Beacon Hill Park History 1842 - 2009  

by Janis Ringuette

Beacon Hill Park, in Victoria, British Columbia, is a spectacular publicly owned 154* acre property with a rich and   fascinating history. This website presents a detailed chronological history of the Park from 1842 through 2009.

History of Beacon Hill Park

Two cultures in turn -- aboriginal and European -- shaped the landscape. The history begins with how the first inhabitants, the Lekwungen, used the land. Particular attention is given to original habitat features of the Park before  white settlement in order to track later changes. When the first white immigrants arrived, Hudson’s Bay Company   goals and strategies as well as British colonization policies became part of the Park’s history.Beacon Hill Park was granted in Trust to the City of Victoria in 1882.

Beacon Hill Park was granted in Trust to the City of Victoria in 1882. The majority of this history records park developments, habitat changes, events, and controversies during the 127 years of City control from 1882 through 2009

The images below are from the 24 chapters of Janis Ringuette's book.   Table of Contents

Janis Ringuette began researching and writing this history in 2002. Norm Ringuette created the website and is chief photographer.  Copyright 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009   Janis Ringuette.  Limited excerpts are permitted but please credit the author.