Downtown Victoria Tour

Government Street – 1200 Block

This commercial building at 1223 – 1227 – 1233 Government Street is currently home to Roots (1227 Government Street) and Sasquatch Trading (1233 Government Street).

This commercial building at 1223-1227 and 1233 Government Street was likely built in the late 19th century. It is currently home to Roots (1227 Government) and Sasquatch Trading (1233 Government)

This commercial building at 1223-1227 and 1233 Government Street was likely built in the late 19th century. It is currently home to Roots (1227 Government) and Sasquatch Trading (1233 Government)

Here is a map showing the location of 1223-1233 Government Street:

Here is a Google Street View image of 1223 – 1233 Government Street:

Additional Information About 1223-1233 Government Street

  • Assessed Value (July 2019): $5,228,000; Land $2,307,000; Buildings $2,921,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2018): $5,265,000; Land $2,051,000; Buildings $3,214,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2017): $4,714,000; Land $2,053,000; Buildings $2,661,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2016): $4,209,000; Land $1,952,000; Buildings $2,257,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2015): $4,046,000; Land $1,682,000; Buildings $2,364,000
  • Assessed Value (July 2014): $4,047,000; Land $1,590,000; Buildings $2,457,000

A Brief History of 1223-1227-1233 Government Street

The construction date of this single storey commercial building is somewhat uncertain. Some records say it was built in 1901 but other sources suggest it dates from the late 19th century, possibly as early as the 1880’s. We believe the latter is more accurate.

If that is the case, then during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this building contained the Maryland Cafe, where Alexander Pantages worked as a waiter before embarking on his career in theater ownership with his Pantages Theatre chain, which included two building in downtown Victoria: 566 Johnson Street 1910-1914) and the present McPherson Playhouse.

Here are links to some historic photos of this building:

Here are links to some Historic Victoria Advertisements from businesses which have operated in this building over the decades. We will add more over time.

1908 newspaper advertisement for Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street, showing the interior of the store and illustrations of the record and phonograph technology of the period. (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1908 newspaper advertisement for Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street, showing the interior of the store and illustrations of the record and phonograph technology of the period. (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1908 newspaper advertisement for Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street

This advertisement is particularly interesting as it shows the interior of the store and illustrations of the record and phonograph technology of the period.

Read More…

April 1909 advertisement by Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street, mentioning a performance at the Grand Theatre on Johnson Street. (Victoria Online Sightseeing collection)

April 1909 advertisement by Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street, mentioning a performance at the Grand Theatre on Johnson Street. (Victoria Online Sightseeing collection)

1909 Advertisement For Fletcher Brothers

This 1909 advertisement for Fletcher Brothers mentions “Talking Records” by Cal Stewart, who was then performing live at the Grand Theatre, now 566 Johnson Street.

568 Johnson Street, originally built in 1904 as the Grand Theatre. It became part of the Pantages Theatre vaudeville circuit.

568 Johnson Street, originally built in 1904 as the Grand Theatre. It became part of the Pantages Theatre vaudeville circuit.

1910 advertisement for Victor Records, sold at 1004 Government Street and 1102 Government Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1910 advertisement for Victor Records, sold at 1004 Government Street and 1102 Government Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1910 Advertisement For Victor Records

Sold by Montelius Piano House, 1104 Government Street and Fletcher Brothers, which operated a music store at 1231 Government Street, which we believe is now 1233 Government Street.

Advertised recording artists included:

1913 advertisement for Edison Blue Amberol Records, sold by Montelius Piano House, 1102 Government Street, and Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1913 advertisement for Edison Blue Amberol Records, sold by Montelius Piano House, 1102 Government Street, and Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street (Victoria Online Sightseeing Tours collection)

1913 Advertisements For Edison Blue Amberol Records

Sold by Montelius Piano House, 1104 Government Street and Fletcher Brothers, which operated a music store at 1231 Government Street, which we believe is now 1233 Government Street.

June 1913 advertisement for Columbia Records by Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street.

June 1913 advertisement for Columbia Records by Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street.

1913 Advertisement For Columbia Records At Fletcher Brothers, 1231 Government Street

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