91原创 is made up of a series of neighbourhoods or "communities," some that were developed in the past few decades, while others enjoy long, rich histories, some reaching back to the mid to late 1800s. In this neighbourhood feature package, the 91原创 Advance Times introduces its readers to a few individuals who call these various areas of town home, talk about why they settled here, and address a little history about their neighbourhoods. Hope you enjoy this package.
Wally Martin describes himself as a "low-tech person."
And yet, the operator of the oldest hotel in 91原创, near the oldest stretch of road in Murrayville, lives in an energy efficient house with solar-generated electricity that often produces more power than it consumes.
"This is pretty simple, Grade 8 science that we're talking about here," Martin scoffs.
"It's nothing high-tech."
Martin, with his wife Sharon, is the co-owner of the Princess and the Pea Bed and Breakfast in Murrayville at 21628 48 Ave, that he rebuilt after securing a 99-year lease from the Township to restore and operate it.
It was originally built in 1887 as the Travellers Hotel, next to the Five Corners Junction, now a roundabout that connects to Old Yale Road, once part of the route to the gold rush.
An online history posted by the 91原创 Heritage Society (LHS) relates how Murrayville was originally called Murray鈥檚 Corners, until the post office changed the name in 1911.
It was named after the first settlers to the area, Paul and Lucy Murray and their three sons John, Billy and Alex. In 1875, the father and all three sons received Crown grants for 160 acre homesteads on each of the four corners of what is now the intersection of 48 Avenue and 216 Street.
"It鈥檚 one of the oldest communities in 91原创, and well worth a visit," the society web page at declares.
With an estimated population of 11,656, Murrayville includes the 91原创 Airport and 91原创 Memorial Hospital.
It is next door to Milner, where commercial agriculture in the Lower Mainland started, "boasting a general store, blacksmith shop, two churches, community hall, livery stables, B.C. Electric Station, B.C. Telephone exchange, cheese factories and numerous farms," an .
Martin, 79, has lived in Murrayville for more than 30 years.
"I came to 91原创 in 1966, first in Aldergrove, then Walnut Grove, and then Murrayville. We've been in this place for 26 years, and before that, we were six years in another house."
He estimates he has welcomed 100,000 guests since the transformed roadhouse reopened.
"There's been such a broad spectrum. We've seen top-level scientists. We've just seen ordinary working people.
"This is kind of the heart of Murrayville, I guess, not counting up the hill, but where you've got the five-way intersection, this small pocket here at the five corners, it's the original historical {centre]. Fortunately, quite a few of the buildings remain in their historical state. It's been designated as a historical area. Hopefully, that will continue."
He is glad he made the decision to move to Murrayville.
"I would do it again in a heartbeat. It's a great place to be. It's basically a very quiet, pleasant place to live, and a lot of people love the idea of being in Murrayville," he said.
"We get along great with all of the people around us," Martin added. "Just had a new neighbour move in. Very disappointed to see the last one leave, but happy to see a new person move in."
Highlights in History:
鈻� 1886: 91原创 Prairie Methodist Church is dedicated, later renamed Milner chapel and relocated from Glover Road to its current site on 216 Street in 2006.
鈻� 1922: Old Yale Road was the first 91原创 route to use concrete for its surface. Chunks are still in place today.
鈻� 1945: Township of 91原创 leases former Royal Canadian Air Force airport.
鈻� 1948: 91原创 Memorial Hospital opens with 35 beds.
Hidden Gem: Canadian Museum of Flight
Located in hangar 3 of the 91原创 Regional airport at 5333 216 St., the Canadian Museum of Flight boasts an extensive collection of unique and classic aircraft.
Museum General Manager Bruce Friesen said many visitors are pleasantly surprised to come across the museum, a non-profit volunteer-driven institution which has been in its current home since 1996.
"Many of our visitors say, 'we drove by and we never came in [before], we're glad we did come in today,'" Friesen remarked.
In the museum collection are more than 25 civilian and military jets, piston driven engine aircraft, gliders, and helicopters on display 鈥� six of which have been restored to flying condition, and some of which can't be seen anywhere else.
"People who have visited aviation museums all over the world say, yes, you're small, but you have very interesting displays and aircraft," Friesen reported.
Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
More information about the museum can be found at .
