Discover the Past

02/01/2025

Happy New Year from all of us at Discover the Past and Ghostly Walks 🎉🥂 100 years ago on January 1st, 1925, the Daily Colonist reported that: "Almost everybody, judging by the huge crowds, congregated at the many public and private parties."
Whether you stayed home or went out with friends, we hope you had a lovely New Year!

18/12/2024

The weather has gotten windy and wet, but that won't stop our Chistmas in Old Victoria tours! Not even a snow like one we had in 1916 will stop us! Come out for a cozy afternoon to learn about the way Christmas was celebrated during the Victorian era. Book your tickets through our website! 🎄

Image M00021 (Government Street during the 'Great Snow' of 1916), courtesy of the City of Victoria Archives.

17/12/2024

Who doesn't love a Christmas card? Check out these classics that were sent around Victoria back in the day!
Which one is your favourite?

Card 1: From 1919 (Image M08985 from the City of Victoria Archives)
Card 2: circa 1910 (Image M08997 from the City of Victoria Archives)
Card 3: From 1905 (Image I-68926 from the BC Archives)

12/12/2024

The Parliament Buildings all lit up in 1947 vs 2024. Which do you like better? Learn more about the wonderful history of the holiday with our special Christmas in Old Victoria tour!

Image credit: the City of Victoria Archives: M05847

05/12/2024

We have an event-packed weekend coming up! Whether you're joining us for our cozy Christmas in Old Victoria tour, a performance of A Christmas Carol, or a holiday-themed Ghostly Walk, we've got something for everyone! Sign up for one (or all!) of these events through our website.
https://discoverthepast.com/

Image: F-05905 courtesy of the BC Archives

Best known for our spine-tingling Ghostly Walks, we also offer a full suite of interesting History Tours that run day and night, all year round.

26/11/2024

Join us throughout December for a Christmas in Old Victoria tour! Enjoy the warm-hearted and sometimes humourous tales surrounding Christmas during the Victorian era. Stories include: Christmas Day brawls at Fort Victoria, a touching Gold Rush tale, Christmas store decorations and an amusing memory from Emily Carr’s childhood are featured. This is perfect for meeting friends and capping off a morning of holiday shopping!
Reserve your spot here: https://discoverthepast.com/

Image courtesy of the BC Archives: H-06231

Best known for our spine-tingling Ghostly Walks, we also offer a full suite of interesting History Tours that run day and night, all year round.

18/11/2024

Like most cities, Victoria is constantly putting up and tearing down hotels! Pictured here is the Dallas Hotel, which once stood on Dallas road (duh).

Image courtesy of the BC Archives: H-02476

07/10/2024

Discover the Past began strictly as a historical tour company, but over the years, people have come to us with many odd stories. We began hearing these strange tales of spirits and hauntings more and more often, and so we began to collect them. That is how Ghostly Walks was born. Every October, we bring out new stories we've gathered over the last year (and share some classics as well). Join us this year for our special Halloween Ghostly Walk route. Sign up through our website: https://discoverthepast.com/ghostly-walks/

Image E-05977 courtesy of the BC Archives.

30/09/2024

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Today, we reflect on the dark legacy of the Canadian residential school system, we honour the strength and resilience of survivors, and we commit to ongoing work toward truth and healing.

Discover the Past and Ghostly Walks tours gratefully occur across the traditional unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples.

26/09/2024

Did you know that we also do Ghostly Walks? Every year, we create a different route where we share at least one BRAND NEW story, just for October! Even if you have joined us for our special Halloween Ghostly Walk before, you definitely don't want to miss it this year! Bookings can be arranged via our website: https://discoverthepast.com/ghostly-walks/

17/09/2024

Chinatown, much like the rest of Victoria, has changed drastically over the years. Our Chinatown Walks are great ways to peak into the past of this part of the city while exploring the history, food, and culture that permeates this area. Sign up for a tour here: https://discoverthepast.com/chinatown-walks/

Image: D-04740, H-06891, and B-03974 courtesy of the BC Archives

11/09/2024

Have you joined us for a Chinatown Walk? Our guides are very knowledgable about the ins and outs of Victoria's Chinatown (which also happens to be the oldest in Canada). These walks occur every Saturday morning and shouldn't be missed! Sign up for tour through our website: https://discoverthepast.com/chinatown-walks/

03/09/2024

A big thank you to those who came out for a history tour over the long weekend! These photographs show various Labour Day celebrations, including a picnic that occurred on Denman Island in 1918 and a Labour Day parade on Douglas street in 1901. Images: A-09394 and G-04532 courtesy of the BC Archives.

26/08/2024

Today, this building houses the infamous Irish Times Pub, but did you know that it was once a bank? This building was designed by the eccentric Francis Rattenbury (the same person who designed the Legislative Buildings!). Learn more about and what makes it tick by joining our Victoria's Story general history tour. Reserve your spot here: https://discoverthepast.com/

15/08/2024

Check out this photograph of a Victoria bicycle shop in the early 1900s! It doesn't look so different from the various bicycle shops around today. Would you shop here? 🚲

Image: E-02643 courtesy of the BC Archives

05/08/2024

Today is BC Day! On August 2nd, 1858, the English colony of British Columbia was founded. James Douglas (pictured here) was the first governor of British Columbia.
Image Item A-01229 courtesy of the BC Archives.

29/07/2024

The have only just begun! Have a little throwback to this photograph from 1928, where Percy Williams is being carried victoriously away from the 200 metre dash finish line. Go team Canada 🇨🇦!

Image courtesy of the Vancouver Public Library.

23/07/2024

With wildfires blazing across the province, we are thankful to the firefighters who keep our towns and cities safe! This image of the Victoria Fire Department hose wagons is believed to be from the early 20th century.
Image: D-06364, courtesy of the BC Archives.