Beacon Hill Park was a disputed piece of land. When the Hudson’s Bay Company charter to the Island was recinded in 1859 the Company claimed 3 084 acres of land in the Victoria area, including Beacon Hill Park. In 1862 the Privy Council in London decided "That there shall be forthwith conveyed and surrendered by the said Company to Her Majesty, her heirs and successors and assigns, reserves for the public park." ²

Over the decade there ensued a number of disputes over whether the municipality or the legislative Council was responsible for Beacon Hill Park. The City of Victoria was incorporated in 1862. The boundaries of Victoria, however, excluded Beacon Hill Park until 1867. This can been seen in the Official Map of the Town of Victoria in 1861.

"Town of Victoria, Vancouver Island from the Official Map" Courtesy of BC Archives CM_B89

In 1869 there was a dispute between the Municipal Corporation and the Legislative Council regarding the ownership of the property. The British Colonist reported that a meeting was held for the "preservation of Beacon Hill Park as city property, and to protest against the invasion of Municipal rights by the Legislative Council."³ According to the same article the Mayor believed Beacon Hill Park had been city property since 1858. One member of the Legislative Council contested city administration of the park saying "Nothing could be clearer that the incompetency of the Municipal Council as might be seen from the condition of the streets." ¹⁷

Read the whole article here:

In 1869 Beacon Hill Park was withdrawn from City limits and fell under the jurisdiction of the Colony's Department of Lands and Works. With remarkable similarity Hazel Conway remarks that in England "local authorities were severly inhibited by the legislation governing the actions they could undertake, and the ‘struggle’ to acquire municipal parks required much ingenuity." ³

Beacon Hill Park was turned over to the City of Victoria in 1882 and it remains in trust today.

"Victoria, Christ Church Cathedral from Beacon Hill Park" Courtesy of BC Archives A-08305