What was Medanas Grove?
In 1843, the Hudson’s Bay Company established a 10 acre farm in the area that that is now known as James Bay. Three years later, the farm had grown to encompass 160 acres. The farm was named Beckley by William W. Sims, who leased the land from the HBC in 1850. Twelve years later, 110 acres of the farm was divided into lots and sold off. One of the buyers was an Italian by the name of Paolo (Paul) Medana. He purchased several lots and built a large home. The surrounding property was heavily wooded and became a popular place for picnics and walks. The locals called it “Medana’s Grove” Paul Medana died in 1868 leaving the land to his wife and children. Four years later, the search had begun for new cemetery sites as Quadra Street was full and in a state of disrepair. The Trustees of the Cemetery Board selected 11.5 acres of Medana’s Grove to be the new cemetery. The local residents protested the decision and sent a petition to council. The citizens won and Ross Bay was chosen as the new c
