Archives & Heritage
Historic Buildings
The Town of View Royal - home to some of the oldest buildings in the capital region - is rich in heritage.
Step back in time at one of Canada's National Historic Sites. Completed in 1856, the Craigflower Manor site was one of four original farms set up by the Hudson's Bay Company as part of their obligations in settling Vancouver Island. The site housed the McKenzie family in the Manor as well as twenty other dwellings, a saw mill, a flour mill, a blacksmith's shop, a brick kiln, slaughterhouse and a general store. The companion adjacent site, Craigflower Schoolhouse (c. 1855), is sited across a municipal border. The two properties are located at the intersection of Admirals Road, Craigflower Road and Island Highway.
The sites are open for public tours. Details are available at The Land Conservancy's Craigflower Manor web page.
As Victoria grew in population, people developed seasonal cottages along the Town's shoreline to serve as "get-aways". Many of these quaint structures remain and have been converted into year-round residences.
Businesses blossomed, capturing the new residents and through traffic. Among the heritage buildings in View Royal are two historic "road houses" or pubs that have been serving patrons for approximately fifteen decades each. Both the Four Mile House and the Six Mile Public House have strong histories of serving patrons in their historic, landmark buildings located on the Island Highway.
View Royal Community Archives
History
To capture and share this rich history, the View Royal Community Archives was established in 1998 when the View Royal Historical Committee assigned all proceeds from the publication of the local history, Craigflower Country, towards startup funds for a community archive. A committee of volunteers was formed to begin the collection. The Archives is operated by volunteers, with assistance of professional archivists contracted on occasion as consultants.
The View Royal Community Archives is an associate member of the Archives Association of British Columbia (AABC).
Policy
The Archives collects, preserves and makes available to the public archival material relating to View Royal from the earliest times, including settlement by the Hudson's Bay Company during Vancouver Island's colonial period, to the present. Public awareness of View Royal's history and heritage is an important part of the mandate.
Materials
The collection includes records of local community organizations and clubs, family histories and other information relating to people and activities within the current and historical boundaries of the area.
Graphic records include photographs, slides, drawings, maps and plans. Manuscripts include ledgers, minute books, business records and family papers. A growing collection of reference books is also available.
Donations
The Archives is pleased to accept most donations of material within the above categories. Copies can be made at Archives' expense if donors prefer to retain original material.
Services
The Archives acts as a safe permanent home for family papers, business and club records of historical value. Materials may not be removed from the premises but knowledgeable volunteers are available, by appointment, to assist, with research.
The Archives is also responsible for rotating displays of historical interest in the foyer of the Town Hall.
Contact Information
View Royal Community Archives is located on the lower level of the Town Hall (45 View Royal Avenue). While hours are by appointment, the Archives can by reached by telephone at 250-479-6800 or by e-mail. Please call for more information or if you would like to volunteer your time to work with View Royal Community Archives.
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