Julia Askew – First Child of European Ancestry Born in The Chemainus Valley

Mural Routes Member(s): Chemainus Festival of Murals Society

Artist(s): Elizabeth Smily

Producer: Chemainus Festival of Murals Society

Completed: 1986

Dimensions: 3.05m x 1.5m (10’ x 5’)

Best Viewed: Around the corner from Kinney Clothing Co.

“Historical Series #18: Julia Askew – First Child of European Ancestry Born in The Chemainus Valley”

Julia Askew was the first of seven children born in Chemainus to Thomas George and Isabel Julia Askew. An older brother was born in Victoria two years earlier, but Julia was the first child actually born in the young community of Chemainus. She was delivered on February 22, 1871 at Horseshoe Bay, with a Native midwife in attendance.

Julia’s parents were the builders and owners of the second mill in Chemainus, and Isabel Askew continued to act as resident manager for some years after her husband’s death.

(Please drop by the Chemainus Visitors Centre to buy your Official Mural Guide. Proceeds from the sale go to the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society).

For More Information: http://muraltown.com