Cariboo Gold Rush

In 1858, when the Cariboo Gold Rush started, Fort Victoria (as the city was then called) was the only port of entry into the Colony of British Columbia.  It became the hub for miners making their way to the Fraser River in search of their fortunes.

Fort Victoria’s population exploded: going from about 5,000 people to 50,000 people in a short five years (by 1863).  It was a booming port.