Ross Bay Cemetery — Attraction in Victoria

Ross Bay Cemetery, located at 1495 Fairfield Rd in Victoria, BC, is a place of quiet reflection and deep historical significance. Parking is available along Fairfield Road, with enough space for visitors to park near the entrance. The cemetery is primarily accessible, though some areas are uneven, with gravel paths that may be difficult for wheelchairs or strollers. It’s open year-round from dawn to dusk, allowing for peaceful daily visits.

Its rich history, dating back to 1873, sets Ross Bay Cemetery apart, making it one of the oldest cemeteries in Western Canada. It’s the final resting place of many prominent figures, including Sir James Douglas, Emily Carr, and other notable pioneers of British Columbia. Walking through the cemetery feels like stepping back in time, with beautifully crafted headstones and mausoleums that tell stories of the past. This historical significance will surely intrigue and inspire respect in our visitors.

The scenery is tranquil and breathtaking, with towering trees, lush green grass, and a peaceful view of the ocean nearby. The surrounding wildlife adds to the beauty, with birds often seen flying between the trees and the occasional deer wandering through the grounds. The best time to visit is in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light creates a soft, peaceful ambiance, and the cemetery is less busy.

Comfortable footwear is recommended, as the paths can be uneven and slightly hilly in some spots. Dress in layers, as the ocean breeze can be cool, even on sunny days. The cemetery offers a serene environment for reflection, quiet walks, or exploring the rich history of Victoria. The views of the surrounding neighbourhood and the distant ocean provide a sense of calm and reverence. Ross Bay Cemetery is a place of remembrance and a peaceful retreat where history, nature, and beauty...

Ross Bay Cemetery, located in the Fairfield district at Ross Bay, has been in continuous use since 1872 and is maintained and managed by the City of Victoria. Ross Bay was named after Isabella Mainville Ross. In the 1850s, Isabella Ross, an Indigenous woman, was the first woman to be a registered landowner in British Columbia. She named her 99-acre property overlooking Ross Bay Fowl Bay Farm because of its abundant waterfowl. Unfortunately, the farm was not successful and Isabella gradually sold the property to individual buyers. The City of Victoria purchased the remote slope overlooking Ross Bay for use as a cemetery in 1872. Isabella Ross died in 1885 at the age of 77 and was buried in an unmarked grave at Ross Bay Cemetery. In 1994, the Old Cemeteries Society installed an interpretive plaque at her grave site. A number of prominent and well-known people are buried at Ross Bay Cemetery, including British Columbia's first governor, Sir James Douglas; artist Emily Carr; and the man famous for finding one of the earliest and largest strikes of the Cariboo Gold rush,...

Ross Bay Cemetery...currently home to a very enthusiastic family of crows and ravens..is an arboretum, filled with a wide variety of trees and shrubs from around the globe...is historically significant to the development of British Columbia and showcases Victorian era heritage funerary memorial monuments...laid to rest here include dignitaries, artists, authors, pioneers, labourers, the rich, the poor, the famous and not so famous of our province, to the earliest of Hudson's Bay Company chief factors. Locals like myself stroll through this park-like setting regularly on our way down to the Dallas Road scenic route, a favourite for those who take in the sea views and invigorating sea breezes...truly a place of meditation and...