Site2 Social History of Building - The Bastion/Nanaimo British Columbia

The Bastion - SOCIAL HISTORY OF BUILDING

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After the completion of the Bastion in 1852, a small community of six or seven rough-hewn buildings, mostly houses and supply buildings, centered around the Bastion. The Bastion, originally owned and operated by the Hudson Bay Company, was constructed to protect people from the Natives. The place of refuge was on the third floor of the Bastion, where HBC employees and their families could be safe. In addition to providing protection, canons and gun fires were set during the celebrations of the Queen's birthday. Although the Bastion was equipped with firearms, they were never needed in an event of an attack.

As early as 1855, the Bastion was no longer needed. The small, shabby town had developed an industry, with connections to a world market. The HBC had sold all its coal mining operations to the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company. Once HBC left Nanaimo, the Bastion was abandoned.

The preservation of the Bastion began in 1906. The Native sons of B.C. began work on it, which eventually led to their ownership and continuous development of the site. Over the years, the members of this organization have recognized the historical value of the Bastion and have worked hard to maintain and preserve this historic site.

Last updated 31 August 1998.
This digital collection was produced under contract to the Canada's Digital Collections Program, Industry Canada.
Produced by Canada's Digital Collections Team.
Content provided by BC Heritage Trust and Heritage Branch, Province of British Columbia.
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