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Building on History
Thursday, June 18th, 2009 by GetawayBC.com
Start your exploration of the Sooke region’s heritage with a stop at Sooke Region Museum (2070 Phillips Rd., off Sooke Road after the bridge). This unique cultural and visitor information centre, through exhibits, photos, and outdoor reconstructions, traces the region’s history from its wildlife to First Nations and pioneer settlement. As you wander the grounds you may visit the blacksmith shop, polemaker’s shack, and the transported lens of the original Triangle Island lighthouse. Sooke’s oldest standing pioneer home, Moss Cottage, has conveniently been reconstructed on the museum grounds. Built in 1870, it originally housed James and Mary Ellen Welsh and their six children. Mary Ellen called the cottage “Moss” after her mother’s family name. Present day visitors can see a dramatization of life in the early 1900s. While you are at the museum ask about other historic homes which still stand today.
Are you taking a ride up to Sooke for a day? Why not wet your tongue and taste buds at one of our local pubs and experience history at the same time? The Seventeen Mile House (5196 Sooke Road), erected in 1900 by its original proprietor, Edward Cutler was the original room and board stop for the traveler staying in Sooke. It was heralded as the British Ensign and later the Royal Ensign before being changed in 1920 to its present title. In the days of travel by horse the inn served as a stagecoach stop. Prior to the establishment of North Sooke School, it was a place for classes and religious services. Though now only operating as a pub, and after a due share of facelifts, the Seventeen Mile House remains one of the most notable landmarks on Sooke Road.
Among the many historic homes in the region, Woodside (7117 West Coast Road, 1 Km west of the Sooke village core) is a classic representation of the Georgian-style farmhouse typical of the mid 1800s settlers. Home of the established Muir family, it has 3,360 sq. ft. of living space on two stories. The highway today known as Sooke Road was originally a trail called Sooke Way and, up until the 1930s, wound to an end at the Woodside Farm. Another Georgian-style of the similar construction, Burnside Farm (1890 Maple Ave., corner of West Coast Road) was home to Michael Muir, his wife Matilda Welsh, and their six daughters. The two storey home has five brick fireplaces and is finished with drop siding. Known today as Burnside House B&B. ;