Street names in Victoria can make us smile. Who wouldn’t want to be Young again, now that the New Year is here?

 

Young Street runs between Toronto and Michigan streets on the east side of James Bay. During the 12 years that he lived here, William Alexander George Young made quite an impression on the citizens of this town.

 

Young was born in England in 1827, the son of a captain in the Royal Navy. Following in his father’s footsteps, he enlisted at the tender age of 14, and worked his way up through the ranks. He was decorated for his services during the Crimean War, then moved to the Foreign Office and became secretary to the newly organized North American Boundary Commission.

 

He arrived in Victoria in June 1857 and made a favourable impression on his new boss, James Douglas, Chief Factor at the Hudson’s Bay Company headquarters. Douglas, who recognized a bright young fellow when he saw one, wasted no time in persuading him to stay. There wasn’t much social life at Fort Victoria, but naval officers were always welcome, and before long the new arrival was courting the Governor’s pretty young niece.

 

Eliza Cowan was the daughter of Douglas’s sister Cecelia. Eliza lived with her parents at “Belmont,” a large estate on Esquimalt Harbour. In 1858, three events conspired to create huge changes in the family’s fortunes: Goldseekers poured into Victoria en route to the Fraser River; Eliza’s mother died; and Eliza became the wife of the efficient young administrator who had become her Uncle James’s “right-hand man.” The Youngs set up residence on Superior Street, not far from the Douglas family home.

 

Shortly afterwards, Douglas appointed Young colonial secretary for British Columbia. Douglas’s duties took him away more often, and he was only too pleased to leave his son-in-law in charge.

 

Administrative responsibilities in two colonies gave Young considerable authority – and a salary from both. He invested his money wisely, purchased real estate in Esquimalt and up-Island, and campaigned successfully for membership in the Legislative Assembly.

 

When Douglas retired, in 1864, Young took a one-year leave of absence for a trip to England. On his return, in 1865, he found British Columbia in deep financial trouble. Then he fell afoul of mainland governor Frederick Seymour, who confided to the British government that the Victoria-based Young did not inspire his confidence in connection with mainland interests. Young was replaced.

 

In May 1869, the Youngs auctioned off most of their possessions and sailed for England. There, Young was knighted by Queen Victoria, then appointed Governor of British Guiana. He died in Accra, in 1885, without ever returning to these shores. But luckily for us, his story stays with us, thanks to that short street in James Bay.