Street Names

A great number of Victoria street names have their roots firmly planted in history. Here are a few explanations to make the city's illustrious past spring to life:

Streets named after warships: Cormorant, Fisgard, Herald, Chatham, Discovery, and Pembroke. H.M.S. Pandora was Queen Victoria’s survey vessel, which plied the waters around Vancouver Island.

The original big, sprawling farms: Hillside, Cloverdale, Fernwood, Deans and Uplands, gave their names to streets, too.

Cook Street was named after the explorer and navigator Captain James Cook, who first explored the waters on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in 1778.

Douglas Street was named after the Hudson Bay Company's first Chief Factor, Captain James Douglas, who was the founder of Fort Victoria and, later, the second Governor of the Crown Colony of British Columbia.

Fort Street took its name from the Hudson Bay Company's fort, Fort Victoria.

Foul Bay was named after the term sailors used to describe a snagged anchor. Due to the rocky bottom of the bay, many ships lost their anchors here.

Gonzales Avenue, Hill and Observatory take their titles from the Spanish explorer.

Government Street was named after the Colonial administrative offices located at Fort Victoria.

Johnson Street was so called either after the Commander Charles Johnson, the Captain of H.M.S. Driver, or after Dr. George Johnstone of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Quadra Street was named after Juan Francisca de la Bodega y Quadra who, as Viceroy of Mexico, met with Captain George Vancouver to restore to the British lands taken by the Spaniards in 1798.

Tolmie commemorates Dr. William F.Tolmie, one of Victoria’s pioneer greats.

Vancouver Street was named after Captain George Vancouver, who explored this coast in 1792 aboard H.M.S. Discovery.

Yates Street was named after James Yates, an independent trader and member of the first legislative council on Vancouver Island.