Watching the proposed development of the Roundhouse at Bayview Place project move forward in Vic West on lands that once were home to the Songhees Nation has been interesting.
This photograph was taken near the new Bayview housing development site on May 28, 1895. It is shown with permission from the Royal British Columbia Museum and has been in our collection for many years. Railway cars of the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway are pictured here on the trestle, which once extended westward from the railway’s terminus by the east end of Johnson Street bridge and over Songhees reserve lands.
Alongside the railway’s passenger cars, we can see passengers standing on the tracks, eager for the opportunity to view a traditional Songhees’ ceremonial event. The Victoria Daily Times edition of May 27, 1895, advises, “Tomorrow the Day – the Great Potlatch to Take Place on the Reserve Tomorrow.”
While the foreground shows ceremonial dancers in traditional regalia, beyond the dancers, one can glimpse a series of canoes at the water’s edge. Rowboats can also be noted in the inlet. Other photos of the event show tents in the scene as well.
One of our matriarch ladies in the T’Sou-ke Nation, Agnes George, who married Louis George of T’Sou-ke, told us of where she was born in 1877 – almost within view of this scene.
She said: “Songhees … all that thing was reserve – Indian reserve the whole thing - past that bridge where the train tracks are – used to be there – Songhees – I was born right across Johnson Street bridge; big smokehouse used to be there – that’s where I supposed to be born there – lots of people – noisy … so my mama went outside with blanket and mat so I was born outside …. “
Granny Agnes George left a large family, and it may be of interest to note that her grandson Harvey George grew up to become a carver and is responsible for the model fish boat collection given to Sooke.
Different views of the spectacular 1895 event exist, with the photographs believed to be the work of professional photographer R Maynard. (Note: Katharine Walker, wife of D I Walker of Jordan River Hydro development fame, was a Maynard.)
Our special thanks to railway buff Jamie Masters and his colleagues for help with the photo history.
Elida Peers is the historian of the Sooke Region Museum. Email historian@sookeregionmuseum.com.
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