Langley Centennial Museum
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Object Description
Object ID
2018.011.009
Title
Brown house behind gate with stone dog pillars on the former Alma Ziegler property at 6741 224th Street.
Date
14 Jan. 2004.
Description
Colour photograph of a brown house behind a gate with stone dog pillars. House has a sloped shingle roof with a chimney and two dormers. House has dark frames around the windows and front door. A motion-activated security light and keypad entry to the property are also visible.
People/Subject
Foxglove Farm (Alma Ziegler Estate)
The house at Foxglove Farm (6741 224th Street), previously known as St. Vincent's Park, was built in 1917. Originally part of the Hudson's Bay Company lands abutting the Nicomekl River, it is believed that this farm was largely transformed into the picturesque estate it is today by its third owner, Alma Ziegler, of Vancouver chocolate family fame. When the senior Fritz Ziegler died in 1923, widow Wanda, son Fritz and daughter Alma continued running the stores until 1956. Fritz Ziegler purchased a property on Rawlison Crescent in Fort Langley in 1939, which included a two story farmhouse, and it is believed that Alma moved to Langley at about the same time. She purchased this property in 1940 from an Englishman who had unsuccessfully tried to establish a tea plantation. Her mother lived with her for a time, possibly until her passing. The property exudes an eclectic, European character with its paved courtyard incorporating a carved stone fountain and bordered by a stable-like structure. Approached by an avenue of acacia trees past a Craftsman style gatehouse cottage, the manor-style house, established by Russian immigrants, was subsequently rebuilt. The house is embellished with features such as an onion dome, and salvaged architectural elements, possibly from Europe, including a stone doorway surround and elaborately carved staircase balustrade; brother Fritz helped convert the house for her, so the elements are similar to what he did at his house, Schloss Kliphaus, or "Ziegler Castle". Other similar architectural elements contribute to the grounds such as a stone bench and the stone gateposts. Alma attended St. George's Anglican Church in Fort Langley, and when she passed away in 1979 at the age of 80 she left money to the church to buy an organ.
Ziegler, Alma
Alma Ziegler was born in Germany in about 1899, the daughter of Wanda and Fritz Ziegler, Sr., and the sister of Fort Langley's Fritz Ziegler. The Ziegler family moved to Canada and took up residence in Vancouver in 1911, became citizens in 1913, and in 1914 the Ziegler family started "Ziegler's Chocolates." They eventually had eight stores in Vancouver and one in New Westminster. When the senior Fritz Ziegler died in 1923, Wanda, Fritz and sister Alma continued running the stores until 1956. Fritz Ziegler family purchased a property on Rawlison Cres. in Fort Langley in 1939, which included a two story farmhouse, and it is believed that Alma moved to Fort Langley at about the same time. Her mother lived with her at a place called St, Vincent's Park, at 6741 224th Street (Stone Road), later known as Foxglove Farm, in a house that her brother Fritz converted for her. Alma attended St. George's Anglican Church in Fort Langley, and when she passed away in 1979 at the age of 80 she left money to the church to buy an organ.
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Argus v4.3.6.40 - Langley Centennial Museum