Chester P. Lyons Collection
User Collection Public
The collection is comprised of selections from the archives of Chester P. Lyons and documents the career of Chester Peter Lyons (1915-1998). Lyons worked as a forest engineer with the British Columbia Forest Service; with the Parks Branch, where he helped establish the provincial parks system in British Columbia (including Manning, Tweedsmuir, Wells Gray, and Bowron Lakes) and human heritage initiatives (including the restoration and management of Barkerville and the Stop-Of-Interest plaque program adjacent to major highways in British Columbia).
Lyons also pursued many projects in nature interpretation as an author, lecturer, wildlife and travel filmmaker, television producer, and photographer. He also published fieldguides on the plants of British Columbia and Washington State, such as Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers to Know in BC (1952).
The collection includes Lyons' photographic materials and field notebooks, dating from 1932 to 1998.
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/1490617d-ecf0-440b-b663-a64f4a3ca757
Collection Details
- Items 362
- Last Updated 2025-07-03
Works (362)
51. Carved wooden sign for Northland Ski Run, Mount Seymour Provincial Park
- Title:
- Carved wooden sign for Northland Ski Run, Mount Seymour Provincial Park
- Description:
- A carved wooden sign for the Northland Ski Run in Mount Seymour Provincial Park.
- Subject:
- Natural history, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Ski runs, Snow, Mountains, Skiers, Wooden signs and signboards, BC Parks, Skis and skiing, and Nature
- Creator:
- Howard, Roy
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930?/1970?
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 17.5 x 12.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Mount Seymour Provincial Park
- Coordinates:
- 49.39137, -122.91933
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- In a folder labelled "Parks books [ca.1930 - ca. 1970] [2]" and Stamped on verso: "Photo by Roy Howard, Vancouver, B.C."
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- black-and-white photographs and photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.4
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-02-26/2025-02-28
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif LL). Metadata by KD.
52. Catching a fish with a hand reel
- Title:
- Catching a fish with a hand reel
- Description:
- A person catching a fish in shallow waters using a fishing reel constructed from a small bucket with the line wrapped around the outside of it.
- Subject:
- Nature, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, BC Parks, Natural history, Fishing reels, Fishing, and Fishing--Equipment and supplies
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930/1941
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 14.5 x 12.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia
- Coordinates:
- 53.99983, -125.0032
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- photographs and black-and-white photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.12.1
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-03
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif) by LL. Metadata by KD.
53. Checking recreational sites in the region around Kamloops
- Title:
- Checking recreational sites in the region around Kamloops
- Description:
- A few people standing next to a car on a gravel road overlooking a river running through a hilly and arid landscape. Photo's caption reads "Bob Ahrens, Lloyd Brooks and Bob Broadlands after joining the Parks Branch in 19?. A good part of the summer was checking recreational sites in the Kamloops District."
- Subject:
- British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Mountains, Nature, Brooks, Lloyd, Natural history, Rivers, Parks--Maintenance, Ahrens, Bob, Parks--Management, Arid regions, Landscapes, Parks, BC Parks, and Motor vehicles
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930/1941
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Thompson-Nicola Regional District and British Columbia--Kamloops Region
- Coordinates:
- 50.99981, -120.50252
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- black-and-white photographs and photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.12.3
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-03
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif) by LG. Metadata by KD.
54. Chess Lyons at an unnamed lake
- Title:
- Chess Lyons at an unnamed lake
- Description:
- Chess Lyons with a camera standing overlooking a lake with mountains covered in some snow in the background.
- Subject:
- Lakes, Mountains, BC Parks, Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-, Nature, Natural history, Landscapes, and British Columbia. Ministry of Forests
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930?/1970?
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 25 x 20 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia
- Coordinates:
- 53.99983, -125.0032
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- In a folder with "Parks books [1930-ca. 1970]" and "Personal Historic" written on it.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- photographs and black-and-white photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.3
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-02-14/2025-02-25
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif LL). Metadata by KD.
55. Commemorative rock, Sir Alexander Mackenzie Provincial Park, B.C.
- Title:
- Commemorative rock, Sir Alexander Mackenzie Provincial Park, B.C.
