Variant spellings of Camosun include Camoosan and Camõsack.
James Douglas, prior to his years as governor, was tasked by the HBC in 1842 to find appropriate
land on which to establish a trading fort. Reports of the quality of southern
Vancouver Island lands had been embellished to date. Nevertheless,
Douglas found the Songhees people's lands surrounding modern-day
Victoria Harbour agreeable to settlement. He found roughly 10 square km fit for till or pasture, a
secure harbour, timber for building, and a source for water-power nearby, though he
recommended wells be dug for a reliable source for fresh water.
At this time, the HBC felt pressure to shift its depots from the coasts, partly in
response to growing tensions with the United States. By 1843,
Fort Victoria was established adjacent to a Songhees village. The Songhees helped to build the
fort, located on present-day Bastion Square. In 1844, the Songhess moved their village
to the west shore of
Victoria harbour, and by 1853, the village became a reserve.