This superb example of an Edwardian park was laid out for James and Laura Dunsmuir in the early 20th century. At its centre stands a Tudor Revival mansion, whose picturesque design is enhanced by a rich array of decoration and fine craftsmanship. . . . — — Map (db m72870) HM
From 1878 to 1956 coast artillery installations protected the city of Victoria and the naval base at Esquimalt. Temporary batteries were constructed in response to the Anglo-Russian crisis of 1878, and in the 1890s Canada negotiated with Great . . . — — Map (db m72872) HM
During the 1950s this type of anti-aircraft gun was part of the Victoria-Esquimalt defences, although it was not used here at Fort Rodd Hill.
This American-made weapon had begun to replace the British-designed 3.7-inch gun as the Canadian . . . — — Map (db m75031) HM
This building was constructed in about 1900 to served as a canteen where the off-duty soldier could make purchases from a limited stock, drink beer and relax.
The building was used as a canteen during summer training periods at Fort Rodd . . . — — Map (db m98860) HM
The harbours at Victoria and Esquimalt, and the adjacent coastline were defended by temporary gun emplacements from 1878. International crises during the latter part of the century led to an agreement between the Canadian and British governments . . . — — Map (db m75210) HM
Defence Electric Lights on both sides of Esquimalt Harbour entrance were used to illuminate targets for the guns at night. Engine rooms generated power for the lights. Lights and engines were controlled from this Defence Electric Light . . . — — Map (db m99440) HM
This wall protected the battery from attack from the rear. It was both a protected position for riflemen and an obstacle. Barbed wire entanglements and natural cliff faces provided additional defence along the remainder of the battery . . . — — Map (db m99395) HM
was erected by Hudson’s Bay Company
1843
Here Colony of Vancouver’s Island was inaugurated by Richard Blanshard 1850
Vancouver’s Island and British Columbia united 1866
Two years later Victoria became the capital of British Columbia — — Map (db m48547) HM
One 6-inch gun on a disappearing carriage was mounted in this emplacement. The wall and sunken emplacement helped to conceal and protect the gun and crew from enemy bombardment. The concrete apron and earth glacis extending away from the top of . . . — — Map (db m76336) HM
During the Second World War, steel mesh anti-torpedo and anti-submarine nets and a log-boom, were erected between this shore and the island occupied by Fisgard Lighthouse, and across to Duntze Head on the opposite side of the harbour. The . . . — — Map (db m98995) HM
Q: How do you move a 28-ton gun barrel up a hill?
A: With great difficulty, and a "gun drug."
The heavyweight of Canadian artillery was the 9.2-inch gun. The barrel was 27 feet (11.2 metres) long and weighed 28 tons (this mock-up barrel is a . . . — — Map (db m99419) HM
Operating Lower Battery during an alert required discipline, precise timing and constant attention to safety.
Take Post Command
Procedure
#1. Enemy Vessel Sighted
#2. Battery Take Post Command Issued
#3. Gun Fire Opened
#4. . . . — — Map (db m99233) HM
When the Second World War began in 1939, tents were used to accommodate the sudden influx of troops. They were quickly replaced by temporary wooden huts of this type. This building is the only example that has survived in place. It was an . . . — — Map (db m99359) HM
Moving artillery pieces from their mountings and moving the mountings themselves, was an awkward and potentially dangerous job for the gun crews. It was accomplished in a routine known as repository drill.
The device commonly used for gun . . . — — Map (db m99207) HM
During the Second World War, a total of 17 modern searchlights replaced the four original defence electric lights. The 60-inch searchlight mounted in this emplacement was one of two installed at Fort Rodd Hill in 1940. Two similar . . . — — Map (db m98994) HM
Mobilized on August 26, 1939—two weeks before Canada declared war on Germany—troops sent to Fort Rodd Hill lived in tents until wooden barracks could be built. Out of more than twenty of these buildings at Fort Rodd Hill, only one . . . — — Map (db m99236) HM
The ten-man gun crew and ammunition detachment worked closely together to ensure safe and precise loading and firing of the 6-inch guns. They followed a sequence when in action:
1) Gun crew and ammunition detachment alerted and take post at . . . — — Map (db m99058) HM
We would like to take a moment to share with you the history that you are standing over, around and next to.
This harbour was originally the sole domain of the Lekwungen First Nation who plied its protected waters and fished in their dugout . . . — — Map (db m48749) HM
This structure was designed to accommodate the guard when the battery was fully manned.
