Built
in the late 1890s, Fort Rodd Hill's gun batteries protected the port of Victoria
and the naval base at Esquimalt.
Through two World Wars, its underground magazines, command posts,
guardhouses, barracks and searchlights were stalwart sentinels in the defence
strategy of Canada and the British Empire.
During World War II, its soldiers kept careful watch for any maritime traffic
entering Juan de Fuca Strait that might threaten the commercial ports of
Victoria and Vancouver, or the naval base and shipbuilding facilities in
Esquimalt harbour.
Fisgard Lighthouse, built in 1860, was the first permanent lighthouse on
Canada's west coast. Its light still shines proudly, ushering marine traffic
safely into harbour. |