1936 tourist promotion film featuring the Observatory

For centuries, Canada’s Pacific Coast was the goal of exploration.

In slow procession through the years came such adventures as Captain James Cook, Captain George Vancouver and a host of others whose footprints have faded from the sands of Time.

As a living tribute to those Hardy pioneers, the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island stands today monumental to their achievements and Opal set in emeralds, a jewel city among the capitals of the world.

As in the.days of old the sea is the highway to Victoria.

Her gateway is her picturesque harbour.

Today one steps ashore from Palacial coastal liners.

Greeted by an atmosphere which is distinctly restful.

As exemplified by the Ivy Covered Empress Hotel, a modern hostelry of world renowned facing the Placid waters of the inner harbor.

The hotel grounds, with their wide green flower, bordered lawns and Trellised walks are one of the sights of Victoria.

Here, visitors gather.

From the four corners of the Earth vacation bound in the Garden City of the West.

Bowling on the Green, a game made famous by the illustrious Sir Francis Drake, still retains its popularity on the Velvet Greens of Victoria.

And after a day of play, there is always the attractive enclosure of the crystal gardens with the inviting possibilities of a quiet cup of tea or a stroll on the glass-covered promenade.

Or even a dip in the clear.

Salt waters of the swimming pool.

The provincial legislative buildings are among the most imposing structures of their kind on the continent.

The grounds surrounding these stately buildings are a fitting setting for a memorial commemorating those who died upon the fields of war, the Deathless legions who sacrificed their lives for peace, justice and humanity.

Expended prospect by day, these stately buildings are even more impressive at night.

At the turn of a switch, the magic of electricity throws the outline in sharp relief against the darkened sky.

Beacon Hill Park nearby is a sanctuary of charm.

Under the duping willows, the Swans sail majestically over their reflections in the green waters of good acre lake.

Shady pears wind through cool woods.

While at Tally Hall, stepping out of the pages of a medieval past lends enchantment to the scene.

Here, gardens thrive in a climate that is almost Tropic in the embrace of perpetual summer, which holds undisputed sway for 12 long months of the year.

It is no wonder that things grow and bloom beneath smiling western skies for the warm ocean currents of Japan bring life and luxury to a happy island that bathes in the Pacific.

Even the animals can find in the generous dimensions of Beacon Hill Park Zoo, reflect a spirit of contentment.

But Victoria is not merely a mammoth garden.

For here, the ingenuity of man has created a busy city with great wide boulevards for streets.

Its enterprising business section speaks of a rich commerce and a lucrative industrial life.

The characteristic beauty of its residential districts has made Victoria distinctly a home city as a place in which to live.

It is different from other cities, less in a hurry, more tranquil, more beautiful.

It is no wonder that Cook, Vancouver and a host of adventures of other years are recognized in Victoria journeys.

A goal to compensate for the hardships of those bygone days.

Today, Victoria is a city of sunshine, of Flowers and gardens of trim, boulevards and lovely streets.

Everywhere are the greenest of green lawns and hedges, rivaling those of Old England.

Zero degree weather is unknown, so also is excessive heat.

The temperature varies little from summer to winter, and there is always sunshine after office hours.

The tired businessman goes home and grows young amidst his flowers.

And here is still another reminder of the old.

England in the Pendrey Gardens it is not the flowers, but the shrubs and hedges that attract attention for the shrubs.

That doubt the lawns have been clipped into realistic likenesses of various birds and animals to form a most unique display.

These examples of topiary work or that is what they call this craft, are said to be the finest on the continent.

Winding through the outlying districts of the city, passing quiet boulevards and cheerful homes, the Marine Drive is one of the most popular scenic highways on Vancouver Island.

Near Beacon Hill Park, the road skirts the lofty cliffs affording vistas of spectacular beauty as it follows a graceful course high above the surf, washed beaches where all Victoria comes to swim.

There are many beaches near the city which are readily accessible to those who seek.

Health and recreation on the Golden sands.

Victoria is also a golfer’s paradise and the royal and ancient game is played all.

The year-round.

Situated on the heights of Saanich on the outskirts of Victoria is the Dominion Observatory, which houses a telescope ranking among the most powerful in the world.

This selection of Victoria as a location for an observatory is a tribute to the clear, dust-free atmosphere of this western city, which at night affords an unobstructed sweep along the pathway of the stars.

Within the observatory, the huge reflector mirror and its associated equipment weigh nearly 50 tons, but it is balanced to such a fine degree that no effort is required to swing its great bulk across the wide arc of the skies.

And when you and I are sleeping in our cozy beds without a thought of the major problems of space.

The lenses on the hill at Saanich are trained heavenward, where planets gleam like distant jewels against the purple background of the night.

Not in all of America are to be found more beautiful and more diversified gardens than those of the Buchart estate at Brentwood.

Laid out with methodical care reflecting the handiwork of nature and her gayest moods, the Bouchard Gardens reach a height of botanical perfection, which is the pride and Joy of Victoria.

Visitors come from far and near, skeptical of its fame.

Which has spread to distant places, but they leave rewarded for a pilgrimage that has not been in vain.

It is hard to realize that this spot now, as lovely as an Arabian night dream, was once the unsightly, yawning chasm of a discarded limestone.

For years it remained forlorn and deserted until man’s ingenuity came to a timely rescue.

Then, aided by the regenerative forces of nature, IT transformation was achieved.

A treasure house created for the colorful products of Mother Earth.

Victoria is the first and last port of call for vessels entering or leaving the Pacific Northwest. Canada’s gateway to California and the world that lies.

Beyond the sunset.

In her three excellent harbours will be found ships from all the seven seas.

At their docks, whalers and fishing boats from the North Atlantic rendezvous with great Landers from under the Southern Cross and nearby are ships destined for far-off places.

Loading the produce of Vancouver Island’s forests of spruce, fir, and pine.

And when autumn leaves are tinged with purple, grain too leaves Victoria for the peoples of the east. If flowing golden Stream from Canada’s fertile island on the Sunbathed Pacific Coast.

The visitor leaves Victoria as he came by the sea and behind him the city of Sunshine and Flowers, the Garden City of the Pacific.