Viewing Object

A student a Willoughby School in 1932 (Grade 1-6?).
Term Source: Willoughby School Photos.

Teacher at Willoughby School in 1932.
Term Source: Willoughby School Photos.

Fort Langley established its May Day in 1922, and it continues to be an annual tradition (2003). In Langley, May Day refers to the 24 of May, the date of the birth of Queen Victoria. The first May Day was held in Fort Langley, then the event moved to Langley Prairie from 1923-1957. In 1958 the Langley Kinsmen gave up the event, and it returned to Fort Langley where it was organized by the Community Improvement Society and the Fort Langley Lions club, and finally a community committee. May Day celebrations include the crowning of the May Queen and the May pole dancing.

Superbase See Also: May Day Celebrations - Langley Prairie
Term Source: Warren Sommer's "From Prairie to City", p. 154.

Vera Schatz was born in Delia, Alberta in 1926 to parents Simon and Alice Schatz. She had a brother, Jim Schatz. The family moved to the Willoughby are of Langley in 1931, and moved into a house on Lee Road (on the corner at James Road) built by Simon Schatz in 1932. Vera attended Willoughby Elementary School from 1932-37, Milner Elementary School from 1937-39, West Langley Elementary School from 1939-40, and Langley High School from 1940-1944. She was a member of the Willoughby United Church, Sunday School and Choir, the Murrayville United Church-Mission Band, and the Milner United Church Young People group. She was involved in the Langley 4H Jersey Calf Club, and at LHS was involved in the Hi Y club and in the John Leonard operettas performed. She married Andrew Stewart in 1955, and the couple had three children: a son, Glen, and daughters Laurie and Robyn.

Earliest mention of Willoughby School goes back to 1921 when classes were held in the original Willoughby Community Hall at the corner of 83rd Ave. and 208 St. known in those days as the corner of Scholes Rd. and Alexander Rd. For three years students in every grade were accommodated in the hall but in 1924 that arrangement was closed and the children in this area for the next 7 years went to either Milner or West Langley schools.