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1850's
Victoria, population 500, is seized by Gold Rush Fever, and is overrun by about 25,000 prospectors on their way to the Yukon gold fields. Young men live under canvas on Douglas Street, and find entertainment in the bars and brothels that sprout up on every street corner.
1859
YMCA - A Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is formed to provide alternative, wholesome entertainment and activity for the young men who arrive daily in the city on their way to the gold fields. Col. RC Moody, R.E. is elected as first president. The first men's residence are two tents set up as temporary quarters for young men awaiting transportation to the gold fields. Membership costs 6 shillings, or $1.50, per quarter
The YMCA dies out not long after it begins, probably in 1860, actual date unknown.
1870's
Victoria is now capital of the new Canadian province of British Columbia, but suffers through a severe economic Depression. Unemployment is high. Most men are unusually heavy drinkers, a situation blamed on the shortage of women in the city, and the consequent absence of home life.
1875 YMCA - A Young Men's Christian Association is organized in Victoria by representatives of the city's churches on 31 August, with each man contributing $25 to its formation. Thomas Trounce is elected as first president of the board of directors and the Ladies' Auxiliary is led by Mrs. BW Pearse. Apparently there is no knowledge of the previous YMCA.
The first regular weekly meeting takes place on September 6 at Fardon's Building, Langley and Yates, and features readings and recitations. In November, YMCA quarters move to the Omineca Building, Yates Street. The first lecture at the Y is delivered by Rev. Nicholson.
1879 YMCA closes its doors due to lack of support.
1880's
Victoria is beginning to recover from the Depression, but there are still few sources of respectable entertainment in the city. To no one's surprise, Police Chief Bloomfield reports the existence of dozens of brothels.
1884 YMCA - The Daily Colonist urges a YMCA be formed for the hundreds of young men who have arrived in town. With nowhere to spend their spare time, they "are forced to pass it in places where probably they never before had entered, and which may ultimately prove their destruction". (Colonist, 13 September 1884)
The Victoria YMCA is organized in November. JB Ferguson is elected president of the board, and Mrs. BW Pearse is made president of the YMCA Ladies Auxiliary. James J. Daley is hired as general secretary.
1885 YMCA - New rooms are rented at the corner of Government and Bastion.
1887 YMCA - The YMCA Boys' Branch holds its quarterly election of officers in March.
1887 YMCA - The Y moves yet again to the upper floor of Spencer's Arcade, Broad Street, but months later, its rooms are destroyed by fire. The Association struggles with rebuilding and debt.
Re-opening in the fall, the renovated rooms include new gym apparatus, facilities for evening classes, a library and a parlour available to its members, all for just $5 a year.
1889 YMCA - In December, the Y moves to upper rooms of the new Green-Worlock Building at the NW corner of Trounce Alley and Broad Street, its home for the next several years.
1890's
Victoria enjoys a short-lived economic boom, but by 1893, financial panic causes bankruptcies and mergers. Women are not allowed in bars, but are drinking as much as men. However, the discovery of gold in the Klondike and the construction of the Parliament Buildings bring renewed optimism to the city. The decade also witnesses the formation of the Victoria YWCA.
1892 YWCA - After their Bible class is addressed by a member of the British YWCA, 16 young women of the Reformed Episcopal Church decide to form their own Association. Edith Carr is first president.
1893 YWCA - To support their projects, the young women prepare lunches for children attending Central School and sell them for 10 cents each at a "cafeteria" in the school's attic.
YMCA - The YM is $3000 in debt and seeks public support, chastising those who suppose it is "...a goody-goody sort of institution that is only worthy of the support of milksops and old women. Never did they make a greater mistake". But by Christmas, the YMCA is forced to close due to lack of funds.
1894 YMCA - The YM is reopened by supporters and enjoys renewed success.
YWCA - The women rent their first quarters on busy Government Street. They provide a lunchroom for young business girls.
1897 YWCA - The YW relocates to rooms on Johnson Street over Shotbolt's Drug Store. The new suite features a dining room, lounge and reading room for girls.
1898 YWCA - The spacious old Protestant Orphans' home on 32 Rae Street (now Courtney) becomes the new YW headquarters. A total of 64 lodgers are accommodated in 1st year. Educational classes, entertainment, Bible study & lunches are also provided.
YMCA - Indebtedness once more forces closure of the YM's rooms. The Association's piano, a gift of former premier, the Hon. John Robson, is sold to pay the outstanding rent.
1899 YWCA - A Women's Exchange is created, enabling destitute women to earn money by selling their own handiwork.
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