Colwood is a city on Vancouver Island to the southwest of Victoria, capital of British Columbia, Canada. Colwood was incorporated in 1985 and has a population of approximately 19,000 people. Colwood lies within the boundaries of the Greater Victoria area or Capital Regional District, in a region called the Western Communities, or the West Shore. Set along more than of oceanfront, this fast-growing seaside community is one of the 13 component municipalities of Greater Victoria.
History
A small plaque erected in 1972 on a concrete cairn in the shore of the Esquimalt Lagoon outlines its history:
<blockquote>Royal Roads - To seaward lies an anchorage or roadstead first used in 1790 by the Spanish and named in 1846 for its location between Albert Head and Victoria. Unloading place for large vessels serving Victoria in days of sail, it was once a scene of disaster. On April 1, 1883, a southeasterly gale swept the haven, beaching the ships Southern Chief, Gettysburg, Connaught, and Tiger. Erected by the Thermopylae Club. </blockquote>
Colwood was originally one of four large farms established by the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1850s to supply the steadily increasing population of Fort Victoria.
In 1851, the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, a subsidiary of the Hudson's Bay Company, appointed Capt. Edward E. Langford 'bailiff' of the 600 acre Esquimalt Farm lying between Esquimalt Harbour and the present Langford Lake. The farmhouse was called 'Colwood' after his home in Sussex, England. The first stone dairy on the island was built on this farm as was a lime kiln, homestead and barn. Kanakas (Hawaiian Islanders) were employed as shepherds for the herd of Southdown sheep. Mrs. Langford gave birth to the first white male child born in the colony. Capt. Langford's sister opened a School for Young Ladies at 'Colwood' Farm.
In 1860, Fisgard Lighthouse was constructed at the mouth of Esquimalt Harbour. It was high, and visible for 10 nautical miles. In 1950, it was connected by a causeway to the shore at the base of Fort Rodd Hill.
1863: A sawmill was opened on Colwood Creek above the Indian burial site on Esquimalt Lagoon, on what is now Royal Roads University land. John Gilmore owned the sawmill.
1874: The original Colwood school was built on Sooke Road on land donated by Arthur Peatt, a local farmer. The building was later transferred across the road and became the home of the Ross family.
1892: William John Wale leased the old 600-acre Colwood Farm for the sum of $400 per year.
1895: Fort Rodd Hill installation was armed. The Fort guarded the entrance to the Royal Navy yards at Esquimalt. The original Colwood Hotel was burned down and a two-story framed, square-shaped building was rebuilt by the proprietor, Mr Campbell. He later enlarged the building and sold it to Mrs Miller, who became the owner of the Goldstream Inn.
1910: Colwood Women's Institute formed.
Geography
As it lies geographically to the south of Victoria, Colwood is Western Canada's southernmost city.
Neighbourhoods of Colwood:
- Colwood Corners
- Belmont Park
- Royal Roads
- Colwood Lake
- Hatley Park
- Colwood Creek
- Triangle Mountain
- Wishart
- Latoria
- Lagoon Beach
- Royal Beach
- Royal Bay
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Colwood had a population of 18,961 living in 7,428 of its 7,688 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 16,859. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021.