Langley History (con't)

"A "Bird's Eye View" of downtown Langley about 1911.

Langley's first telephone system was installed in 1906 with as many as 15 residences per phone line. In 1919 lights were installed on First Street. They were powered by a gasoline motor. The power system was upgraded in 1929 so that residents could use electricity on Monday and Tuesday mornings to do their laundry. The power system was sold to Puget Sound Power and Light in 1931, but the telephone system remains locally and independently owned to this day. The water system has been owned by the City of Langley since 1928.

The Star Store with owners
Joe and Martina Primavera

It is believed that Langley was the first municipality in the nation to elect an all-woman council. This happened in December of 1919 just shortly after Congress passed and the President signed the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. Miss Helen Coe was elected mayor and with the all-woman council immediately set to work "cleaning up the town".

The Olympic Club later
renamed The Dog House

In the 1960s and 1970s, Langley attracted its share of "hippies," some of whom had an uneasy relationship with the more established citizens. Eventually many of these counter-cultural folks became assimilated into the community, leavening Langley with their artistic skills and progressive ideas, helping to create today's cultural balance that makes Langley such an attractive place to live, work, and visit.

Looking East along First Street
about 1935

Langley became a city in 1975, 62 years after first incorporating. Though the streets have since been paved and the business district is considerably larger, Langley has not lost its rural character or its friendly flavor. In a world and a region where most of us live at a hectic pace, Langley offers a quiet refuge and a welcome alternative.

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