Sooke Markham House
The small town of Sooke, B.C. is on the southern tip of Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia. It sits on Sooke Basin, a natural harbor off the Juan de Fuca Strait. Juan de Fuca Strait was discovered and claimed by the Spanish in 1790. It was soon traded to the British and named Sooke established in reference to the local Native People, the T'Soke. That name, Sooke is also the name of the Road that is the main street of the town for the 11,000 residents. Where fishing was once the prominent industry, hospitality has now taken its place. Since Sooke is only a 45 minute drive past British Columbia's Capital, Victoria, it as a favorite destination for bed and breakfast visitors. One of homes offering bread and breakfast is the Sooke Markham House.
The home of Lyall and Sally Markham is in the Tudor style. Being in an area where the history dates back to 1790 you might think that it was a remnant from that era. However, the house at 1775 Connie Road was built as recently as 1971 and wasn't named Markham at all. The builder was Mr. Gunlesesson, a craftsman originally from Norway. He built the house for himself, by himself with lumber from the trees on his 10 acres of property. The use of 6 nails where two would have done the trick are evidence of his thoroughness. The house remained a single family home until Lyall and Sally bought it in 1994 and opened it as Markham House Bed and Breakfast.
Lyall and Sally meet all your needs during your stay at their lovely home. The bedrooms are luxurious in an old country way. You are even served a snack before bedtime. Breakfast is presented in the Tudor decorated dining room with humming birds hovering at the windows. Outside is a hot tub, a pond that attracts eagles, a golf green, and the acres of gardens.
A must when visiting Sooke is the 15 miles drive north on West Coast Road/Highway 14 to Point No Point Restaurant. Here you can have lunch or tea and watch the ferries pass through the same Juan de Funca Strait that the Spanish travelled in 1790.
Thank you: To Lyall Markham for the history of Markham House.
Reference: CAA TourBook, Western Canada and Alaska.
Photo: Taken in April 2006 by SW.
Link: http://www.markhamhouse.com/
