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)
161. Geological sketch of the south east of Vancouver Island and part of the coast of the Gulf of Georgia
- Title:
- Geological sketch of the south east of Vancouver Island and part of the coast of the Gulf of Georgia
- Description:
- Exploration (1857-1860). Captain Palliser's general report and journal. [British Columbia, 1863]. [Map] No. 8. "Captain Palliser's explorations in British North America - To accompany 'The journals, detailed reports, and observations' presented to both Houses of Parliament, May 18th 1863." Published by Stanford's Geographical Establishment, London.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: British Columbia, 1863
- Subject:
- Discoveries in geography and British North American Exploring Expedition
- Creator:
- British North American Exploring Expedition
- Contributor:
- Hector, James, Sir, 1834-1907 and Palliser, John, 1807-1887
- Publisher:
- Edward Stanford Ltd.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1862
- 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: 413
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- South east of Vancouver Island and part of the coast of the Gulf of Georgia
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Gulf Islands, British Columbia, British Columbia--Lower Mainland, Pacific Ocean--Strait of Georgia, and British Columbia--Vancouver Island
- Coordinates:
- 48N / 124W-123W, 48.93502, -123.58864, 49.08333, -122.35, 49.48262, -124.06723, 49.65064, -125.44939, and 53.99983, -125.0032
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1859
- 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: CO6-36 (9)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- 600 dpi jpg and Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 22, 2010.
162. Hope to Similkameen and Rock Creek. Lillooet to Kamloops and Okanagan Lake
- Title:
- Hope to Similkameen and Rock Creek. Lillooet to Kamloops and Okanagan Lake
- Description:
- Hope to Similkameen and Rock Creek. Lillooet to Kamloops and Okanagan Lake. 10 miles to 1 inch. New Westminster. [British Columbia, 1862]. Drawn by J. Conroy R.E. Prepared under the direction of Capt. Parsons, New Westminster, March 1862. Lithographed by W. Oldham.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: British Columbia, 1862
- Creator:
- Conroy, James
- Contributor:
- Oldham, William and Parsons, Robert Mann
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Army. Royal Engineers. Columbia Detachment.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1862
- 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: 405
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Lillooet to Kamloops and Okanagan Lake
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia, British Columbia--Okanagan Valley (Region), and British Columbia--Dewdney Trail
- Coordinates:
- 53.99983, -125.0032, 50.36386, -119.34997, and 49.16667, -122.2
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1862
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:633,600
- 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 COLUMBIA11 (11)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 26, 2010. and 600 dpi jpg
163. Nanaimo Harbour
- Title:
- Nanaimo Harbour
- Description:
- Vancouver Island (subsequently part of British Columbia, now in Canada). Chart: 'Nanaimo Harbour Surveyed by Capt. G. H. Richards, R.N., and the Officers of H.M.S. Hecate 1862 ...'. Compass rose. Drawn for engraving by E J Powell; engraved by Davies and Powell; published at the Admiralty, 23 May 1864; corrected to 1878. [Nanaimo, 1864; 1878; 1879]
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Nanaimo, 1864, 1878, 1879
- Subject:
- Nautical charts and Harbors
- Creator:
- Richards, G. H. (George Henry)
- Contributor:
- Davies & Powell and Powell, E. J.
- Publisher:
- Great Britain, Hydrographic Office
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1862/1879
- 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: 532
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Nanaimo
- Coordinates:
- 49.16638, -123.94003
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1862/1864
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:6080
- 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 (24)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Transcript:
- To accompany my report of this day's date, J.B. Lovell, Colonel C. R. Engineer, 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
164. New Westminster, British Columbia (1862)
- Title:
- New Westminster, British Columbia (1862)
- Description:
- Plan of New Westminster, showing Government and Municipal Reserves, Royal Hospital Grants and Grants to Churches. 12 inches to 1 mile. New Westminster. [British Columbia, 1861; 1862] Coloured reference key. Drawn by J. Launders R.E. Lithographed under the direction of Capt. Parsons R.E. New Westminster, July 1862. Printed by W. Oldham R.E.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: British Columbia, 1861, 1862
- Subject:
- City planning
- Creator:
- Launders, James Benjamin
- Contributor:
- Oldham, William and Parsons, Robert Mann
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Army. Royal Engineers. Columbia Detachment.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1862
- 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: 401
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia and British Columbia--New Westminster
- Coordinates:
- 49.20678, -122.91092 and 53.99983, -125.0032
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1862
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:5280.
- 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 COLUMBIA11 (9)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 26, 2010. and 600 dpi jpg
165. Plan of Williams Creek, Caribou
- Title:
- Plan of Williams Creek, Caribou
- Description:
- British Columbia: Cariboo District. 'Plan of Williams Creek, Caribou and of the ground occupied for mining purposes, shewing about five miles of the creek; with a list of Mining companies and the claims held by each; with rotation numbers referring to the plan; the area for each Free Miner being a Square of One hundred feet. September 30th. 1862'. Reference table. No scale shown. Compass indicator. [Williams Creek, 1862]
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Williams Creek, 1862
- Subject:
- Gold mines and mining, Mining corporations, and Mining claims
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1862
- 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: 592
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Williams Creek
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia, British Columbia--Cariboo Regional District, and Williams Creek--British Columbia
- Coordinates:
- 52.33313, -123.16961, 53.08322, -121.56949, and 53.99983, -125.0032
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1862
- 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: MPG1-648 (4)
- 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.
