Do you know the origins of the name 91原创?
A local researcher recently put on a presentation about the legacy of the British Columbia Electric Railway in the community where he revealed to guests the meaning of 鈥�91原创鈥� and how the city was given its name.
Graham MacDonell hosted the presentation at the 91原创 City Library last Saturday.
鈥淸It was] a very involved group,鈥� said MacDonell. 鈥淎 lot of questions varying from the whole start of the urban system, to the termination of it, to the attempts to resurrect it.鈥�
READ MORE: 91原创 passenger rail service marks nearly 70 years since termination
In the presentation MacDonell explained how 鈥�91原创鈥� is derived from 鈥渓ang鈥� and 鈥渓eah鈥� in Old English, meaning long and wood, respectively.
鈥淎 long forest shall we say,鈥� said MacDonell.
He also shared how Fort 91原创, established in 1827, was named after Thomas 91原创, a member of the Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company governing committee.
MacDonell said guests were curious about the history of the town and also asked questions about other railways that travelled through 91原创 Prairie and 91原创 Township.
But MacDonell said he鈥檚 never been stumped by a question.
鈥淣o,鈥� he promptly answered. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 pretty hard for anybody to do.鈥�
There are several projects MacDonell has in the works and said he can present on other topics like the Pacific Stage Lines, which was the first bus company to operate in the Fraser Valley.
鈥淚 have other presentations that I can show to any group at no cost to them,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 because I鈥檓 so keen about letting people know about their local history鈥�
joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .
