Early British Columbia Maps
User Collection Public
These maps, from the National Archives of the UK, primarily span the dates 1846-1876 and show the development of the territory from the two founding colonies until after the Province joined confederation. A few earlier maps were collected by the Colonial Office in response to the San Juan dispute and these are also included.
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/667ca6ed-c872-4162-9a5f-7180ad5a1b65
Collection Details
- Items 248
- Last Updated 2025-02-21
Parent Collections (1)
Works (248)
101. Cedar District (1859) (Rough sketch)
- Title:
- Cedar District (1859) (Rough sketch)
- Description:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts. Lithographed at the Topographical Dept of the War Office, London, 1859: Cedar District. [Vancouver Island, 1859]. Scale 2 inches to 1 mile.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. War Office. Topographical Depot.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- Penfold Number: 568
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts
- Geographic Coverage:
- Northumberland Channel--British Columbia and British Columbia--Nanaimo
- Coordinates:
- 49.14825, -123.86098 and 49.16638, -123.94003
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1859
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:31,680
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: CO700-BRITISH COLUMBIA7 (3)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 23, 2010.
102. Comiaken District (1859)
- Title:
- Comiaken District (1859)
- Description:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts. Lithographed at the Topographical Dept of the War Office, London, 1859: Comiaken District. [Vancouver Island, 1859]. Scale 20 chains to 1 inch. Land type and vegetation described.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- Subject:
- Land use
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. War Office. Topographical Depot.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- Penfold Number: 568
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Vancouver Island, British Columbia--Quamichan Lake, British Columbia--Maple Bay, and British Columbia--Comiaken Land District
- Coordinates:
- 48.81602, -123.59915, 49.65064, -125.44939, and 48.82463, -123.62766
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1859
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:15,840
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: CO700-BRITISH COLUMBIA7 (7)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 23, 2010.
103. Comiaken District (1859)
- Title:
- Comiaken District (1859)
- Description:
- 1 item extracted from CO 305/10. Vancouver Island. Map of Comiaken District. Scale: 1 inch to 20 chains. [Vancouver Island, 1859]. Relief shown by hachures. Describes vegetation and land quality. Original map produced by the Topographical Depot of the War Office, London, 1859.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- Subject:
- Land use
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- Penfold Number: 569
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Vancouver Island, British Columbia--Comiaken Region, and British Columbia--Maple Bay
- Coordinates:
- 49.65064, -125.44939 and 48.81602, -123.59915
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1859
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:15,840
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: MPG1-248
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-22
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 29, 2010.
104. Cowichan District (1859)
- Title:
- Cowichan District (1859)
- Description:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts. Lithographed at the Topographical Dept of the War Office, London, 1859: Cowichan District. [Vancouver Island, 1859]. Scale 20 chains to 1 inch. Describes vegetation.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- Subject:
- Land use
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. War Office. Topographical Depot.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- Penfold Number: 568
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Vancouver Island, British Columbia--Cowichan Valley, and British Columbia--Cowichan River Estuary
- Coordinates:
- 49.65064, -125.44939 and 48.83292, -124.21941
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1859
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:15,840
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: CO700-BRITISH COLUMBIA7 (5)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP april 23, 2010. and 600 dpi jpg
105. Cowichan District (1859)
- Title:
- Cowichan District (1859)
- Description:
- 1 item extracted from CO 305/10. Vancouver Island. Map of Cowichan District. Scale: 1 inch to 20 chains. [Vancouver Island, 1859]. Relief shown by hachures. Describes vegetation. Original map produced by the Topographical Depot of the War Office, London, 1859.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- Subject:
- Land use
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- Penfold Number: 569
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Cowichan Valley, British Columbia--Vancouver Island, and British Columbia--Cowichan River Estuary
- Coordinates:
- 48.83292, -124.21941 and 49.65064, -125.44939
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1859
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:15,840
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: MPG1-246
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-22
- Technical Note:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 29, 2010. and 600 dpi jpg
106. Cranberry District (1859) (Rough sketch)
- Title:
- Cranberry District (1859) (Rough sketch)
- Description:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts. Lithographed at the Topographical Dept of the War Office, London, 1859: Cranberry District. [Vancouver Island, 1859]. Scale 2 inches to 1 mile.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. War Office. Topographical Depot.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- Penfold Number: 568
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Nanaimo, British Columbia--Vancouver Island, and British Columbia--Cranberry Lake
- Coordinates:
- 49.16638, -123.94003
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1859
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:31,680
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: CO700-BRITISH COLUMBIA7 (2)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 23, 2010.
