If you’ve ever wondered what Greater Victoria looked like before Instagram filters, high-rises, and Teslas—get ready to time-travel.
A rare collection of colour photos (yes, colour!) taken in September 1938 has surfaced, and it’s the kind of historical eye-candy we didn’t know we needed.
The images, shared with Victoria Buzz by Blake Mackenzie, were taken by American photographer Charles W. Cushman using one of the earliest Kodachrome 35mm colour cameras ever made. While most of the world was still snapping away in black and white, Cushman was wandering through Victoria, Oak Bay, Sidney, and the Saanich Peninsula capturing our coastal life in living colour—87 years ago.
The colours, the detail, the fashion, it all feels strangely modern yet unmistakably vintage. From candid street shots to now-iconic landmarks, this photo set feels like someone dropped a disposable camera in 1938 and just got the prints back from London Drugs.
Here are just a few of the gems from the collection:
Two girls, unknown but unforgettable
One of the most hauntingly beautiful shots is titled “Two Little Indians – Vancouver Island.” While the wording reflects outdated language of the era, the portrait speaks volumes. Two young Indigenous girls pose calmly, their gaze piercing through nearly a century. Their names and Nation are, heartbreakingly, unknown—but their presence is powerful. If you recognize them or have any info, historians (and all of us) would love to know more.
Three kids on a rail gate
Another photo features three Indigenous children sitting on a rail gate, again unnamed, but full of quiet strength and character. Both these photos are reminders of the need to preserve—not just the images—but the stories and identities of those captured in them.
James Bay in full kid chaos
One iconic moment? A fire alarm goes off, and suddenly all the neighbourhood kids pour into the streets near Niagara and Oswego in James Bay. It’s pure 1930s childhood chaos—and local resident Cathy Waters even spotted her great-grandfather Thomas Davies and great-aunt Betty in the photo. Talk about the ultimate throwback.
James Bay kids and the day the fire alarm rang
There’s not one but two photos showing a swarm of neighbourhood kids flooding Niagara Street near Oswego in James Bay after a fire alarm went off. It’s pure 1930s kid energy. Cathy Waters once again a couple spotted two people she knew. She spotted two boys on the far left—Tommy and Johnnie Davies. “Tommy’s in the green vest, and Johnnie’s standing behind,” she said.
Honestly, this is the kind of hyper-local time travel we live for.
A mystery girl in Sidney
One photo, labelled “Ina Sidney, BC has people buzzing: is “Ina” a name or a typo for “in Sidney”? Even wilder, some folks think the girl in the photo looks suspiciously like Shirley Temple, who was apparently visiting the Island at the time. We’re not saying it is her—but we’re not not saying it either.
The Great White Bear of Beacon Hill
If you’ve ever heard whispers of a white bear once living at Beacon Hill Park, the photo proof is here. Cushman snapped a shot of the famous bear, who called the park home from 1924 until his death in 1948. He was a local celebrity long before Instagram fame was a thing.
The Oak Bay aesthetic hasn’t changed
Two photos show a charming Oak Bay home said to belong to the Ross family. Complete with a vintage coupe parked out front, it’s peak ‘retired Britisher’ vibes and honestly wouldn’t feel out of place on today’s version of #heritagehomegoals.
Old-school mailboxes and Butchart Gardens bliss
Cushman had a thing for pillar boxes (aka old-timey red mailboxes), snapping them outside City Hall and in Oak Bay near the once-famous “Charming Inn.” He also wandered Butchart Gardens, catching views of Mr. Butchart and the home of his daughter and son-in-law, who took over the Gardens that same year.
That view of the Empress tho
Yes, even in 1938, the view of Victoria’s Inner Harbour and the Empress Hotel was a show-stopper. Cushman’s shot is proof that our harbour hasn’t lost a bit of its charm.
Pillar box appreciation post
These 14 photos don’t just offer a glimpse into our past, they somehow make 1938 feel surprisingly close. You can almost hear the streetcar clatter, feel the salt air, and imagine a simpler time before smartphones, parking meters, or bubble tea shops.
All photos are courtesy of the Indiana University Special Collections.
