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. 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

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, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Amor De Cosmos, 1825-1897 (a few steps from this marker); Mizzen Mast – H.M.S. Algerine (a few steps from this marker); Boomerang Court and Chancery Lane (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Victoria Law Courts (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bell Tower (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Leiser Building (about 90 meters away); Waddington Alley (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.

Detail from The Signing Post Marker image. Click for full size.

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 638 times since then and 20 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.