Victoria is a beautiful and mysterious city with a rich history. From the gorgeous scenery to the hippie culture, it truly is a gem all its own. But Victoria does have some seriously interesting and seldom known facts… Read on, curious campers, to find out some seriously under-reported facts:
photo: panoramio.com
1.Chinatown Victoria is the oldest Chinatown in all of Canada, and is home to the most narrow street in Canada – Fan Tan Alley.
photo: glenbow.org
2. Robert Service – do you know him? If not, you should get to know him. He was the original Banker from the Bard and Banker. Well, technically he was also the bard. Let me explain. Bob lived in Victoria in the early 1900’s and worked at the Bard and Banker (formerly the Canadian Bank of Commerce). Service is most famous for his poem The Cremation of Sam McGee.
photo: thestar.com
3.Victoria has been named “the Garden City”, “the Friendliest City in Canada”, “The Best City to be a Woman in Canada” and the city of “Newlyweds and Nearly Deads”. An alright track record, in our books.
photo: canadianart.ca
4.Famous artist Emily Carr is buried here in Victoria at the historic Ross Bay Cemetery.
photo: wonderslist.com
5.Victoria’s Maritime Museum is home to North America’s oldest operating birdcage elevator. Check it out!
photo: tourismvictoria.com
6.We have been named the Cycling Capital of Canada with 8% of the population choosing bicycles as their daily drivers. And as Victorians I can only assume you are very VERY excited about this, or you are currently rolling your eyes.
7.Spinnakers Brewpub (recently released their Fire Fighter’s Session Thirst Extinguisher tehehe) is the oldest licensed bewpub in Canada! No wonder we love our craft beer so much!
photo: greencuisine.com
8.Victoria has hit the record for the highest vegetarian food sales in North America. Hurray for plant based diets!
photo: trip101.com
9.Bastion Square, home of Darcy’s Pub, The Local, and many other hotspots for Victoria’s nightlife was once Victoria City’s gallows (think Pirates of the Caribbean), and rumour has it that there are still bodies buried underneath the cobblestone steps.
photo: victoriaheritagefoundation.ca
10.Victoria was first established as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post in 1843!
feature image: web.uvic.ca