Victoria Neighbourhood Walk
The James Bay neighbourhood of Victoria offers visitors a variety of attractions and landmarks, which are rich in local history. Among them is Emily Carr House where one has but to view her original or poster form paintings to understand just how extraordinary this prolific woman’s life must have been. As a painter of both landscape and Western Canadian villages her unique style was not recognized during her time. For years, Emily Carr traveled extensively throughout British Columbia’s forests gathering inspiration. Sadly, after her health began to fail she stayed close to her home and during this time wrote an incredible seven books based on her life.
Also in the James Bay neighbourhood stands Helmcken House, home of Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken who in 1852 married the daughter of then governor James Douglas. Dr. Helmcken originally built this three-room log home that he expanded as his family and wealth grew. As a surgeon with the Hudson’s Bay Company Dr. Helmcken eventually ventured into politics and became a statesman helping to negotiate British Columbia’s entry as a province into Canada. Helmcken House, which remains the oldest in the province still stands on its original site and remains open to the public. Dr. Helmcken’s original medical kit is among the many interesting items that can be seen here. Visitors are afforded a unique view into how daily life was over a century ago.
While in the James Bay neighbourhood a trip to Fisherman’s Wharf, which is located mere steps from Victoria Inner Harbour, is sure to be a highlight for the whole family as well as for a leisurely romantic stroll. Be sure to keep an eye out for the many friendly and gregarious seals that often pop up in an effort to socialize with passersby. Visitors here will want to also avail themselves of the many eateries boasting fresh local cuisine, stop for an ice cream float, view galleries and studios or take a whale watching tour.
With over 300 life size wax figures and many other artifacts as well as the Penny Lane Sweet Shop, visitors to the James Bay Neighbourhood will delight in a trip to the Royal London Wax Museum. Among the many figures to welcome you in the lobby is the young queen Victoria faithfully stationed at her podium along with the city’s founder Sir James Douglas. Visitors are also often treated to the Wax Museum’s continual tourist, Mr. Peabody. Laws are strictly enforced by two British Bobbies and two members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who watch over things at their posts in the lobby area, along with a place of honour held by Terry Fox. One will marvel in the life-like figures of past and present North American Leaders from both sides of the border. Both the young and young at heart will not want to miss their favourite story book characters come to life in the forms of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and of course Dorothy and Friends who can be seen Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
With a history that dates back to 1858 Victoria is also home to Canada’s first Chinatown and second only to that of San Francisco. The discovery of gold in the Fraser Canyon brought the first Chinese settlers here having sailed across the Pacific Ocean to Victoria. From its beginnings this thriving neighbourhood has evolved into an exciting cultural community complete with theatres, schools, temples and in the old days opium factories, brothels and gambling dens complete with elaborate escape routes for safe flight from the law. Today, Victoria’s Chinatown is focused on Fisgard Street at the north of the downtown area historically known as “Old Town” where you can stroll through the famous, narrow Fan Tan Alley.
A visit to the historic and opulent neighbourhood of Rockland allows both locals and tourists to witness rich heritage architecture nestled among some of the most luxurious landscaped gardens. Rockland is also home to Craigdarroch Castle and Government House, which are its two largest and most famous residents.
Government House, situated on Rockland Avenue is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. First completed in 1865, Cary Castle as it was originally known, was the official residence of the Governor of Vancouver Island. Tragically, in 1899 and then again in 1957 Government House was burned to the ground. Today, this magnificent historical building stands out with its blue and pink rock-faced local British Columbian granite.
The colourful and culturally rich neighbourhood of Fernwood is surrounded by downtown Victoria, Jubilee, North Park and Fairfield. It is home to the Belfry Theatre, which has been offering world class plays since 1976 and was originally a Baptist Church built in 1891. The Belfry Theatre has won numerous awards for its laborious task of restoring this magnificent building to its present condition and is now listed in the heritage registry. As one of this country’s most esteemed companies, Belfry Theatre has produced more than 200 plays claiming notoriety in Canada, the U.S, Australia, Europe and most notably London’s West End.
Make sure you bring your camera when visiting the “Mile Zero Monument” of the Trans- Canada Highway at Beacon Hill Park on the Pacific Ocean’s Juan de Fuca Strait. As the world’s third longest highway, the Trans-Canada spans over 7,500 km with construction beginning in 1950, officially opening in 1962 and finally reaching completion in 1971.
Situated along the ocean shoreline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca is the neighbourhood of Fairfield, Victoria’s largest community. One can visit the historic Ross Bay Cemetery and see graves such as that of the ever-cross politician, John Dean whose tombstone was interestingly erected some years before his death. Ross Bay is the oldest landscape design in British Columbia still in existence and is an extraordinary example of an authentic Victorian-era burial ground. Immerse yourself in an amazing chapter in history by strolling through a sculpture garden with tree-lined avenues alongside panoramic views of the Oceanside. Some of the many tombstones that can be found here are those of British Columbia’s first governor, Sir James Douglas and other premiers such as Robert Dunsmuir, the coal baron who build Craigdarroch Castle and the world-famous artist, Emily Carr. You can choose to wander the grounds on your own or take part in one of the many regular guided tours offered by experts in the history of Ross Bay Cemetery.
