Chinese Canadians have a complex history and heritage in Canada, and there are numerous Chinatowns across the country where this history comes together. According to the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society (VCMS), Victoria’s Chinatown in B.C. is the oldest surviving Chinatown in Canada, and one of the very first to be established in North America.
Located on Vancouver Island, the historic area is also the only one on the continent to retain its 19th-century buildings and “labyrinthine features.” This gives it a high heritage value, according to VCMS and Parks Canada.
History of Victoria’s Chinatown
Victoria’s Chinatown dates back to the 1850s during the days of the Fraser River Gold Rush. It was first established following the arrival of wealthy San Francisco merchants at Fort Victoria, who set up stores near Centennial Square.
They were followed by labourers from San Francisco and China, who were sent to pan for gold in the Fraser River to supply these shops.
By 1862, Fort Victoria had become the City of Victoria. The population sat at 5,000 people, with 300 Chinese immigrants settling in the downtown area near Cormorant and Fisgard Streets. This is where Canada’s first Chinatown was born.
In 1886, the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed, making Granville Village (soon to become the City of Vancouver) Canada’s premier port on the West Coast.
According to the VCMS, the 1911 national census listed 3,559 Chinese residents in Vancouver and 3,458 in Victoria, making it the second-largest Chinese settlement in Canada after Vancouver.
However, Parks Canada adds that Victoria had the largest Chinese population in Canada through the first decade of the 20th century.
In 1955, Victoria’s Chinatown became a designated national historic site.
Present
Today, the buildings retain their picturesque arcades, famous narrow alleys, and enclosed courtyards, representing the rich heritage of Chinese Canadians in B.C.
Visitors can check out a myriad of local shops, restaurants, and galleries, including a record store called The Turntable, a slew of gift shops and specialty stores, Friends and Family Bake, and The Faraway vintage clothing.
Where: Victoria, B.C.
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