ary Flanagan (Grant), a student in the 1920s and 1930s, had a memorable experience on the Alleé. At that time, the trees that lined the lane were poplars. This leafy species had become the home of an infestation of caterpillars. They emerged from their cocoons, and, as Mary walked in through the gate and towards the school, fell from the branches and into her hair. There were so many that she needed the help of one of the Sisters to pull them all out before going to class!

Sequoias in front of St. Anns

At the top of the Alleé, at the main entrance to the building, two tall evergreens still stand. This pair of Sequoias, Sequoiadendrum giganteum, was given to the Academy as a gift by the McQuade family at the turn of the century. Mr. and Mrs. Peter McQuade wished to mark the entry of their daughters, Cecelia and Anna, into the Sisters of Saint Ann. They were the first women from Victoria, and the whole of British Columbia, to become Sisters of Saint Ann. Giant Sequoias come from California and are an exotic species to the Victoria area. This made them special gifts. A number of Sequoias can be found in Victoria, that were planted at the same time period and were also presented as gifts, such as the tree in Oak Bay, an area just outside the city. Many of the girls who were forced to find other schools, when the Academy closed in 1973, chose to attend Oak Bay High School. A story grew amongst them that this tree was related to the pair at St. Ann's, perhaps as a way to remind themselves of the school they missed so much.

gate and entrance (click here for larger image)

The Alleé has now been relined and replanted. In the evenings, tiny sparkling lights outline the trees along the border. Wedding parties often pause for photographs or leave the chapel ceremony by horse-drawn carriage via this lane. When St. Ann's was designated as an important heritage sight, plaques were set up by the government, listing the accomplishments of Bishop Demers and the Sisters. Today, visitors do not have to be royal to enter through the wrought iron gates and stroll up the Alleé.