Our Fairfields — Mapping Project

The Victoria map project got its beginning in 1990 while Gordon Friesen was doing research for some illustrations pertaining to the human and natural history of Beacon Hill Park. During this research he discovered that the public libraries and archives contained maps that showed original streams and coastlines, including the bottomlands of old south Fairfield and the mudflats of James Bay. He also came across a 1913 survey map that showed the area's topography.

One day, while standing atop Moss Rock, he turned around 360 degrees and envisioned a relief map model that would show the landscape in its natural state. He then drew up proposals to build the model as either a permanent installation or mobile interpretive unit. While the proposals were met with enthusiastic support from the FCA and Sir James Douglas School, momentum subsided and the project was put on hold.

In 2000, the "Our Fairfields Mapping and Improvement Project" brought together members of the community and Gordon was able to contrubute data to the cause.  (Fairfield Observer, Jan. 2002, "Where the Water Goes").  In 2006 he was invited to be a presenter at Victoria's Arts in the City celebration and was able to offer the public a 4X8 ft. painted map.  (Focus magazine, March 2006, vol.18, no.6). While not a relief map model, the two dimensional painting reads like an atlas map with a colour scale indicating specific elevations.

That same year Gordon was invited to do a map/mural project with students at Central Middle School as part of the school's enrichment program. With generous support from the school district and the CRD, the students created their own map mural now permanently installed in the school cafeteria.

Currently, Gordon Friesen is hoping to introduce this map re-creation process to other cities and municipalities and give students an opportunity to explore their communities natural history while learning practical graphic art skills. For enquiries, contact: maproject@shaw.ca

Map by Gordon Friesen. An ariel view of pre-contact Victoira showing original streams and waterways.