Kim and I are always impressed at the history and stories behind our great city, and close knit community.
Our careers in Real Estate provide us with a reason to dig for more information, and obtain the facts, and Esquimalt has a rich history that we couldn't help but research and share with you.
We hope that you enjoy this walk through some of Esquimalt's history dating back to the early 1900's!
St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Esquimalt Road
This photo from circa 1900 captures the view, including St. Paul's Church looking west on Esquimalt Road.
A horse and buggy and six people can be seen in the Road (Courtesy Esquimalt Archives)
Today, St. Paul's (Now known as St. Peter and St. Paul's Anglican Church)
St. Paul's Church, Esquimalt, had its original location at the foot of Signal Hill, and was built in 1866 but Anglican services were held before that in the little 1858 school building that once stood on the property. Even earlier Anglican services were conducted by Royal Navy chaplains aboard their ships for naval personnel and the growing population around Fort Victoria.
Known later as St. Paul's Naval and Garrison Church, the building was dismantled and moved up the hill to its present location, partly to escape from damaging reverberations of naval gunnery practice in the straits.
Fast forward to present day, St Peter & St Paul's Anglican Parish is an important part of the heritage of Victoria.
In 2006 the church was presented a plaque to note the heritage status of the incredible pipe organ that calls it home.
Click Here to view the stunning photography of this church, as it sits now.
The (former) Tudor House Pub, Esquimalt Road
In 1901, Wesleyan chaplain Rev. John Preston Hicks worked tirelessly to raise funds to build the Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Home, a home away from home for the military and merchant navy.
The Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Home had its grand opening on May 5, 1904. “It was an important enough building that Premier Sir Richard McBride was in attendance,” Robinson said.
Historic Aerial Photos of Esquimalt's Work Point Barrack's
May 13, 1961
Work Point was the location of the first Canadian Army base on the Pacific Coast.
It was established in 1887 to house “C” Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery who had arrived from Quebec by train to instruct local militia in gunnery. They had to clear the forest and build their own barracks.
The Work Point Barracks (designated 1004 in the Canadian Historical Places record) are a utilitarian British military structure consisting of a one-storey, rectangular wood frame building with a hipped roof, wood shiplap cladding on a rubble and concrete foundation. It was the first of first three structures built at Work Point. It is located opposite the guardhouse at the end of the main entrance, at Work Point Barracks, CFB Esquimalt.
I recently happened upon a real gem of a website, that contains vintage aerial photos of Victoria, Esquimalt, and areas. As a former resident, I focused my efforts and zoom on the Work Point Barrack's, where you can see the Canadian Forces Base along with Imperial Oil and Esquimalt Harbour way off in the distance.
Here's the direct link to the vintage aerial photos of the barrack's. But don't stop there! Scroll up to the "Images" option and get an aerial view of our fine city, way back when.
We hope that you enjoyed this ancient walk around some of Esquimalt's finest buildings and landmarks! - Kim and Vicky
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