Consisting of three or four soldiers commanded by a non-commissioned officer, the guard provided sentries to control the gate and patrol the battery . . . — — Map (db m75775) HM
This viewpoint illustrates the commanding position required for a coast defence gun battery. The trees in front were topped when the emplacement was in use.
A total of 27 locations were occupied by the coast defences between 1878 and 1956. . . . — — Map (db m99460) HM
Excavated from solid rock, this underground magazine provided a secure and dry storage area for ammunition.
The shells were wheeled to the guns. The cartridges were carried up the passageways and passed through the issue hatches. Strict . . . — — Map (db m99057) HM
A coast artillery battery consists of one or more gun emplacements and supporting structures and equipment. Its role was defensive; to prevent attack by enemy warships through the use of artillery.
The layout of Upper Battery is typical of . . . — — Map (db m75248) HM
These batteries were constructed at Fort Rodd Hill between 1895 and 1900, as part of the defences of Esquimalt Harbour.
Upper and Lower Batteries, with their three large 6 inch guns, were designed to counter bombard enemy warships. Belmont . . . — — Map (db m75216) HM
This building was constructed in 1897. It was built of brick to British Royal Engineer specifications and during its life it was subjected to several modifications.
Originally it was to accommodate a Master Gunner and his family, but a . . . — — Map (db m99253) HM
The mooring rings on the rocks below are the only surviving fragment of Fort Victoria built by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1843. From 1846, when the Oregon boundary was drawn at the 49th parallel, this post served as grand depot and headquarters of . . . — — Map (db m9195) HM
The pavement design near this marks the location of the bastion that stood at the northeast corner of Fort Victoria. From here the stockade ran southward past the gateway at Fort Street, and westward toward the harbour. Each brick within the bastion . . . — — Map (db m48509) HM
The pavement design near this plaque marks the location of the east gate of Fort Victoria, built in 1843. From here the wooden stockade stretched northward to the bastion and southward toward what is now Broughton Street. The plaques in the pavement . . . — — Map (db m48520) HM
Founded by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1843, Fort Victoria became, after 1846, the head-quarters of the Company’s trade in British territory west of the Rocky Mountains. When the Colony of Vancouver Island was formed in 1849 Victoria was the . . . — — Map (db m48542) HM
This tablet marks the site of the bastion which stood at the north east corner of Fort Victoria. The fort was erected by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1843.
Erected by Miller, Court & Co. Ltd. For the British Columbia Historical Assn. A.D. 1928 — — Map (db m48511) HM
You are standing at the entrance to Bastion Square
Bastion Square is a legacy of Fort Victoria whose two log towers or “Bastions” were located near here.
The Hudson’s Bay Company, which remains as a store across the street, built the . . . — — Map (db m48519) HM
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. — — Map (db m49080) HM
[Three 'markers' a part of this mural. They are entitled: Pemberton Family, Vancouver Island, and Fort Victoria.]
Pemberton Family
J.D. Pemberton, engineer and surveyor for the H.B.C., arrived in 1851 by canoe in the last stages of his . . . — — Map (db m48543) HM
Fort Victoria had its start in 1843, centered on Fort Street and present-day Bastion Square. Most of Victoria’s Old Town however was constructed during the great building boom of 1886-1892.
During that period the red-brick character of . . . — — Map (db m49225) HM
Named after Roderick Finlayson Chief – Factor Hudson’s Bay Company at Victoria 1844 – 1872.
Before the arrival of white men this was the site of an ancient fortified Indian Village.
A battery of two 64 pound wrought iron rifled guns . . . — — Map (db m49244) HM
[English]
Justifiably described as “the father of British Columbia”, Douglas was born in Demerara. He joined the North West Company in 1819, serving at Fort William and Ile a la Crosse where he was taken into the Hudson’s Bay Company. . . . — — Map (db m48769) HM
English:
Simon Fraser and John Stuart established Fort St. James among the Carrier Indians in 1806. Originally a North West Company post, it passed to the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1821. From the beginning an important centre of trade and . . . — — Map (db m42736) HM
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Discovery was commissioned on November 1, 1941. Thousands of men and women have been recruited and trained at these naval reserve facilities of Deadman's Island for service to Canada in peace and war.
World War . . . — — Map (db m236197) HM
Founded in 1812, Fort Kamloops stood at a natural crossroads. For 50 years it remained the focus of an inland fur empire until the roaring mining boom of the 1860's. Ranchers, with cattle and horses, replaced the miners. They settled, and stayed, to . . . — — Map (db m188009) HM
