"The Island" is a lush world of towering sequoias, cedars, pines, and other denizens of the old growth forest. Throughout the year, warm meteorological currents from the south Pacific deposit large amounts of rain. The moniker of “Fogust” is used by the resident to describe the month of August, when the fog rolls off the sea, spreading its sinuous tendrils through every nook and cranny of this mysterious place.
You can find different towns and cities on the Island, which is actually a massive landmass surrounded by many other smaller islands. The largest city is Victoria, capital of British Columbia, situated in the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Founded by the British in 1862, the city is steeped in history. A gold rush in 1958 attracted miners and labourers from many parts of the North American continent. The Canadian Pacific Railway was under construction to unite with the eastern provinces, and it was also a source of labour. Seeking livelihood and fortunes in this new frontier, Chinese workers migrated from California and settled in the city. Rich Chinese merchants from San Francisco purchased land on the northern edge of the city and set up housing in the district known today as Chinatown.
The place was a dump. Literally. The Johnson St. ravine was the place where people disposed of waste. So, it must not have been a pleasant area initially. Now, as you walk along Johnson street, you see the quaint British architecture give way to buildings with more extravagant designs and motifs common in Chinese architecture. This became the base or starting point for Chinese migrants. At its height, the district covered six blocks with 3,000 inhabitants of Chinese origin. It was its own self-contained city with schools, theatres, hospitals, and businesses.
Considered Canada’s oldest Chinatown, it was as famous as it was infamous in its heyday. No less than 13 opium factories set up shop in the area. Drugs, gambling, and prostitution were common.
Today, Chinatown is a pristine place with a few businesses frequented by throngs of tourists that visit the city each year. You'll not find any opium dens or houses of ill repute. There are shops, restaurants, cafes, businesses, and so on. While relationships between different ethnic groups have often been difficult, this city honours its roots and embraces those differences that makes its history unique.
Resources
Victoria Chinatown: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/victoria-chinatown
Victoria Chinatown Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinatown,_Victoria
History of Chinese Canadians Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Canadians_in_British_Columbia
Victoria Chinatown SFU Page: https://www.sfu.ca/chinese-canadian-history/victoria_chinatown_en.html
Images by @litguru
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