name 'Happy Valley', the Stone Man discovery, and the Lava Pillows. Happy Valley, is a part of the municipalities of both Langford and Metchosin on Vancouver Island. The area as a whole provides a rich farming and pioneer history to delve into.
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The place now known as Langford, British Columbia was named after Edward Edwards Langford, due to his oversight of the early development of a Hudson Bay Company farm in the 1850's, along with political aspirations. But is he worthy of having a City named after him? This episode explores the controversial time Langford spent on Vancouver Island. Was he a bumbling freeloader and incompetent politician? Or a capable farm manager and political reformer?
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A strange mystery surrounds the discovery of a skeleton in 1869 along a trail on a hot, humid August day. There is 'hideous evidence of murder.' Bullet holes and suspicious activity are found. Clues, rumour, and gossip grip the area. Who was this man? What happened? Who was the assassin? Do the police get their man? Listen to the tale of one of the first murder mysteries of Langford.
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There's Gold in that there stream! Or at least that's what many thought from rumors, gossip and newspaper reports. In the 1860's hundreds of prospectors travelled and set up camp along the Goldstream River in search of fortune. However, their dreams would soon be dashed as reality set in. This is the story of a gold rush that never 'panned out' except in peoples imaginations.
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Located on the edge of Langford near Thetis Lake, Mill Hill can easily be overlooked. This small 70 hectare CRD Regional Park is a little known oasis of nature. Visitors can discover a variety of natural environments packed within this little place. Climb to the summit, and there are spectacular panoramic views. Yet, many who visit fail to realize the hidden human history literally beneath their feet. It has an interesting history, with a few tales to tell.
- Man in the Tower - YouTube (1957)
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Emily Carr (1871–1945) was one of the first artists of national significance to emerge from the West Coast. However, many don't know she also wrote several extraordinary books about her life, where she travelled, and what she saw. As a child, and later in life as an adult, she spent time in and around Langford, in particular the Goldstream and Mill Stream areas. With her trailer called 'Elephant' and animal companions including Woo, her monkey, this Podcast recounts her days among the giant Cedar and babbling streams.
- Emily Carr: The Book of Small
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In 1967, the tragic event of the Flying Firemen rocked the people of Langford and Vancouver Island. First-hand eye witness and newspaper accounts describe the crash of the PBY-5A Canso Water-bomber, which occurred while fighting a blazing out of control forest fire that threatened Goldstream, Skirt Mountain and residents on a hot sunny day in July.
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UPDATE: On August 30, 2022 a Park in Langford was dedicated to the Flying Firemen. The Park, located at 1851 Bear Mountain Parkway, is the nearest park to the crash site.
In the early 1900’s, Langford Lake was a wilderness, and prime area for hunters and fishermen. Access was an arduous journey along a dusty wagon trail with the lake largely hidden from view by tall stands of old growth forest. But those that travelled along the pot holed, dirt wagon road give us a glimpse into what Langford Lake and surrounding area was like.
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Thanks for joining me in my time traveling exploration, with the Old Langford History podcast! I'm Sue Harper, and will briefly introduce this podcast.
I understand when you hear the words 'Langford history' it may sound like a narrow topic. Realistically though, the area is very tightly interconnected with many of the events having their start or finish on other parts of Vancouver Island or even beyond. There are countless topics and time spans to explore.
I won't be tackling topic's in chronological order, rather I'm going to skip back and forth through time. It's like a road trip without a map, and no destination. If something attracts us, lets stop and take a look. If we see a side road, lets take it and see what's at the other end.
So come join me, and lets do some time travelling together.
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