$10 · Building Victoria: Men, Myths, and Mortar

Building Victoria: Men, Myths, and Mortar by Danda Humphreys Paperback, 2004, 112 pages The history of Victoria is preserved in the very beams and joinery of its buildings. These structures serve as mute reminders of a bygone era, providing a peek into our past and a glimpse at the lives of the people who built them. With insatiable curiosity and a zest for story, Danda Humphreys, author of the acclaimed trilogy 'On the Street Where You Live' went in search of buildings that tell a story -- from the inside out. Starting with major structures surrounding Victorias famous Inner Harbour and expanding throughout the downtown area, Danda looks behind the wood, stone, bricks, and mortar, digging deeply beneath the foundations to excavate Victorias history. A must-read for intrepid urban explorers, this book brings to life the colourful histories of such buildings as: A hotel-turned-nursing home where Emily Carr spent her last days; A Greek temple look-alike that served as the Canadian Pacific Steamship terminal; The first gentlemans club in Victoria and its equally well-appointed counterpart for the ladies; The lofty legislature designed by a 26-year-old man who was doomed by a mid-life affair; The high-class hotel built on land once covered by the muddy waters of James Bay. See pictures Pickup in Langford Cross posted