More topics

Find a Historic Place

Last updated on April 30, 2025

Access Historic Place Data

The Heritage Branch shares data about post-1846 historic sites that can be used to support a variety of purposes such as land use decisions and heritage conservation initiatives.

Registered sites are sites that are officially recognized or protected by provincial, local government, or federal heritage conservation legislation. Recorded sites are historic sites that have been reported

Launch App: BCRHP Database

  • An online public database with interactive map to view registered historic site records of the Provincial Heritage Register.

Historic Places Spatial Layer (Public View)

  • A geographic dataset of registered historic sites available for all users to export through the BC Data Catalogue

Historic Places Spatial Layer (Industry View)

  • A geographic dataset of all registered, recorded, and legacy historic sites available for IDIR accounts to export and upon request for other users. Contact BCHistoricPlacesRegister@gov.bc.ca for more information.

iMapBC

  • Historic Places – Recognized – Public is a digital map layer available for all users to view and export through the public interface.
  • Historic Places – All Sites – Restricted is a digital map layer available for IDIR accounts and named BCeID users to export through the internal interface. Contact BCHistoricPlacesRegister@gov.bc.ca for BCeID access.

Remote Access to Archaeological Data (RAAD)

  • A map layer of all registered, recorded, and legacy historic sites available in Archaeology Branch’s GIS application for Indigenous governments and authorized users.

Integrated Land and Resource Registry (ILRR)

  • An application to generate queries, maps, reports of B.C. Crown legal interests and land status. This includes registered historic sites for BCeID users as well as recorded and legacy historic sites for IDIR accounts.

 

Other historic sites, museums and other locations

Explore the fascinating legacy of our past by simply travelling through the province. Our heritage is everywhere – just look around!

The following provincial heritage properties are just a few of the historic places that appear on the BC and Canadian Registers of Historic Places that you can explore in British Columbia:

 
  • Barkerville Historic Town
  • Cottonwood House
  • Emily Carr House
  • Fort Steele Heritage Town
  • The Grist Mill at Keremeos
  • Cole Island
  • Hosmer Mine
  • Historic Hat Creek Ranch
  • Kilby Store and Farm
  • Point Ellice House
  • Historic Yale
  • Craigflower Manor
  • Craigflower Schoolhouse

National Historic Sites in B.C.

B.C. is home to more than 90 National Historic Sites that include buildings, landscapes, railway stations and lighthouses. Here are just a few examples:

Unique Sites

It may surprise you to learn that these kinds of sites are valued as historic places.

Fossils

  • Burgess Shale
  • Wapiti Lake
  • Driftwood Canyon
  • McAbee

Underwater Sites

Lighthouses

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization works to protect natural and cultural sites worldwide. Why not visit the ones found in B.C.?

Find locations recognized for their heritage value across the country.

The BCRHP database provides access to information about registered historic places to increase awareness, commemoration, and conservation of B.C.’s heritage resources. 

Launch App: BCRHP Database

Contact information

Please contact the Heritage Branch for more information.

Office
250-356-1432
Email
heritage@gov.bc.ca
Street
Heritage BranchPO Box 9818 STN PROV GOVTVictoria, BC V8W 9W3