The decision to preserve an historic building is based on many factors, including age, rarity, architectural style, intact architectural detail, association with important people, events, siting, associated landscaping, as well as defined and appropriate new use.

Ross Bay Villa is an example of a building which answers these important criteria.  The house is a rare example of an 1860s home on the west coast of Canada.  A colonial house, predating British Columbia’s joining Canada; Ross Bay Villa is one of only about a dozen 1860s homes that are known to exist in the Capital Region.

Importantly, the house is essentially intact, much as it was 130 years ago, retaining original layout, architectural features and interior detailing, including mouldings, doors and a black and gold marble mantelpiece.  The modest Gothic Revival architecture is also rare and a good example of a style popular in the 1860s.  Unusual chamfered detailing on the exterior window trim, a gothic trefoil carved in the porch gable, a rare double split flue chimney, and distinctive roof finials and drop finials are all important exterior features.

Several significant people and families have lived in Ross Bay Villa.  Frank and Anna Roscoe were the first to move into the home in 1864.  Roscoe was a Member of Parliament for Victoria from 1874-78.  His seat was subsequently held by Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister.

Ross Bay Villa was rented by George Winter in 1884 for a hack and livery business.  He had strong connections with Government House, as coachman for Lieutenants-Governor.

In 1912, the Mortimer family rented Ross Bay Villa.  John Mortimer was a stonemason who earlier, in 1877, had founded Mortimer’s Monumental Works, a firm responsible for many monuments in Ross Bay Cemetery.

This material was taken from the publication, “Ross Bay Villa: A Colonial Cottage 1865-1999″ written by Jennifer Barr, Mary E. Doody Jones and Helen Edwards.  Published by the Hallmark Society.  This booklet can be found in our gift shops at Abkhazi Garden and Craigflower Manor.