107. Esquimalt Harbour from HMS Plumper
- Title:
- Esquimalt Harbour from HMS Plumper
- Description:
- Chart of Esquimalt Harbour, Vancouver Island (now in British Columbia, Canada), from HMS Plumper, drawn by Mr Gowlland, Second Master. Originally enclosed in a letter dated 14 November 1859 on the defences of the harbour from Rear Admiral R L Baynes to the Secretary of the Admiralty. [Esquimalt, 1859]. Relief shown in spot heights and hachures. Soundings in fathoms. Name of artist in manuscript, initialed "GHR". First Nations reserves and village shown.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Esquimalt, 1859
- Subject:
- Indigenous peoples and Nautical charts
- Creator:
- Gowlland, John Thomas Ewing
- Contributor:
- Baynes, Robert Lambert and Richards, G. H. (George Henry)
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- National Archives Number: MFQ1-632 (2) and Penfold Number: 456
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia and British Columbia--Esquimalt
- Coordinates:
- 48.43569, -123.41174 and 48.43753, -123.44191
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:12,160
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 28, 2010.
108. Haro and Rosario Straits
- Title:
- Haro and Rosario Straits
- Description:
- Admiralty chart 2689. Haro and Rosario Straits. Surveyed by G.H. Richards, Capt; and the officers of HMS Plumper. 1:145,800. Admiralty, 1859. [Haro and Rosario Straits, 1859] Engraved by J. & C. Walker.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Haro and Rosario Straits, 1859
- Subject:
- Nautical charts
- Creator:
- Richards, G. H. (George Henry)
- Contributor:
- J. & C. Walker (Firm)
- Publisher:
- Great Britain, Hydrographic Office
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- Penfold Number: 486
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- North America, West coast, Haro and Rosario Straits
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Pacific Ocean--Rosario Strait, Washington (State), and Pacific Ocean--Haro Strait
- Coordinates:
- 49 15'N--48 05'N / 123 35'W--122 25'W, 47.50012, -120.50147, 48.56121, -122.75962, 53.99983, -125.0032, 48.54876, -123.21918, and 48.93502, -123.58864
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1858/1859
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:145,800
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: FO925-1384
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-06-21
- Technical Note:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by GF June 21, 2010. and 600 dpi jpg
109. Index Map: to explain the connection between the separate District Maps (16 in number), 8 of which, coloured pink, are described in the communication to His Exellency the Governor dated July 22nd, 1859
- Title:
- Index Map: to explain the connection between the separate District Maps (16 in number), 8 of which, coloured pink, are described in the communication to His Exellency the Governor dated July 22nd, 1859
- Description:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts. Lithographed at the Topographical Dept of the War Office, London, 1859: Index Map. [Vancouver Island, 1859]
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- Subject:
- Indexes
- Creator:
- Great Britain. War Office. Topographical Depot
- Contributor:
- Cooke, A. C.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- Penfold Number: 568
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Vancouver Island
- Coordinates:
- 49.65064, -125.44939
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: CO700-BRITISH COLUMBIA7 (10)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP, 21 April, 2010.
110. Index map : to explain the connection between the separate District Maps ...
- Title:
- Index map : to explain the connection between the separate District Maps ...
- Description:
- 1 item extracted from CO 305/10. Vancouver Island. Index map to MPG 1/241-MPG 1/248. Scale: 1 inch to 6 miles. [Vancouver Island, 1859]. "to explain the connection between the separate District Maps (16 in number), 8 of which, coloured pink, are described in the communication to His Exellency the Governor dated July 22nd, 1859." Original map produced by the Topographical Depot of the War Office, London, 1859.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- Subject:
- Indexes
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1859
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- These images are provided under license by The National Archives of the UK and cannot be reproduced or copied without their permission. To purchase high-resolution tiff files of these maps for publication, contact: image-library@nationalarchives.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 8392 5225. A scale of reproduction fees applies for commercial publication, exhibition display or TV broadcast. Details on request. Request should cite the National Archives Number. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action. These images are provided for research only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage
- Identifier:
- Penfold Number: 569
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Vancouver Island
- Coordinates:
- 49.65064, -125.44939
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1859
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:380,160
- Physical Repository:
- National Archives (Great Britain)
- Collection:
- Early BC Maps Collection
- Provenance:
- National Archives of the UK
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Sponsor:
- Funded by a Canadian Council of Archives, Archival Community Digitization Program.
- Genre:
- maps (documents) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: MPG1-249
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-22
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 29, 2010.