Harris' Pond (Harris' Bottom)

The low-lying land at Stanley Av and Vining St forms a natural catchment basin for the surrounding ridges. In the past water collected there, forming a pond that was referred to as either Harris’ Pond or Harris’ Bottom. It was likely named after Thomas Harris who owned the first butcher shop on Vancouver Island and later became Victoria’s first mayor. At its deepest, the pond held about four feet of water. It was drained by a small stream flowing north one block east of Fernwood Rd to Bay St where it supplied water to the Chinese market gardens. From there the stream angled west, meandering north of Bay St and then emptying into Rock Bay.

As Fort Victoria grew, a reliable supply of fresh water became essential. Two sources were located about a mile out – the springs at Spring Ridge and Harris’ Pond. At the time it was thought that Harris’ Pond was fed by the abundant springs in the area. In 1863 entrepreneurs John Coe and Thomas Martin formed the “Spring Ridge Water Company”. They laid pipes made from 12-foot long hollowed-out logs, attaching them end to end and burying them with their bark left on. Pipes were laid from Harris' Pond and Spring Ridge along Fort to the San Francisco Bathhouse on Government St. From there, water was delivered to customers by wagon at a rate of twenty buckets for one dollar. The pipeline also filled 4 large cisterns for fire protection – provided at no charge.

By 1869 it became evident that Harris’ Pond was not fed by springs and there were frequent complaints in the British Colonist newspaper regarding the quality and quantity of the water. The water supply from Harris’ Pond was described as “a meagre supply of unwholesome liquid” and “a limited quantity of liquid vegetation as thick as pea soup that used to be pumped up from the scummy recesses of Harris’ Pond, the use of which sometimes cause diphtheria and kindred complaints, and rendered cleanliness the exception rather that the rule.” In 1872 the City authorized the construction of water works to bring water from Elk Lake. The pipes from Harris Pond were last used in 1875.

Winters must have been colder in Victoria in the 1800s since the livery stables all had sleighs and the locals enjoyed ice skating on Harris’ Pond. When temperatures allowed, trips to the pond were advertised in the newspaper. Snow was cleared from the ice and the pond was flooded. On January 18, 1868, the British Colonist reported a gay and lively scene at Harris’ Pond, with 150 persons including about 30 ladies skating. A couple of entrepreneurs erected a board shanty for the refreshment of the “inner man and woman” that was liberally patronized. The pond and stream were filled-in and little evidence remains today of their importance, other than the relative ages and styles of the houses that replaced Harris’ Pond.


• Statement of Significance (Historic Places Canadian Register)

• Fernwood History

• Fernwood Heritage Register


• This Old House, Victoria's Heritage Neighbourhoods,
Volume One: Fernwood & Victoria West