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

Windsor Hotel

Windor Hotel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

1. Windor Hotel Marker

Inscription. The Windsor Hotel was originally called the Victoria Hotel when it opened in 1858, and boasted the city’s first brick building. It still stands across the street from here, with bricks now covered in stucco, at the corner of Government and Courtney. The ground floor was entirely occupied by a saloon. Its thick walls withstood an explosion in 1876 when owner George Richardson investigated a gas leak with a lit candle! Image # A-02716 courtesy of British Columbia Archives

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 48° 25.427′ N, 123° 22.099′ W. Marker is in Victoria, British Columbia, in Capital. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Government Street and Courtney Street on Government Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 910 Government Street, Victoria BC V8W 1X3, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Customs House (within shouting distance of this marker); Vancouver Island Wallmap Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Victoria (within shouting distance of this marker); 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Navy (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The “Veteran Sailor” (about

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120 meters away); Old Victoria Custom House (about 120 meters away); Royal Canadian Navy (about 150 meters away); Arbutus Tree (Arbutus menziesii) (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.

More about this marker. This marker offers a lesson on how to add beauty to the urban environment. The marker has been used to cover an ugly utility box. Other examples of 'beautification' are included.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

2. Windor Hotel Marker

Windsor Hotel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

3. Windsor Hotel Marker

The maker is in front of the hanging flower baskets.

How to make the ugly more attractive. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

4. How to make the ugly more attractive.

How to make the everyday more interesting. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

5. How to make the everyday more interesting.

Isn't this better than an ugly box? image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 14, 2011

6. Isn't this better than an ugly box?

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 25, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.