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)
1. Early New Westminster [illustration]
- Title:
- Early New Westminster [illustration]
- Description:
- Illustration showing the city of New Westminster that appeared in a 1865 edition of Harper's Weekly.
- Subject:
- Cities and towns, Frontier and pioneer life, Nature, Boats and boating, Canoes and canoeing, History, Steamboats, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Natural history, and BC Parks
- Creator:
- Pope, F. L.
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1865
- 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 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--New Westminster
- Coordinates:
- 49.20678, -122.91092
- 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:
- prints (visual works), black-and-white prints (prints on paper), and drawings (visual works)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.11
- 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:
- 2025-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600dpi; tif, LG). Metadata by KD.
2. Wire suspension bridge over the Fraser River
- Title:
- Wire suspension bridge over the Fraser River
- Description:
- An etching of the wire suspension bridge near Yale. The photo's caption indicates this etching was first used in "The Illustrated London News" on May 12, 1866,
- Subject:
- Suspension bridges, BC Parks, Bridges, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Nature, Rivers, and Natural history
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1866~
- 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 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Yale
- Coordinates:
- 49.56202, -121.42974
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Stamped with Provincial Archives on the verso.
- 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:
- etchings (prints) and news photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.11
- 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:
- 2025-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600dpi; tif, LG). Metadata by KD.
3. A "Jerk-Line" freight outfit on the Cariboo Road, Thompson River, B.C.
- Title:
- A "Jerk-Line" freight outfit on the Cariboo Road, Thompson River, B.C.
- Description:
- A team of mules pulling freight wagons along the Cariboo Wagon trail passing the Great Bluff on the Thomson river about 88-90 miles above Yale.
- Subject:
- Natural history, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Nature, Roads, Draft animals, Pack animals (Transportation), BC Parks, and Mountain roads
- Creator:
- Dally, Frederick
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1867?/1868?
- 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 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Thompson River and British Columbia--Thompson River Valley
- Coordinates:
- 50.23304, -121.58589
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Pencil note on verso "Great Bluff - Thompson River - 88 miles above Yale"
- 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: 4.11
- 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:
- 2025-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600dpi; tif, LG). Metadata by KD.
4. Lytton in 1868
- Title:
- Lytton in 1868
- Description:
- The town of Lytton in its early days showing one main road lined with log houses and a winding river and mountains in the background. The photo's caption mentions the log houses lack windows, had split-shake roofs and used piles of boulders set against them for crude chimneys.
- Subject:
- Buildings, Frontier and pioneer life, Nature, Rivers, Cities and towns, Mountains, Log cabins, Roads, Dwellings, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, History, BC Parks, and Natural history
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1868
- 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 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Lytton
- Coordinates:
- 50.23194, -121.58196
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Stamped with Provincial Archives on verso. Pencil note on verso "Lytton BC, at the junction of the Fraser and Thompson Rivers - 57 miles above Yale 1868"
- 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: 4.11
- 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:
- 2025-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600dpi; tif, LG). Metadata by KD.
5. Neversweat Tunnel Co. Claim, Williams Creek
- Title:
- Neversweat Tunnel Co. Claim, Williams Creek
- Description:
- Group of miners standing around a mining cart in the entrance to a Neversweat claim mine shaft located by Williams Creek near Barkerville and Wells.
- Subject:
- Gold mines and mining, Mine shafts, Miners, BC Parks, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Natural history, Mines and mineral resources, and Nature
- Creator:
- Dally, Frederick
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1868?
- 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:
- Library and Archives Canada Item ID Number: 3624352 and BC Archives Number: A-00937
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 12.5 x 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Cariboo Regional District--Williams Creek
- Coordinates:
- 53.08322, -121.56949
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Stamped with Victoria Daily Times on the verso.
- 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: 4.11
- 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
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600dpi; tif, LG). Metadata by KD.
