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

Boomerang Court and Chancery Lane

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2011

1. Boomerang Court and Chancery Lane Marker

Inscription. You are standing in Bastion Square, a public space dating back to the Victorian Era.

There are many alleys and walkways to explore, connecting Bastion Square to nearby streets to see the heart of Victoria’s Old Town Historical Site. Chancery Lane warps around The Maritime Museum, linking Bastion Square to Boomerang Court. The Court was the home to the Boomerang Saloon, opened in 1858 by Ben and Adelaide Griffin, an English couple. Like many pioneers, the Griffins arrived in Victoria a the time of the Fraser Rive Gold Rush.

The word “chancery” means a court of justice. The Maritime Museum building was Victoria’s Court House from 1889 to 1962, and previously the site of Victoria’s jail and gallows. The nearby Boomerang Saloon was a popular place to socialize. It was busiest when people would gather to witness public hangings.

Photos courtesy BC Archives

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 48° 25.557′ N, 123° 22.148′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia, in Capital. It is in Downtown. It is on Langley Street. This marker is located near #18 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.

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: Former Victoria Law Courts (here, next to this marker); Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie (a few steps from this marker); Mizzen Mast – H.M.S. Algerine (a few steps from this marker); The Signing Post (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bell Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Amor De Cosmos, 1825-1897 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bank Building (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Fort Victoria (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.

Additional keywords. justice

Detain from the Boomerang Court and Chancery Lane Marker - The Old Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2011

2. Detain from the Boomerang Court and Chancery Lane Marker - The Old Jail

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2011

3. Boomerang Court and Chancery Lane Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,252 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.