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Tourism Vancouver Island

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Vancouver Island History

  • It is believed that the first people to inhabit Vancouver Island were Native people between 5,000 to 10,000 years ago
  • 1774 – The Spanish frigate Santiago anchors near Nootka Sound. Members of the Nuu-chah-nulth came aboard the ship to trade goods
  • 1778 – Captain Cook traded goods with the Native people near the island’s western shoreline. Sea otter furs were traded for European goods
  • 1794 – The first circumnavigation of Vancouver Island by Captain Vancouver which proved it was an island
  • Vancouver Island was originally named ‘Quadra and Vancouver’s Island’ in reference to the friendly meetings between Captain Quadra (Spain) and Captain Vancouver
  • Many landmarks on and around Vancouver Island are named after the Spanish
  • 1834 – Humpback, gray, blue and minke whales are hunted for their oils, and killed in such high numbers that it takes less than a century to put the species near extinction
  • 1846 - The 49th Parallel is the location of the border between Canada and the US, established by the Oregon Treaty
  • 1849 – Vancouver Island becomes a Crown Colony of Great Britain, and the whole island was leased to the Hudson’s Bay Company for seven shillings a year
  • 1850 – Richard Blanshard arrives to take office as the first governor of Vancouver Island
  • 1852 – a townsite is established around Fort Victoria, and the name is changed to Victoria
  • 1866 – the mainland and Vancouver Island politically merged, and was then known together as the colony of British Columbia
  • 1867 – The Dominion of Canada was established by the British North America Act
  • 1868 – Victoria is named the capital of the Colony of BC
  • 1871 – British Columbia joined the Dominion and became the sixth province. Victoria was established as the capital of the Province of British Columbia
  • 1881 – Vancouver Island population is tallied at 17,292 according to BC’s first official census
  • 1886 – The Provincial Museum of Natural History and Anthropology opens in Victoria...later becomes the Royal British Columbia Museum. The Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway (E&N) is completed from Esquimalt to Nanaimo
  • 1898 – The principal Legislative buildings are completed
  • 1905 – The Canadian Pacific Railway begins construction of the Empress Hotel in Victoria
  • 1911 – Strathcona Provincial Park becomes Vancouver Island’s first provincial preserve

(Sources: cvic.bc.ca; Victoria & Vancouver Island an Altitude SuperGuide by Dan Klinglesmith)

For thousands of years before Captain Cook’s arrival on the shores of Nootka Sound in 1778, the First Nations people lived in the Vancouver Island Region. The powerful art and enthralling legends of Vancouver Island, Victoria, and the Gulf Islands’ ancient Native cultures have captured the imaginations of visitors for more than 200 years. First Nations communities throughout the region are welcoming visitors to learn from them through cultural centres, historic sites, art galleries, special events, and tours. Exploring the mystical and compelling world of First Nations culture is a rewarding and enlightening experience. Please respect the culture and sensitivity of these sacred areas. Most Islands communities feature local Native history and artifacts in their museums and artworks by local Native artists in their galleries.

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