Colwood, British Columbia
| City of Colwood | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: 48°25′25″N 123°29′45″W / 48.42361°N 123.49583°WCoordinates: 48°25′25″N 123°29′45″W / 48.42361°N 123.49583°W | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  British Columbia |
| Region | Vancouver Island |
| Regional district | Capital Regional District |
| Incorporated | 1985 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Colwood City Council |
| • Mayor | (Carol Hamilton) |
| Area | |
| • City | 17.66 km2 (6.82 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 80 m (260 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • City | 16,093 |
| • Density | 911.2/km2 (2,360/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 330,088 (15th) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| Highways | 1A, 14 |
| Waterways | Strait of Juan de Fuca |
| Website | City of Colwood |
Colwood is a city located on Vancouver Island to the southwest of Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Colwood was incorporated in 1985 and has a population of approximately 15,000 people. Colwood lies within the boundaries of the Victoria Census Metropolitan area or Capital Regional District, in a region called the Western Communities, or the West Shore. It is one of the 13 component municipalities of Greater Victoria.
Colwood's best known landmark is Hatley Castle, a Tudor Revival mansion and grounds originally built as a residence for James Dunsmuir, Premier and later Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Colwood almost became the seat of the Commonwealth Crown in 1940, when, after the start of World War II, the government planned to relocate King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and their children, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, to the castle for protection. [1] But they decided to stay in London and Windsor, near the European front. The government transferred the estate to the Canadian Armed Forces. It adapted the site for use as Royal Roads Military College, a naval training facility from 1941-mid-1990s. The military college was closed in the 1990s, and the estate is now the campus of the public Royal Roads University, which opened in 1995. The original residence is surrounded by extensive formal gardens, including a featured Japanese garden.
The city has many regional amenities, including the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Bear Mountain Arena, and the library facilities for the Western Communities. As it lies geographically to the south of Victoria, Colwood is western Canada's southernmost city.
Contents |
[edit] Neighbourhoods of Colwood
- Belmont Park
- Colwood Corners
- Esquimalt Lagoon
- Hatley Park
- Wishart
- Royal Roads
- Triangle Mountain
- Royal Bay
- Latoria Walk
[edit] Demographics
Colwood had a population of 14,687 people in 2006, which was an increase of 6.9% from the 2001 census count. The median household income in 2005 for Colwood was $68,798, which is above the British Columbia provincial average of $52,709.[2]
[edit] Education
Colwood is a part of the School District 62 Sooke. There are five elementary schools: John Stubbs (in Belmont Park),Colwood, David Cameron, Sangster, and Wishart. There is one middle school: Dunsmuir. There is also an alternative school program called Pacific Secondary School. (Formerly WON western opportunity network) Colwood will soon have its own high school in the newly developed royal bay area.
Colwood is also home to Royal Roads University.
[edit] History
Colwood was originally one of four large farms established by the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1850's to supply the steadily increasing population of Fort Victoria.
In 1851 The Puget Sound Agricultural Company, a subsidiary of the Hudson’s Bay Company, appointed Capt. Edward E. Langford 'bailiff' of the 600 acre Esquimalt Farm lying between Esquimalt Harbour and the present Langford Lake. The farmhouse was called ‘Colwood’ after his home in Sussex, England[3]. The first stone dairy on the island was built on this farm as was a lime kiln, homestead and barn. Kanakas (Hawaiian Islanders) were employed as shepherds for the herd of Southdown sheep. Mrs. Langford gave birth to the first white male child born in the colony. Capt. Langford's sister opened a School for Young Ladies at 'Colwood' Farm.
In 1860 Fisgard Lighthouse was constructed at the mouth of Esquimalt Harbour. It was 47 ft high, and visible for 10 nautical miles. In 1950 it was connected by a causeway to the shore at the base of Fort Rodd Hill.
1863 A sawmill was opened on Colwood Creek above the Indian burial site on Esquimalt Lagoon, on what is now Royal Roads University land. John Gilmore owned the sawmill.
1874 The original Colwood school was built on Sooke Road on land donated by Arthur Peatt, a local farmer. The building was later transferred across the road and became the home of the Ross family.
1892 William John Wale leased the old 600-acre Colwood Farm for the sum of $400 per year.
1895 Fort Rodd Hill installation was armed. The Fort guarded the entrance to the Royal Navy yards at Esquimalt. The original Colwood Hotel was burned down and a 2-story framed, square shaped building was rebuilt by the proprietor, Mr Campbell. He later enlarged the building and sold it to Mrs Miller, who became the owner of the Goldstream Inn.
1910 Colwood Women's Institute formed.
[edit] References
- ^ "Speech by Iona Campolo, Retired Heads of Mission Association's Gala Dinner", Royal Roads University, Hatley Castle, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, 5 February 2007]
- ^ "Colwood, British Columbia - Detailed City Profile". http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5917041&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Colwood&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- ^ http://victoriavision.blogspot.com/2012/01/150-years-ago-all-of-colwood-was-for.html
[edit] External links
|
||||||||
|
|||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
