As the community grew, it expanded to the north, which is now Comorant and Fisgard streets. In the early years Chinatown was operated as a separate community. The inhabitants called it Huabu which means "Chinese Port". Local Victorians called it Chinatown.
There were a number of social structures in Chinatown in the early years. There was a a "secret society" called the Chee Kung Hong. the Tam Kung temple; and the Chinese Mission School. The school was attende by both children and adults because it offered an opportunity to learn English in addition to providing Christian services.
The Chinese New Year's Celebration is the most important and visible social activity. Firecrackers are set off, dragon dancers weave up the streets, shops are decorated, and people dressed up and visited each other enjoying the hospitality offered. Chinese New Year is a time honored tradition that continues today and is celebrated by the Chinese community and many Victorians. |
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As Victoria became an important Pacific port in the early 1900's, the Chinese community grew. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway brought many Chinese workers to Canada, many of which remianed in Victoria when the railway was completed in the late 1800's. The old wooden buildings in Chinatown were gradually replaced by the 3 and 4 story buildings that remain today. Many of the pioneers that developed Chinatown and built the railway are buried in the Chinese Cemetary at Harling Point and some at Ross Bay Cemetary. The remains of many of these Chinese were shipped back to China so they could be buried with their ancestors. They would be left in the ground for six years, then removed from the graves. Their bones would be washed, cleaned and dried and then shipped back to their homes in China.
Chinatown also had a "Forbidden City" which was a series of alleyways and courtyards that were hidden behind buildings. Only Chinese people were allowed in this part of Chinatown. In the early years Opium dens were legal but that soon ended. The "Forbidden City" housed gambling and opium dens the alleys were used as escape routes in case of police raids.
As the community grew The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) was created. Its purpose was to resolve local disputes, inter-agency disputes, and to represent the Chinese community as the official spokesman. It operated a hospital, a school, the cemetary and organized fund raising campaigns.
From the 1920's to the 1970's Chinatown had a decline in population and fell into disrepair. In the 1980's there was a renewal effort and the Gate of Harmonious Interest was constructed.
Fisgard Street looking into Chinatown.
