Victoria Barracks, Hong Kong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Victoria Barracks |
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| 域多利兵房 | |
| Hong Kong | |
Victoria Barracks, c 1870
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 Victoria Barracks
Location within Hong Kong
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| Coordinates | 22°16′44″N 114°09′50″E / 22.279°N 114.164°E |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site history | |
| Built | circa 1840 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1840-1979 |
The Victoria Barracks (Chinese: 域多利兵房) was a group of buildings where soldiers lived and trained. It was located in the Admiralty area of Central on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. These barracks were built between the 1840s and 1874. They were part of a larger British military area in Central, which also included other barracks and a naval dock. The barracks were named after Queen Victoria, who was the Queen when they were built.
Contents
History of Victoria Barracks
The Victoria Barracks was one of the first places built for British soldiers in Hong Kong. During the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945, the Japanese army used the barracks.
After World War II, the barracks were repaired and updated. In 1967, some of the land was given back to the Hong Kong Government. Most of the remaining land was given back in 1979.
Later, a part of the barracks was used by the Immigration Department. In 1979, people who had recently arrived in Hong Kong went there to register for their Hong Kong identity cards.
Planning for Redevelopment
In 1977, a special committee was set up to plan what to do with the Victoria Barracks area. This committee published a report about its ideas for the future of the barracks.
The plans for rebuilding the Victoria Barracks caused a lot of discussion among the public in the late 1970s. Many people wanted to make sure that important parts of the area were saved.
The committee's report showed that people wanted to keep the old trees and green spaces, like the wooded hillsides, in the barracks. They also wanted to save Flagstaff House and other old buildings. Some people even suggested moving new government buildings and schools to a different location.
In 1979, the government shared its final plan. However, some groups were not happy because the government decided not to save the entire barracks site.
Today, part of the old barracks site is now Hong Kong Park. The southern part of the barracks is where Pacific Place, the High Court, and the Queensway Government Offices are located.
Historic Buildings Still Standing
Several buildings from the Victoria Barracks were saved. They are now considered Grade I historic buildings, which means they are very important and should be protected.
- The Former Explosives Magazine has two old buildings where explosives were stored, plus a laboratory. Earth mounds were built between them to protect against explosions. These buildings are now part of the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre.
- Cassels Block was built in the early 1900s. It used to be living quarters for married British officers. Since 1992, it has been home to the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre.
- Rawlinson House was built in 1910. It was once the home of a high-ranking British military officer. In the 1980s, it was turned into a marriage registry where people can get married.
- Wavell House was also built in the early 1900s for married British officers. In 1991, it became a support center for the aviary (bird house) in Hong Kong Park.
- Montgomery Block is currently used by Mother's Choice Limited, an organization that helps children and families. This building was given back to the Hong Kong Government in 1967.
- Roberts Block has been used since 1986 by a hostel for people recovering from mental health issues. This building was also returned to the Hong Kong Government in 1967.
Queen's Line Area
Ching Yi To Barracks (Chinese: 正義道軍營), which was once called "Queen's Line," was part of the Victoria Barracks. Today, the Ching Yi To Barracks is used by the People's Liberation Army. Two buildings from the old Victoria Barracks, Dragon House and Paget House (Chinese: 百捷樓), are located within this area.
Buildings That Are Gone
Many buildings from the Victoria Barracks were torn down when the area was redeveloped into Hong Kong Park and other modern structures.
- Blocks A, B, C, D, and E were built around 1868 for Indian soldiers. Blocks A and B later became headquarters in the 1920s. Block D was used as the headquarters for Gurkha soldiers in the 1970s.
- Alexander Block was built in the early 1900s.
- Birdwood Block was very similar to Cassels Block and also had a stepped roof. It was used as housing for married officers.
- Colvin Block was used by the Women's Royal Army Corps. The site is now home to the British Council and the British Consulate-General.
- Freyberg Block was built in 1931 and housed the head of the intelligence services.
- Gort Block was used as living quarters for soldiers.
- Hamilton Block was returned to the Hong Kong Government in 1967.
- Kitchener Block was used as housing for school teachers.
- The Squash Courts building in the Barracks was the first building of its kind built in Hong Kong.
Gallery
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Rawlinson House, now used as the Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry
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Cassels Block
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Roberts Block
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The historic stone which was once erected in the Barracks area, now on the lawn outside the Flagstaff House
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The Statue of an unnamed WWI British soldier in Hong Kong Park: a reminder of the historic background of the park. A Memorial plaque dedicated to all the defenders of Hong Kong in December 1941 through CMS John Robert Osborn VC and to commemorate the British Garrison at Hong Kong was later added.
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Pacific Place and the Queensway Government Offices (the tall building on the right) stand on the site where once the Victoria Barracks was located
See also
