Victoria, B.C.
1889
Fort Victoria had its start in 1843, centered on Fort Street and present-day Bastion Square. Most of Victoria’s Old Town however was constructed during the great building boom of 1886-1892.
During that period the red-brick character of Victoria became firmly established. Small wooden buildings were replaced by substantial structures suited to the largest city in the province.
Victoria’s status as a busy seaport gave rise to a large area of warehouses, saloons, hotels, manufacturing enterprises and wholesale houses. Many of these buildings surround you today.
A world-wide recession in 1893 halted construction for a time, and the Old Town area fell into a slumber that lasted until the 1960’s. Sparked by the City, and fueled by community pride and private owners, the restoration of Old Town has ensured that once again it is a vital, thriving part of the City.
Many of the superb heritage buildings in the 500 block of Johnson Street and Yates Street were restored in the 1980’s thanks in part to the financial assistance of the Heritage Area Revitalization Program (H.A.R.P.) of the British Columbia Heritage Trust.
Marker can be reached from the intersection of Waddington Alley and Johnson Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
