Downtown in Victoria in Capital, British Columbia — Canadas West Coast (North America)
Victoria Fire Department Headquarters
1899 -1959
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2011
1. Victoria Fire Department Headquarters Marker
History
Victorias central business district grew dramatically during the 1880s and 1890s. More “modern buildings in size and value signalled [sic] a need for increased fire protection downtown. A decision was made to incorporate a new Fire Department Headquarters into the existing Public Market building – roughly the location of todays Centennial Fountain where Cormorant and Broad Streets once met. In 1899, a magnificent, new facility replaced the Tiger Company Fire Hall which had been located at the southwest corner of City Hall since 1880.
The new Headquarters shared space with the Victoria and Sidney Railway ticket office and the Victoria Public Market. Similar in design to the San Francisco and New York fire departments, the Headquarters' fire fighting apparatus was arranged in two ranks. Upon the sounding of the alarm, the doors would open and horses would dash to the front of the apparatus in readiness to be hooked up to their harness.
During its time at the Public Market building, the Department progressed from horse-drawn apparatus to more modern, mechanized fire engines. The Victoria Fire Department remained at this location until
this page online
[Photo captions]
[top]:
The Victoria Fire Department Headquarters on Cormorant Street looking north from Broad Street.
[bottom]:
The Victoria Fire Department Headquarters on Cormorant Street looking west from Broad Street.
Erected by Victoria Fire Dept. Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 48° 25.709′ N, 123° 21.917′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia, in Capital. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from Douglas Street / Trans-Canada Highway (National Highway 1), on the right when traveling south. This marker is in Centennial Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 Douglas Street, Victoria BC V8W 1N8, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tiger Company Fire Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese Internment (within shouting distance of this marker); Victoria City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Wesleyan Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker);
2. Detail from the Victoria Fire Department Headquarters Marker
The Victoria Fire Department Headquarters on Cormorant Street looking west from Broad Street.
3. Detail fro the Victoria Fire Department Headquarters Marker
Reference Map, Circa 1903
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2011
4. Victoria Fire Department Headquarters Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 768 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 4, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
