Around the block in Victoria

   I love living in this city, I am very lucky.  There is so much beauty that surrounds this city, and Vancouver Island in general.  I work right downtown (first job), close to the inner harbour.  There is much crammed into a block, lots to see, and many things to do.  There is the Greyhound bus station, goes anywhere pretty much (review to come later).  Then there are restaurants about every half block, government street had lots to see, Empress hotel, and a few other great ones, carriage rides, museums, IMAX Theatre, movie theatres, people sell their wares all along the inner harbour in the summer, street entertainers, dallas road ocean front, parks, pubs, places to go dancing...everything crammed into a few blocks.  summer is always bustling and busy, many tourists, and local people who want to play tourist.   It's not unique...but it's home to me....my backyard.

Brief history

Victoria is Western Canada's oldest city.  The city began in 1843 as a Hudson Bay Company Trading Post, named in honour of Queen victoria.  There was a fort built which the Indians called Camosack...meaning rush of water.

With the Fraser Valley gold rush in 1858, Victoria grew rapidly as the main port of entry to the colonies of Vancouver Island.  When the colonies combined, the city became the colonial capital and was established as the provincial capital when British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871.

For most of the nineteenth century, Victoria remained the largest city in BC as was foremost in trade and commerce.   However, with the construction of the transcontintenal railway, Vancouver, as its terminus, became the major westcoast port and the largest city in BC.

In the twentieth century, Victoria evolved primarily as a city of government, retirement and tourism.  The city remains however, Canada's western navel base and home to the land of fishing, shipbuilding and repair, forest products and employment. (which is really good this year).  It is developing as a marine, forestry, and agricultural research centre. 

A Survey conducted by Conde Nast Traveller magazine said , Victoria is one of the worlds best cities for environment and ambience, Victoria residents have much satisfaction where they live and the regard for the quality of life and environment is perhaps the most notable.   (Gosh who would have ever known)!!!!

Fun stuff

Fort Victoria was founded in 1843 by James Douglas of the Hudson's Bay Company, but the first governor was Richard Blanshard.
Operating an opium firm was legal in Victoria until 1908 - and was a very large cash draw for the government! (gesh The government needs more money because?????).
Between 1917 and 1921 Emily Carr raised 350 English Sheepdogs at Hill House - later to become the famous house of all sorts in Victoria.  Now there is a woman who loved dogs and????
Francis Rattenbury, architect to many of Victoria's very distinct buildings was murdered by his chauffeur.  Hmmmm....guess this man asked for one ride too many:):)
Victorians drove, cycled, and streetcars ran, on the left side of the street until midnight on December 31, 1921.  Why...why...oh why...
Every February since 1926, victorians check their gardens for flowers and phone the chamber of commerce for the Annual Flower Count so the city can gloat to the rest of the world.  (Hmmmm...don't think there was much goating this year).  I never remember when it is until I see the numbers on TV.

So there is some fun facts, a wee bit of history...and a brief rundown on how much I love this city.

Enjoy everyone!!!!!