The UPSIDE DOWN horseshoe has always been Langdon’s symbol as the town was located on the horseshoe shaped railway turnaround. The good luck town orignates from a 25 year period when there were no deaths in town (1883-1908).
Together the UPSIDE DOWN horseshoe and the sentiment of Good Luck has become to symbolize Langdon.
A little more history about Langdon …
Langdon has a rich western prairie heritage dating back to the mid 1880’s when the Canadian Pacific Railway moved across the prairies serving the needs of the families who flocked to the area for the rich ranch and farm land. A station was established to service the large prairie east of Calgary and was the heart of the community. The surname of the contractor who built the rail line was Langdon and as was the custom at this time, the station was named after him.
By 1892, one store and four houses were built. A telegraph office was constructed in 1899. During the early 1900’s, Langdon underwent rapid growth with a population around 800 persons. Development of the community continued with the construction of a bank, general and hardware store, hotel, drug store, newspaper and lawyer’s office. Langdon was incorporated as a village in 1908. The bustle of activity in the early industrious years of the 1920’s brought the population to approximately 2000 residents.
Community Spirit was at the heart of day to day life. Streets in Langdon today are aptly named in honour of the homesteading families that gave life to Langdon over a century ago, a way of having history live on.
In 1975, Langdon was designated a hamlet under the administration of the Municipal District of Rocky View No. 44. Rocky View considered a proposal to expand hamlet boundaries and develop 430 residential dwellings in 1995. The hamlet boundaries expanded again in 1999 and again in 2003 to accommodate a community of roughly 8500 residents. Development in Langdon is embedded in an admiration of the prairies, the past, of respect for tradition of life on the prairies and a cherishing of community, where people know their neighbours and feel safe in their community.
Four subdivisions began construction in 2002. The largest, Langdon Crossings West added nearly 500 homes to the hamlet. The architectural theme reflects the prairie lifestyle by way of resembling homes of the Sears & Roebuck catalogue of 1926. Langdon Station has 72 quarter acre home sites themed to also reflect the era in which Langdon was first established. Langdon Lane, as well, The Homesteads and The Arbours, the first multi family developments got underway. The 2003 expansion of the hamlet boundaries redesignated 288 acres from Farm and Ranch District to Direct Control District to facilitate an 18 hole golf course and 428 home subdivision called Boulder Creek.
Langdon is a quaint, pedestrian friendly hamlet on the prairie. If it’s not here, it’s near, as Langdon is located just 16km east of Calgary city limits. Travel time to the Foothills Industrial Park is 12 minutes and 25 minutes to Calgary City Center. Langdon has convenient access to the Trans Canada, #2, #9, 22X and #24 highways.
Langdon has a centrally located 30 acre natural park with an outdoor rink, ball diamonds, soccer fields, playground and one mile of pathway. There are all levels and types of sports leagues. There is an indoor facility with skating and curling rink, banquet and meeting rooms and riding arena at Indus just 10 km away.
A joint venture between Ducks Unlimited, Western Irrigation District and Rocky View for re-construction of Weed Lake was completed in 2006. This lake is a 1400 acre nature conservatory lake. Nature trails and Interpretation Centre are planned for this area. Historical, McKinnon Flats, located 20km south of the Hamlet is a wildlife viewing area complete with a boat launch that allows fishing for brown trout. In both areas you can expect to see countless waterfowl, birds of prey and wildlife.
For golf enthusiasts there is Boulder Creek and more courses close by, Heatherglen, Lakeside Greens, Strathmore, Oxbow, Lakes of Muirfield and Speargrass. There are three halls in Langdon to hold events or meetings in. The community has many organizations which can be joined depending on your and your children’s interests. Langdon has one church, Langdon Baptist and the Dalemead Community Church is a short drive away.
Langdon School (K-8) opened its doors in 2003. Chestermere High School is just 12 km away. The Rocky View School Division has one of the highest graduating rates in the province. Rocky View Adult Education holds a variety of classes throughout the year.
Langdon is on the 911 Emergency Services System. Rocky View Enforcement service is responsible for compliance with provincial statutes and municipal bylaws. Police service is also provided by the Strathmore detachment of the RCMP. Qualified volunteer firefighters and paramedics from the community staff the fire hall in Langdon.
Langdon’s water supply utility constructed a new water treatment plant which incorporates one of the newest and largest reverse osmosis systems in Canada. Construction of a new sewer treatment plant will be completed in 2009.
Television cable and high speed internet is available in the hamlet. There is a privately owned shuttle service that provides alternative daily transportation to and from Calgary. Along the main street you will find restaurants, gas stations, deli, bakery, variety stores, convenience store, farm implement dealer and shop, Canada Post Office, Sear Catalogue outlet, video rental stores, Pharmacy, dry-cleaning outlet, graphic design house, Bottle depot and water sales, liquor stores, bar, auto parts and repair, hair salon and tanning, dentist office and chiropractor. The Main Street Langdon 1908 commercial project is a historical rebuilding project which incorporates many of Langdon’s original buildings. As well, other businesses also emphasize the prairie heritage theme.
