Sitchanalth- Willows Beach

Before becoming known as a wealthy suburb of Victoria and retirement capital of the province, the name Oak Bay was more widely recognized as being just that, a bay. Boat travel in and out of this uniquely sheltered and welcoming body of water has been carried on for many centuries. These are a few more recent images of life on the Bay.

The name Stichanalth refers to the drift wood which becomes buried in the sand- especially at the far end of the beach near where this photo was taken- as well as to the large Songhees village site in the same location.

Most of Oak Bay's shoreline bordered large open Garry Oak meadow lands but the area near the centre of the Bay, just north of today's Glenlyon Norfolk school, was thickly forested.

The small islands and islets which punctuate the bay and the powerful tides which pass by make it an endlessly interesting, if dangerously hazardous, place to travel and explore.

For the last 150 years the area's charms have attracted pleasure seeking Victorians and other visitors from far and wide. Many stayed in the Mt. Baker Hotel, which stood near the marina/boathouse.

The boathouse.

Others stayed at the “Old Charming”, near where Windsor Road meets Beach Drive today.

But such establishments would not have existed if there were not people like Jimmy Chickens, a Songhees man who lived on a tiny island in the middle of the Bay and earned part of his living selling fish to the local hotels. Originally called Kohweechella ("where there are many fish"), today the island is known locally by his name, and more widely as Mary Tod.

A somewhat disturbing yet strangely awesome portrait of some beach-goers in front of the Old Charming Hotel.