Driving Through History In Nanaimo

Like many cities, Nanaimo has a rich and layered history, with stories buried beneath the streets and traces of the past woven throughout the city we know today. From historic buildings and heritage sites to city parks, memorials, and even ancient carvings, reminders of those who came before us can be found around every corner. Shaped by generations of Indigenous peoples, early settlers, industry, and community, the region's history runs deep, creating a unique history.

In this series, we take a look at Nanaimo’s past following the City of Nanaimo’s curated history tours. These tours are designed to give visitors and locals alike a chance to reflect and understand the story of our city.

Take a drive throughout Nanaimo as we visit the historic and important cemeteries, burial areas, and memorials of our city. Here you will find unique cultural landscapes that provide a reminder to the people who lived here before us. From Nanaimo’s first cemetery to war memorials to remains from over 3500 years ago, there is a little bit of everything to see on this tour.

A reminder that these cemeteries, burial areas, and memorials are places for people to grieve their ancestors, friends, and family. Please be respectful when visiting these locations, stick to the paths, speak with respect, and avoid touching gravestones.

Pioneer Cemetery Park

Located at 10 Wallace Street, this cemetery records the lives of Nanaimo’s first European settlers. This is the third oldest cemetery in British Columbia; its last burial was in 1895.

St. Peter's Cemetery

A link to Nanaimo’s Roman Catholic heritage, this graveyard is the only surviving single-denomination cemetery in Nanaimo and is located at 301 Machleary Street.

Nanaimo Public Cemetery

Located at 555 Bowen Road, there are over 600 inscriptions on graves that highlight mine-related deaths between 1860 and 1950.

Chinese Cemetery

This ethnic cultural landscape located at 1598 Townsite Road features traditional Chinese elements such as painted entry gates, an altar, and a shrine. Here is one of the few remaining tangible pieces of evidence of Nanaimo’s Chinese heritage.

Wellington Cemetery

This cemetery, located at 4700 Ledgerwood Road, is one of the few remaining pieces of the community of Wellington, which at the time rivalled Nanaimo in size. However, the community was eventually absorbed by Nanaimo in 1900.

Snuneymuwx Ancient Burial Area

This site, now located at the Departure Bay, Bay Street intersection, dates back over 3500 years with remains associated with the Snuneymuwx First Nation.

Garden Memorial to Chinese Pioneers

This small plot, located at 105 St. George Street, was used as a Chinese Burial ground where bodies were interred, intended that their bones would be returned to China.

Dallas Square Cenotaph

Built to commemorate local men who died during World War One, this memorial site is still used for annual Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Want to Learn More?

Driving through time in Nanaimo teaches us to appreciate the people who came before us. We can learn their stories and culture and are able to better connect to the people of the past.

Want more information on these historic places? Check out the Nanaimo Heritage Walks Through Time list. You can also find more walks to take through historic Nanaimo!