6. Steam to Cariboo! [newspaper article]
- Title:
- Steam to Cariboo! [newspaper article]
- Description:
- Article from the British Colonist Victoria Chronicle titled "Steam to Cariboo!" discussing the British Columbia General Transportation Company placing four Thomson's Patent Road Steamers on the route between Yale and Bakerville along with an image of one of the road steamers.
- Subject:
- Nature, Natural history, Vehicles, Transportation, BC Parks, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, and Roads
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1871-03-23
- 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 clipping ; 8 x 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Cariboo Regional District
- Coordinates:
- 52.33313, -123.16961
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Stamped with Victoria Daily Times and Provincial Archives on the verso.
- 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:
- articles, newspaper clippings, and newspapers
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.11
- 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:
- 2025-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600dpi; tif, LG). Metadata by KD.
7. Chinese labourers working on the Canadian Pacific Railway
- Title:
- Chinese labourers working on the Canadian Pacific Railway
- Description:
- Chinese immigrants labouring on the Canadian Pacific Railroad in the mountains of British Columbia.
- Subject:
- Railroads--Design and construction, History, Labor, BC Parks, Railroads, Canadian Pacific Railway Company, Immigrants, Nature, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Natural history, and Migrant labor
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1881
- 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 Provincial Archives digital collections image C-04284
- Extent:
- 1 photograph ; 25 x 20.5cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Kootenay Region
- Coordinates:
- 49.50381, -116.73522
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- In a folder labelled "Historic picture Kootenays and miscellaneous [ca.1898]"
- 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: 4.6
- 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:
- 2025-02-28/2025-03-04
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600 DPI tif LL). Metadata by KD.
8. Yale in construction days [illustration]
- Title:
- Yale in construction days [illustration]
- Description:
- An illustration of Front Street in the town of Yale during its construction. The Church of St. John the Divine can be seen in the top right corner of the illustration, the photo's caption notes this building is still standing.
- Subject:
- Natural history, Frontier and pioneer life, Nature, Buildings, Cities and towns, Street life, BC Parks, Historic buildings, British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, and Church buildings
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1885?
- 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:
- BC Archives Item PDP00411
- Extent:
- 1 illustration ; 10.5 x 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Yale
- Coordinates:
- 49.56202, -121.42974
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Stamped with BC Provincial Archives on the verso.
- 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:
- prints (visual works) and black-and-white prints (prints on paper)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.11
- 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:
- 2025-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600dpi; tif, LG). Metadata by KD.
9. Steamship "Galena" at Nelson 1886 - before the first house was built
- Title:
- Steamship "Galena" at Nelson 1886 - before the first house was built
- Description:
- The steamship names "Galena" in Nelson on the shore of Kootenay Lake with a group of people on it and loading supplies from horse-drawn carts.
- Subject:
- British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Boats and boating, Carriages and carts, History, Lakes, Natural history, Frontier and pioneer life, BC Parks, Steamboats, Pioneers, Nature, and Horses
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1886?
- 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 ; 13.5 x 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Nelson
- Coordinates:
- 49.48791, -117.28364
- 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: 4.11
- 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:
- 2025-01/2025-02
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600dpi; tif, LG). Metadata by KD.
10. Yale in the 1890's
- Title:
- Yale in the 1890's
- Description:
- Aerial photo looking down on the town of Yale on the banks of the Fraser River. The photo's caption notes that there is a gold dredge in the river and that the historic church of St. John the Divine can be seen.
- Subject:
- British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Dredges, Frontier and pioneer life, BC Parks, Church buildings, Mountains, Cities and towns, Gold dredging, Natural history, Rivers, Nature, and Roads
- Contributor:
- Lyons, C. P. (Chester Peter), 1915-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 189X
- 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 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Yale
- Coordinates:
- 49.56202, -121.42974
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Stamped with BC Provincial Archives on the verso.
- 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, black-and-white photographs, and aerial photographs
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2007-039; Series: Photographic materials; Subseries: 03; File: 4.11
- 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:
- 2025-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Epson Expression 1300XL (600dpi; tif, LG). Metadata by KD.