Downtown in Victoria in Capital, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)
The Signing Post
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011
1. The Signing Post Marker
Inscription.
The Signing Post. . You are standing in Bastion Square. The Hudson’s Bay Company, whose legacy continues at the store on Government Street, established Fort Victoria here in 1843. This area has always been an important public space. All visitors had to gain permission from a gatekeeper to enter Fort Victoria and they were required to provide letters of introduction to the Chief Factor at the fort where ship captains also signed a register.
Bastion Square became a different kind of gathering place during The Fraser River Gold Rush of 1858 when over 25,000 people began to arrive in Fort Victoria to buy supplies. Soon the fort was demolished and stores, hotels and saloons were opened for the gold miners. A new court, jail and law offices were also built in Bastion Square.
Today, Bastion Square in the heart of Victoria’s Old Town National Historic Site and hosts the Maritime Museum as well as shops, offices, restaurants, bars and cafes.
You are standing in Bastion Square. The Hudson’s Bay Company, whose legacy continues at the store on Government Street, established Fort Victoria here in 1843.
This area has always been an important public space. All visitors had to gain permission from a gatekeeper to enter Fort Victoria and they were required to provide letters of introduction to the Chief Factor at the fort where ship captains also signed a register.
Bastion Square became a different kind of gathering place during The Fraser River Gold Rush of 1858 when over 25,000 people began to arrive in Fort Victoria to buy supplies. Soon the fort was demolished and stores, hotels and saloons were opened for the gold miners. A new court, jail and law offices were also built in Bastion Square.
Today, Bastion Square in the heart of Victoria’s Old Town National Historic Site and hosts the Maritime Museum as well as shops, offices, restaurants, bars and cafes.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.
Location. 48° 25.559′ N, 123° 22.181′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia
Click or scan to see this page online
, in Capital. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from Wharf Street. This marker is near #8 Bastion Square. Bastion Square is located between Wharf and Government Streets at the foot of View Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Victoria BC V8W 1H9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011
2. Detail from The Signing Post Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011
3. The Signing Post Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 624 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.