Victoria, British Columbia is home to Canada’s oldest Chinatown in addition to being the second oldest in North America. The Discovery of gold led to the first Chinese arrive in Victoria in the late 1850’s. The first area of Chinese settling was in shacks where Johnson Street in Downtown currently runs through. Many Chinese people worked as tradesmen, cooks and laundrymen and much more. Originally Victoria was just a stopover before Chinese gold miners would head to the Fraser River Vally as well as an entry for 15,00 Chinese Canadian Pacific Railway builders. Throughout this Site we will explore the lives of Chinese settlers in Victoria who opened or worked in Laundry services throughout the late 19th and 20th Century.
Chinatown is one of the most prominent features in Victorias downtown centre. Aspects such as the many Chinese business and architecture like the Gate of Harmonious Interest with red and gold coloured signs marking the area.
