Thinking of that summer retreat to cooler climates? A place where good summer weather is almost guaranteed but the temperatures very rarely exceed the mid 30’s C? Where scenic beauty is unrivalled and population levels are perfect?
Well the new gold rush has started, the fastest growing British Columbia industry is mining with record breaking exploration and extraction. This boom is going to exceed the 1800’s rush! The other B.C. gold rush, particularly on Vancouver Island, is the acquisition of unique trophy properties.
Vancouver Island is steeped in history and has close ties to the USA. The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) built Fort Victoria in 1843 and the colony of Vancouver Island was established in 1849. At one time the entire island was leased to the HBC. In 1858, over 20,000 determined prospectors (many from California, where the gold rush of 1849 had petered out) made the trip to prosperous B.C. They traveled from the HBC stockade of Fort Victoria and up the Fraser River in search of recently discovered gold in the surrounding properties. Quickly, towns sprang up and grew to become flourishing boomtowns. The legacy of these prospectors can be found in the many Ghost Towns that dot the area today.
In response to the frenzied discovery and mining of gold, the British Government created the mainland colony of British Columbia in 1858. Governor James Douglas, chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company and governor of Vancouver Island, became the new governor of British Columbia. In 1866 the colony of Vancouver Island was combined with the colony of British Columbia, with Victoria becoming the provincial capital on April 2, 1868. In 1871, with the promise of completing the Canadian Pacific Railway by 1885, British Columbia was led into confederation with Victoria as the seat of Government.
Besides a scenic smorgasbord, Vancouver Island and surrounding Gulf Islands offer an unrivaled outdoor experience; sports fishing being one of the most popular. The waters contain plentiful salmon, halibut and shellfish. Outdoor enthusiasts are fully sated here, with the highest caliber golf courses, sailing, and skiing opportunities imaginable. The mother lode has been found! After a full day enjoying such wealth, one can find the perfect counterpoint in a rich offering of fine arts and culture, nourished by culinary delights, and massaged at exquisite spa retreats. Such luxury is the appropriate reward for the modern, Vancouver Island, gold seeker!
On Sunday May 31st between 1 and 4 pm at the Beverly Hills Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel there will be a free exhibition on the region and its affordable trophy properties, presented by Ian Heath and Marilyn Ball from Pemberton Holmes Ltd. Victoria B.C. This will include free glossy brochures and a PowerPoint pictorial presentation on the area and properties.
