Community Profile

History

Esquimalt (pronounced Ess-KWY-malt) is an anglicized version of the First Nations word "es-whoy-malth," which means the place of gradually shoaling water.

First Nations people of the Coast Salish linguistic group inhabited the area now known as Esquimalt for approximately 4000 years before the arrival of European settlers. The Township of Esquimalt began as an agricultural settlement and is now a vibrant and impressive community.

The naval base, which was established in 1865, is now the largest employer in the Esquimalt, and the original town site has disappeared inside the boundaries of the Canadian Forces Base.

Download an article about Esquimalt’s history from First Nations presence to the present.

History Resources

Visit the Esquimalt Municipal Archives to learn more about Esquimalt’s history.

The Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, part of the Coast Salish language group, have occupied the territory, where the Township of Esquimalt and City of Victoria are now located.

• Read about current history of the First Nations in this region
• View a map of the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people.
• Read about the legacy of the Songhees, including traditional place names for Esquimalt and surround areas.
• Read about First Nations in the City on the Royal BC Museum website.

Visit the CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum to learn more about:

• Canada’s Navy on the West Coast
• The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC)
• The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS)
• The West Coast Defences

Read about the history of Naden at CFB Esquimalt.

The Graving Dock in Esquimalt is the largest non-military ship building and repair facility on the West Coast of the Americas. Read about Graving Dock history.