The fountain at the back of the Legislative Precinct was unveiled on August 2, 1962 to coincide with the Centennial of the City of Victoria.
The fountain was designed by Robert Savery, a landscape architect for the Department of Public Works. The plaques around the Centennial Fountain were updated in September 2024 to remove dated language and include important context about the British colonies that joined together to form the Province of British Columbia and also the important relationships the animals on the fountain share with many First Nations in the province.
The bronze animals that are featured on the fountain are representative of the diverse wildlife of British Columbia. Each night, a series of alternating lights illuminate the fountain, making for a colourful display.
- The gulls and otters on the rock at the centre of the fountain are commonly found in the waters and in the air along the coast of British Columbia.
- The raven is a large and intelligent songbird that lives in most areas of British Columbia. The raven plays an important role in the art, traditions, and origin narratives of many Indigenous people.
- Black bears and grizzly bears are large omnivorous mammals that are common to many areas in British Columbia. Their size, strength and important role in coastal ecosystems is reflected in the traditional ceremonies and artwork of many Indigenous peoples.
- British Columbia is home to both the golden eagle and the bald eagle, which is Canada’s largest bird of prey. The eagle is an important animal in man Indigenous cultures and is admired for its power, grace, and intelligence.
- Wolves are keystone species that play a vital role in the well-being of their environment. Many Indigenous peoples recognize wolves for their strong family ties, intelligence and hunting ability.