166. Sketch of Cariboo Mines (1862)
- Title:
- Sketch of Cariboo Mines (1862)
- Description:
- Sketch of Cariboo Mines, by Mr. F. Black, January, 1862. 10 miles to 1 inch. [New Westminster]. [British Columbia, 1862]. Drawn by J. Turnbull R.E. Lithographed by W. Oldham R.E.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: British Columbia, 1862
- Subject:
- Gold mines and mining
- Creator:
- Black, F.
- Contributor:
- Turnbull, James and Oldham, William
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1862
- 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: 406
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia--Quesnel Lake, and British Columbia
- Coordinates:
- 52.33313, -123.16961, 52.50833, -120.93889, and 53.99983, -125.0032
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1862
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:6333,600
- 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 COLUMBIA11 (12)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-12
- Technical Note:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 26, 2010. and 600 dpi jpg
167. Sketch of Stikeen River
- Title:
- Sketch of Stikeen River
- Description:
- Alaska. Chart of the Stikine River from the mouth at Point Highfield to Turn Point, about 30 miles up river showing the channel and soundings, native village. Scale: 1 inch to 1 mile. Compass indicator.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1862?
- 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:
- Sketch of Stikine River
- Geographic Coverage:
- North America--Stikine River
- Coordinates:
- 56.56389, -132.40444
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:63,360
- 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:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by CDW, April 27, 2010 and 600 dpi jpg
168. Sketch of the route from North Bentinck Arm to Fort Alexander
- Title:
- Sketch of the route from North Bentinck Arm to Fort Alexander
- Description:
- British Columbia. 'Sketch of the Route from North Bentinck Arm to Fort Alexander. By Lieut. H.S. Palmer, R.E., to accompany Report of 24 Novr 1862.' Reference table to routes, Government reserves etc. Scale: 1 inch to 10 miles. Compass indicator. Prepared by the Royal Engineers at the Office of Lands and Works, New Westminster, by order of R C Moody, Col RE, February 1863. Drawn by C Sinnett, RE. Lithographed by W Oldham, RE. Inset: 'Sketch of the Head of North Bentinck Arm'. Scale: 2 inches to 1 mile. With a partial elevation (profile) of trail. Scale: 1 inch to 5,000 feet (vertical). [British Columbia, 1862; 1863]. Relief shown by spot heights and hachures. Describes land and vegetation.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: British Columbia, 1862, 1863
- Subject:
- Fort Alexandria National Historic Site
- Creator:
- Palmer, H. Spencer (Henry Spencer), 1838-1893
- Contributor:
- Columbia Detachment, Oldham, William, Sinnett, Charles, and Great Britain. Army. Royal Engineers
- Publisher:
- British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Works.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1862/1863
- 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: 408
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- North Bentinck Arm to Fort Alexander
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia and North Bentinck Arm--British Columbia
- Coordinates:
- 52.37361, -126.86196, 52N-51N/127W-123W, and 53.99983, -125.0032
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1862/1863
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:633,600 (Inset map: 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: MPG1-652 (2)
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-22
- Technical Note:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP April 30, 2010. and 600 dpi jpg
169. Map of the subdivisions of Beckley Farm and the Lands South and West of James Bay, Victoria, Vancouver Island. 7th. January 1863
- Title:
- Map of the subdivisions of Beckley Farm and the Lands South and West of James Bay, Victoria, Vancouver Island. 7th. January 1863
- Description:
- 1 item extracted from CO 305/21 (folio 212). British Columbia. 'Map of the subdivisions of Beckley Farm and the Lands South and West of James Bay, Victoria, Vancouver Island. 7th. January 1863' with named streets, numbered lots, proprietors, and acreage. [Victoria, 1863]. James Bay Peninsula, formerly a HBC farm.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: Victoria, 1863
- Subject:
- City planning
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1863
- 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: 582
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- Beckley Farm
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Victoria, British Columbia, and British Columbia--James Bay
- Coordinates:
- 53.99983, -125.0032 and 48.4359, -123.35155
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1863
- 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: MPG1-659
- Date Digitized:
- 2010-04-22
- Technical Note:
- Watermarks added to images by KM, JF, and CDW. Metadata by JTP May 3, 2010. and 600 dpi jpg
170. Northern British Columbia
- Title:
- Northern British Columbia
- Description:
- British Columbia, Sheet 5. Map of the country between 118 30'W and 125 30'W and between 51N and 5340'N. Scale: 1 inch to 20 miles. Reduced and drawn by J Conroy, RE. Prepared under the direction of Capt Parsons, RE, New Westminster, October 1863, by order of R C Moody, Col RE. Lithographed by W Oldham, RE. [British Columbia, 1863]. Shows locations of First Nations villages, wagon roads and bridle paths. Title supplied by cataloger.
- Keyword:
- Penfold Category: British Columbia, 1863
- Subject:
- Indigenous peoples
- Creator:
- Conroy, James
- Contributor:
- Parsons, Robert Mann
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Army. Royal Engineers. Columbia Detachment.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1863
- 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: 411 and National Archives Number: MPG1-654 (2)
- Extent:
- 1 sheet
- Alternative Title:
- British Columbia, Sheet 5'
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Chilcotin Plateau, British Columbia--Cariboo Regional District, and Northern British Columbia
- Coordinates:
- 53.99983, -125.0032 and 52.33313, -123.16961
- Chronological Coverage:
- 1863
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- 1:1,267,200
- 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.