Beacon Hill Park History 1842 - 2009by Janis RinguetteBeacon 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. Two cultures in turn -- First Nations 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. 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 Beacon Hill Park History Website Information: *154 acres is the approximate area available for park use. The City of Victoria's official Beacon Hill Park area figure is 183.147 acres; that includes about thirty acres of park land buried under city streets. 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. |