The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

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Mrs Davis, Widow of late lighthouse keeper at Race Rocks, is in want with 4 small children crying for bread. We are assured that the poor woman has done all in her power to procure employment, and that her exertions in that direction have met with poor success. Cannot something be done in her behalf? We are aware that there have been many calls upon the public of late for assistance; but ‘the poor ye have always with ye,’ and those who have no work to give would little miss a small donation. [Colonist, 1867-02-28, p. 3]

tender call, erection of FOG BELL TOWER at Race Rocks Lighthouse, signed B. W. Pearse, Lands & Works office [Colonist, 1870-07-12, p. 1]

John Costello, better known by the sobriquet of ‘Billy the Bug’ died at Race Rocks lighthouse, Jan 19, 1871 under very distressing circumstances. The poor man left Victoria in an open boat with supplies for the lighthouse, 12 miles distant. A gale sprang up shortly afterwards and he was driven past the rocks to the American side. Continue reading Lighthouse History – 03 (1867-02-28 to 1871-01-21) →

The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

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Esquimalt Lighthouse (Fisgard Lighthouse – ed) is now completed, except the lantern… [Colonist, 1860-06-09, p. 2]

By the Grecian the lanterns for the Fisguard Is and Race Rocks lighthouses, and the keepers of the same, arrived… [Colonist, 1860-08-09]

Schooner Meg Merillee has arrived from Barclay Sound, and reports that in passing the Race rocks yesterday morning a black flag was observed flying from the top of the lighthouse. Was it intended as a sign that some person had died? We feel anxious to know the cause of the display. [Workmen who had gone down to repair the lighthouse, and out of provisions, had lived on clams alone for 5 days] [Colonist, 1862-04-17] Continue reading Lighthouse History – 02 (1860-06-09 to 1865-12-28) →

The following extracts taken from early Victoria, British Columbia (BC) newspapers are credited to Leona Taylor for her excellent work in indexing the papers. Full information can be found here: “Index of Historical Victoria Newspapers“, 2007-09.

I have started this with the earliest paper of 1858. When you go on the newspaper website you can see more details in the scanned copies of the old papers. The newspaper links to the scanned copies are located at the end of each short summary (see the excerpts below).

When Ms. Taylor sent me the information, I was overwhelmed. Here was a source of names for past lighthouse keepers for my Lighthouse Keeper Database.

And now on to the newspaper excerpts . . .

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Captain Nagle purposes erecting a temporary lighthouse on McCauley’s Point (McCauley Point – ed). He has already purchased a lantern at a cost of $100. This is a very necessary improvement, for it will be remembered that about 3 months ago Eliza Anderson ran by the harbor into Esquimalt in a dark, rainy night. Besides, we believe that we are correct in stating that the Major Tompkins was lost there several years ago. [Colonist, 1859-12-01]

Coroner’s jury in the case of Edward Jones, who died on Waddington alley, Apr 12, censured the policeman having him in charge very severely, for not promptly summoning medical aid…Deceased had been employed as a cook at one of the lighthouses in the vicinity of this harbor (Berens Island?). He entered the Chinese restaurant on Waddington Alley in a high state of intoxication…page 1 [Colonist, 1860-04-14]

Esquimalt Light House – H. O. Tiedemann did lighthouse and Wright the house for the keeper, long article, number of mentions of Wright [Colonist, 1860-06-09, p. 2]

Esquimalt Lighthouse (Fisgard Lighthouse – ed.) designed by Mr. Tidieman [sic] of Surveyor General’s office, the light tower and house for the keeper erected by well-known architect John Wright – full description [Colonist, 1860-06-09, p. 2]