So are the citizens of Langlois delusional??
WE THINK NOT.
Reasons:
1) We take pride in the fact that the name Langlois stirs up so much interest in the pronunciation. The subject is a great ice breaker and is often the first question asked by visitors.
Langlois is a variant of the French "L'anglais" meaning the Englishman which seems to indicate the family name started when some English showed in France post-Norman conquest era. The variations in pronunciation stem from Anglicization and then Americanization down through the years. There are variations still among Guernsey (home of our founding family) and Jersey Islands The name is not quite on par with the Welsh town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwy rndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. So really, one might we have it easy, but is still up for debate. One of most accepted version is Langless stemming from a phonetic version of the 1860 Federal census of our Founding Family
However, the citation in Oregon's Names; How to Say Them and Where They are Located? by Bert Webber ( a well respected historian) lists the pronunciation as LANG lois.
The locals have their own take on the name: Lang lois Langwau, Lang o ise, Lang lewis , Lang lis , Lang loy and probably more. Here are some samples from us locals.
2) Langlois is only one of five towns named Langlois in the entire world, the others being in Haiti (2) and 1 each in Canada and Guadeloupe. So while not entirely unique, our Langlois is certainly much easier to visit. It is not every town that has their own coat of arms- Langlois of Guernsey Island.
3) A word about our Greasy Spoon. Established in the 1970's, the Greasy Spoon closed for several months this year. The Cafe was the only of one of 8 officially so named in the world, others being in Bangadore, Sweden New Zealand, Bangalore, Great Britain, Turkey , Sweden, Washington state and Canada. The good news is that the cafe reopened with a new owner under the name of The Spoon, however, the iconic sign remains. Locals have noted that the sign is the most photographed of any place in Langlois by tourists and passer-byes. Who could resist?
4) Rumor has it that Van Gogh was so impressed with Langlois (est 1881) that he proceeded to paint a series of the Langlois draw bridge over the Arles Canal in 1888. Maybe he received a post card (?)
We do have some interesting bridges of our own.
Floras Lake Outlet Bridge- crossing over to get to beach, hiking trails, etc.
Private suspension bridge- near normal levels
Swinging Bridge at near flood level
Submitted by Deanna McDermott