James Bay in Victoria in Capital, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

The Old Man’s Garden

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

1. The Old Man’s Garden Marker

Inscription. Dr. Helmcken loved tending the family garden throughout his long live. In his memoirs, he described his passion for gardening in the 1850s: “At this time I was a great gardener – worked hard – up at 5 or 6 o’clock digging & c. Indians cleared out the stumps and so forth – grew our own vegetables & c. In process of time the land was got into some sort of shape – and I planted with sods the grass plot as it now stands.”
The Helmcken garden originally extended down to Belleville Street. The Helmckens and their next-door neighbours, the Douglas family, favored English daisies, nasturtiums, dahlias, honeysuckle, lilacs and forget-me-nots. They bought flowers imported in pots from California or grew them from European seed.
[Photo caption]
Dr. Helmcken in his garden, c. 1915. City of Victoria Archives PR252-7166.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 48° 25.181′ N, 123° 22.018′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia, in Capital. It is in James Bay. It can be reached from the intersection of Douglas Street and Belleville Street. This marker is located in Thunderbird Park, next to the Helmcken House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Victoria BC V8V 2P8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Helmcken House Historic Site (a few steps from this marker); Cecilia Helmcken (a few steps from this marker); Log Cabin to Victorian Parlour (a few steps from this marker); The Children’s Graves (a few steps from this marker); Doctor John Sebastian Helmcken (a few steps from this marker); Dr John Sebastian Helmcken (within shouting distance of this marker); Elliot Street Square (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sisters of St. Ann (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

2. The Old Man’s Garden Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

3. The Old Man’s Garden Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 994 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.