Vancouver Island History
Stories from the Colonial decade include the building of the first sawmill, the first legislative assembly of the colony, and early Victoria theatrical performances. Post-colonial stories include the building of the Malahat Drive and stories from the earliest days of Canada's Navy in Esquimalt.
Prelude to a Province
Vancouver Island's First Legislature
1856 saw the first elected government for Vancouver Island much to the dismay of Governor Douglas.
Attach Frazer's River to Vancouver's Island
In 1858 the colony tried to take control of the mainland, instead the second colony of British Columbia was created.
Few photographs from the inside of Fort Victoria exist, but this well-known image, looking east toward what became Fort Street, shows the HBC officers' mess hall, left. It was here that members of the first elected legislative assembly west of the Great Lakes were sworn in.
- Agnes McKenzie's Craigflower Dream House
- Attach Frazer's River to Vancouver's Island
- British Columbia Nursing Sisters in WWI
- Cole Island Naval Magazine
- Craigflower - The British Empire Connection
- Esquimalt's Historic Halfway House
- Esquimalt's St. Paul's Church
- Granny Wale's Fine Dairy Products
- The Hunt Club
- Historic View Royal Limekiln
- Miss Phillips Remembers the Dockyard
- Return of The Golden Girl
- Thetis Cove's Earliest Subdivision
- Trolley to Esquimalt
- Vancouver Island's First Legislature
- Vancouver Island's Malahat Drive
Also see Maureen's Books OR Suggested Reading
For more information on the history of Vancouver Island: