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)
121. Shawnigan District (1859)
- Title:
- Shawnigan District (1859)
- Description:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts. Lithographed at the Topographical Dept of the War Office, London, 1859: Shawnigan District. [Vancouver Island, 1859]
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- Contributor:
- Cooke, A. C.
- 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--Shawnigan Lake, and British Columbia--Shawnigan Region
- Coordinates:
- 49.65064, -125.44939 and 48.63167, -123.64028
- 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 (8)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP, April 21,2010.
122. Shawnigan District (1859)
- Title:
- Shawnigan District (1859)
- Description:
- 1 item extracted from CO 305/10. Vancouver Island. Map of Shawnican [Shawnigan] District. Scale: 1 inch to 20 chains. [Vancouver Island, 1859]. Relief shown by hachures. Some plots show acreage. Shawnigan Lake not shown. Original map produced by the Topographical Depot of the War Office, London, 1859.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1859
- 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--Shawnigan Lake, and British Columbia--Shawnigan Region
- Coordinates:
- 49.65064, -125.44939 and 48.63167, -123.64028
- 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: MPG1-243
- 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
123. Sketch of part of British Columbia
- Title:
- Sketch of part of British Columbia
- Description:
- Sketch of part of British Columbia, by Lieut. R. C. Mayne, R.N., of H.M.S. "Plumper," 1859. About 2 miles to 1 inch. Author, Publisher, &c.: War Office, London. [British Columbia, 1859]. Shows First Nations territories and villages.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: British Columbia, 1859
- Subject:
- Indigenous peoples
- Creator:
- Mayne, Richard Charles
- 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:
- National Archives Number: CO700-BRITISH COLUMBIA8 (2) and Penfold Number: 389
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia, British Columbia--Fraser Canyon, and British Columbia--Harrison Lake (Fraser Valley Regional District)
- Coordinates:
- 49.55139, -121.84583, 53.99983, -125.0032, and 49.633, -121.41925
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:291,456
- 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 21, 2010.
124. Somenos District (1859)
- Title:
- Somenos District (1859)
- Description:
- Vancouver Island Colony. Sketch Maps of Districts. Lithographed at the Topographical Dept of the War Office, London, 1859: Somenos District. [Vancouver Island, 1859]. Scale 20 chains to 1 inch. Describes vegetation and land quality.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: British Columbia, 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--Vancouver Island, British Columbia--Duncan, and Somenos Lake--British Columbia
- Coordinates:
- 49.65064, -125.44939 and 48.78293, -123.70266
- 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 (4)
- 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
125. Somenos District (1859)
- Title:
- Somenos District (1859)
- Description:
- 1 item extracted from CO 305/10. Vancouver Island. Map of Somenos 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
- 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
- Alternative Title:
- Somenos District, 1859
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Vancouver Island and Somenos Region--British Columbia
- Coordinates:
- 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: MPG1-244
- 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
126. Vancouver Island and the Gulf of Georgia
- Title:
- Vancouver Island and the Gulf of Georgia
- Description:
- North America West Coast. Vancouver Island and the Gulf of Georgia : from the surveys of Captain G. Vancouver R.N. 1793, Captains D. Galiano and C. Valdes 1792, Captain H. Kellett R.N. 1847 ; Rosario and Haro Straits from the United States Coast Survey 1854. Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty, 1849, corrections to 1856; J. & C. Walker sculpt. Admiralty map 1917. [Vancouver Island, 1849; 1856] Insets: Engraved views from Cook's and Vancouver's Voyages. Relief shown by hachuring. Soundings in fathoms. Shows First Nations villages; forts; Vancouver's track; anchorages. MS notes in red describe terrain. Additional line extends Fraser and Thompson Rivers.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Vancouver Island, 1849, 1856
- Subject:
- Indigenous peoples, United States Coast Survey, and Nautical charts
- Contributor:
- Vancouver, George, 1757-1798, Valdés Flores Bazán y Peón, Cayetano, 1767-1835, Kellett, Henry, 1806-1875, Alcalá-Galiano, Dionisio, 1760-1805, J. & C. Walker (Firm), and Cook, James, 1728-1779
- 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:
- National Archives Number: FO925-1383 and Penfold Number: 563
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Vancouver Island and the Strait of Georgia
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia, Pacific Ocean--Rosario Strait, Pacific Ocean--Strait of Georgia, Pacific Ocean--Haro Strait, and British Columbia--Vancouver Island
- Coordinates:
- 49.65064, -125.44939, 49.48262, -124.06723, 48.56121, -122.75962, 48.54876, -123.21918, and 53.99983, -125.0032
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1849/1856
- 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:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP May 5, 2010. and 600 dpi jpg
127. Map of the Country from Lake Superior to the Pacific Ocean, showing the Western Boundary of Canada & the Eastern Boundary of British Columbia, also the Fertile Belt stretching from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains
- Title:
- Map of the Country from Lake Superior to the Pacific Ocean, showing the Western Boundary of Canada & the Eastern Boundary of British Columbia, also the Fertile Belt stretching from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains
- Description:
- 1 item (enclosure to Henry Youle Hind's letter (9498 North America) of 24 September 1860) extracted from CO 6/32. 'Map of the Country from Lake Superior to the Pacific Ocean, showing the Western Boundary of Canada & the Eastern Boundary of British Columbia, also the Fertile Belt stretching from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains'. Scale: 1 inch to about 90 miles. List of authorities used for the map. Hind was the author of the original map. Drawn and lithographed by John Arrowsmith, 1860.
- Subject:
- British North American Exploring Expedition and Assiniboine and Saskatchewan Exploring Expedition
- Creator:
- Hind, Henry Youle, 1823-1908
- Contributor:
- Arrowsmith, John, 1790-1873
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1860
- 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
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Lake Superior to the Pacific Ocean.
- Geographic Coverage:
- Canada, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta
- Coordinates:
- 60.10867, -113.64258, 57 15'N-45N/127 15'W-84W, 55.00019, -97.00049, 49.25014, -84.49983, 53.99983, -125.0032, 52.28333, -117.469, and 54.0001, -106.00099
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1860
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:5,702,400
- 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:
- 2010-04-22
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 30, 2010.
128. Nanaimo Harbour and Departure Bay
- Title:
- Nanaimo Harbour and Departure Bay
- Description:
- Vancouver Island (subsequently part of British Columbia, now in Canada). 'Nanaimo Harbour and Departure Bay surveyed by Capt. G.H. Richards R.N. H.M.S. Plumper, 1862 [sic]... '. Scale: 1 inch to about 500 yards. Compass rose. Engraved by J and C Walker; published at the Admiralty, 1 September 1860; corrected to 1878. [Nanaimo, 1860; 1878; 1879]
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Nanaimo, 1860, 1878, 1879
- Subject:
- Nautical charts and Harbors
- Creator:
- Richards, G. H. (George Henry)
- Contributor:
- Pender, Daniel R. and J. & C. Walker (Firm)
- Publisher:
- Great Britain, Hydrographic Office
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1860/1879
- 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: 527
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Nanaimo, British Columbia, and Canada--Great Bear Lake--Departure Bay
- Coordinates:
- 53.99983, -125.0032, 49.20207, -123.97618, and 49.16638, -123.94003
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1862/1866
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:18,240
- 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: WO78-2311 (22)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Transcript:
- To accompany my report of this day's date, J.B. Lovell, Colonel Commanding Rl. Engr., Halifax, N.S. 20th December 1879
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by CDW, April 29, 2010
129. Plan of the town of Victoria (1860)
- Title:
- Plan of the town of Victoria (1860)
- Description:
- 1 item extracted from CO 305/14. Vancouver Island: Victoria. Plan of the town: the Custom House, Post Office, Police barracks and exercise yard, Hudson's Bay Company's Fort, numbered lots, Government Street, Yates Street. With notes on areas. Scale: 2 inches to 1 chain. Enclosure to despatch of 16 February 1860. [Victoria, 1860]. Title supplied by cataloguer.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Victoria, 1860
- Subject:
- Buildings and City planning
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1860
- 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: 578
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Victoria
- Coordinates:
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1860
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:396
- 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:
- lots (land) and historical maps
- Archival Item Identifier:
- National Archives Number: MPG1-250
- 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
130. Plans and elevation of a coal shed on Thetis Island, Esquimalt Harbour, Vancouver Island
- Title:
- Plans and elevation of a coal shed on Thetis Island, Esquimalt Harbour, Vancouver Island
- Description:
- Plans and elevation of a coal shed on Thetis Island, Esquimalt Harbour, Vancouver Island (now in British Columbia, Canada). Scale: 1/8 inch to 1 foot. Signed by W Willis, Lieutenant Royal Marine Light Infantry, HMS Ganges. Originally enclosed, with an estimate, in letter no 9 dated 10 January 1860 from Robert Lambert Baynes CB, Rear Admiral.
- Subject:
- Architecture--Designs and plans, Architectural drawing, and Industrial buildings--Design and construction
- Creator:
- Willis, W.
- Contributor:
- Baynes, Robert Lambert
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1860
- 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
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- 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:
- historical maps and building plans
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 29, 2010.