- Description:
- Close up on the inscription carved into the commemorative rock on the coast at Sir Alexander Mackenzie Provincial Park seen from the ocean. Inscription reads "Alex Mackenzie From Canada by Land 22 July 1793"
- Subject:
- Nature, BC Parks, Historic sites, Monuments, Parks, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, and Natural history
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930/1941
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 17.5 x 12.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Sir Alexander Mackenzie Provincial Park
- Coordinates:
- 52.37906, -127.47128
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- photographs and black-and-white photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.12.1
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-03
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif) by LL. Metadata by KD.
56. Cruikshank Canyon, Forbidden Plateau, Vancouver Island
- Title:
- Cruikshank Canyon, Forbidden Plateau, Vancouver Island
- Description:
- Two people on horses at the Cruikshank Canyon Lookout at the Forbidden Plateau in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island.
- Subject:
- Mountains, Natural history, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Parks, Canyons, Scenic overlooks, BC Parks, Plateaus, Cliffs, Nature, and Landscapes
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930?/1970?
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- British Columbia Government Photograph: 1098
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 25 x 20 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Strathcona Park and British Columbia--Forbidden Plateau--Cruikshank Canyon
- Coordinates:
- 49.686498, -125.35123
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- In a folder with "Parks books [1930-ca. 1970]" and "Personal Historic" written on it. and Stamped on the verso with "Please Credit 'British Columbia Government Photograph' No. 1098; Caption: Cruikshank Canyon, Forbidden Plateau V.I. From the Photographic Branch, Dep. of Recreation and Conservation, Victoria, BC..."
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- black-and-white photographs and photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.3
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-02-14/2025-02-25
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif LL). Metadata by KD.
57. Dawson Falls, Wells Gray Provincial Park [01]
- Title:
- Dawson Falls, Wells Gray Provincial Park [01]
- Description:
- View of Dawson Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park, one of the seven waterfalls on the Murtle River.
- Subject:
- Parks, BC Parks, Waterfalls, Trees, Rivers, Nature, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Forests and forestry, and Natural history
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930/1941
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 25.5 x 16.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Wells Gray Park and British Columbia--Wells Gray Park--Dawson Falls
- Coordinates:
- 51.9666, -120.11924
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- In a folder with "Parks books [1930-ca. 1970]" and "Personal Historic" written on it.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- black-and-white photographs and photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.3
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-02-14/2025-02-25
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif LL). Metadata by KD.
58. Dawson Falls, Wells Gray Provincial Park [02]
- Title:
- Dawson Falls, Wells Gray Provincial Park [02]
- Description:
- View of Dawson Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park, one of the seven waterfalls on the Murtle River.
- Subject:
- Parks, Waterfalls, Nature, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Forests and forestry, Rivers, BC Parks, Trees, and Natural history
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930/1941
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 13 x 9 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Wells Gray Park--Dawson Falls and British Columbia--Wells Gray Park
- Coordinates:
- 51.9666, -120.11924
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- photographs and black-and-white photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.12.1
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-03
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif) by LL. Metadata by KD.
59. Elfin Lake, Garibaldi Provincial Park, B.C.
- Title:
- Elfin Lake, Garibaldi Provincial Park, B.C.
- Description:
- A perfectly still and reflective lake surrounded by trees and with a tall rocky mountain in the background.
- Subject:
- Landscapes, Natural history, BC Parks, Parks, Lakes, Mountains, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Trees, and Nature
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930/1941
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 18 x 12.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Garibaldi Provincial Park--Elfin Lake and British Columbia--Garibaldi Provincial Park
- Coordinates:
- 49.78298, -122.98597
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- black-and-white photographs and photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.12.2
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-03
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif) by LL. Metadata by KD.
60. Elk in snow
- Title:
- Elk in snow
- Description:
- Several elks on a snow covered mountain.
- Subject:
- BC Parks, Elk--Habitat, Antlers, Snow, Nature, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Mountains, Natural history, Ecology, and Elk
- Creator:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1930?/1970?
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- This item is under copyright and made available on this site for research and private study only. Commercial use is prohibited. For all other uses please contact UVic Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 20 x 12 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia
- Coordinates:
- 53.99983, -125.0032
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- In a folder with "Parks books [1930-ca. 1970]" and "Personal Historic" written on it.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Chester P. Lyons Collection
- Provenance:
- Fonds donated to UVic Archives by Lyons' daughter, Susan Lyons, in 2007.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- photographs and black-and-white photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.3
- Fonds Title:
- Chester P. Lyons fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- AR409
- Is_referenced_by:
- Archival Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/chester-p-lyons-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2025-02-14/2025-02-25
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif LL). Metadata by KD.