James Douglas described Victoria as a perfect Eden when the Hudson's Bay Company first set up its trade depot in what was then Fort Victoria. A few years later, more than 30,000 miners arrived, hoping to find their own Eden in a rich gold strike that set the stage for the tiny settlement's growth into the vibrant city that Victoria has become. Using more than 140 archival photographs and an informative, easy-to-read text, this book tells the city's story in compelling visual fashion, making this a keepsake for visitors and residents alike.