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Knockan Hill and its name are subjects of historic mystery involving legend and language.
For centuries, songhees people harvested camas (below the Garry Oaks and firs on the hill).
1850’s |
Scottish settlers came to Craigflower farm. “Gnocan” is a Scots Gaelic word for “knoll” or “hill”.
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1858 |
Official map showed George McKenzie as purchase of 60 acres north of Portage Inlet on east slope of Knockan Hill.
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1873 |
“The Races of Mankind” by Robert Brown described Knockan Hill as meaning in the Tsongeith language “coiled up”.
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1885 |
Knockan Hill was identified on the J.D. Pemberton map of S.E. Vancouver Island.
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1895 |
It was featured as “Mount Nga´k’un” in a “Songish” legend in “Indian Legends of the North Pacific Coast of America” by Franz Boaz.
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1906 |
Four hectares of hilltop on Knockan Homestead became public lands in the new Municipality of Saanich.
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1973 |
Mrs. Maude Hall sold her three hectares of woodland, including her house and garden, to the people of Saanich.
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1989 |
Knockan Hill Park was preserved as parkland by Saanich Parks Preservation By-law 6256. It is now a Community Park.
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1993 |
One acre was added to the original park to fill in the south east corner.
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1993-2004 |
FKHPS worked with the Town of View Royal to acquire the property at 101 High St. for parkland.
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2005 |
8 acres of adjacent woodland on High St. was donated to View Royal and added to Knockan Hill Park.
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