On the south end of the Inner Harbour, next to the many sailboats and pleasure craft, you’ll find Fisherman’s Wharf - a vibrant mishmash of colourful float homes, cafes, fish markets, and eco-artisan shops. Add in 650,000 tourist visits per year, and you’ll see what makes Fisherman’s Wharf one of Victoria’s most eclectic and engaging neighbourhoods.
But despite its fun appearance, Fisherman’s Wharf hasn’t always been so welcoming; in fact, this active little corner of the city has a long and layered past marked by industry, improvisation, and even a little frontier lawlessness.
Opening in the late 1940s, Fisherman’s Wharf was first created for fishermen to dock their vessels after long days working at sea. Made up of six wharfs, the original design assigned four for fishing vessels, and two for “live-aboard shelters”- often nothing more than floating clapboard structures for those unable to afford homes in the city. As such, this loose definition of a “float home” brought many unwanted vessels and transients to the wharf.
With few (if any) rules or regulations in place, and no official presence to keep order, the docks quickly became a lawless free-for-all zone as fishing boats came and went at all hours, and gambling and drinking were abundant 24/7. Drunken fighting over petty grievances was commonplace, as was squabbling over moorage spots or disputed fish hauls. Simply put, the wharf was a dangerous place to live and visit.
Being built on the edge of a sprawling tidal marsh (a block away from Erie Street) meant the wharf was difficult to access by land. Also, because of this, the police tended to leave problems at Fisherman's Wharf alone to, "sort themselves out". However, due to public pressure, that was all about to change. In the early 1960s, the city decided to fill in the marsh, ostensibly to build an all-purpose field, but really to grant easier land access to problematic Fisherman’s Wharf. And while the wharf began to show improvement, more action was needed.
In the early 1970s, the city updated the field, creating a multi-use, family-friendly park that would both soften the rough image of the area and make it more welcoming. It’s hard to imagine it now, but where families picnic today was once a boggy expanse teeming with frogs, fish, and waterfowl.
Next, the troublemakers were kicked out, and the wharf underwent a complete overhaul with berths being outfitted with sewer, water and power - all for a monthly rental charge. Enforcement of the rules and regulations attracted better tenants, and soon a small community of 30 float homes began taking root.
People built many of the early float homes by hand, while others repurposed old barges to create eclectic, yet livable dwellings. Finally, after years of noisy chaos, Fisherman’s Wharf had found some well-deserved harmony.
With Barb’s Place opening in 1984, the commercial phase of Fisherman’s Wharf began; and while long time resident Barb Johnson is long gone, 40 years later the floating restaurant (renamed Barb's Fish and Chips) has become world famous for its fresh local halibut and chips and unbeatable harbour views. Today, a pizza shop, two art galleries, a whale watching kiosk, and a fresh fish market are just some of the unique businesses lining the tranquil docks of Fisherman’s Wharf.
Why not experience Fisherman’s Wharf first hand on a HIDDEN VICTORIA Pickle Pub Crawl tour? It’s one of four stops on a tour that includes two rides through Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour, guided by our friendly and professional guides.
For more info, CLICK HERE – your sea legs will thank you!