MAPPING VICTORIA - Esther Marjorie Hill

Esther Marjorie Hill - May 29, 1895 - January 7, 1985

"Born in Guelph, Ontario, in 1895, Esther Marjorie Hill grew up in a family that valued education. Her mother, Jennie Stork Hill, a poet and mathematics teacher, was one of the first women admitted to the University of Toronto, in 1884. Her father, Ethelbert Lincoln Hill, was a science teacher before becoming Chief Librarian for Edmonton Public Library, a position which brought the family to Edmonton in 1912. Following in her parents’ footsteps, Marjorie pursued higher education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta in 1916.

Marjorie quickly joined the U of A’s architectural program, before transferring to the University of Toronto. There, she completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Architecture in 1920, making her the first woman to graduate from an architectural program in Canada. [Note - research by Robert Hill, editor of the Biographical Dictionary of Architects now recognzies Alice Charlotte Malhiot (1889–1968) as Canada’s first female architect, having graduated with a degree in architecture from the University of Alberta in 1914; however, Esther Marjorie Hill was the first to be registered as an architect.)

Despite her educational achievements, Marjorie faced significant difficulties finding work in her field. Although her first application for registration as an architect in Alberta was rejected in 1921, she accepted the position of draftsman with Edmonton-based architectural firm, MacDonald and Magoon. After working with New York-based architect Marcia Mead from 1923 to 1924, Marjorie was finally admitted to the Alberta Association of Architects in 1925, making her the first woman registered architect in Canadian history." - Rutherford House Bio

"Resourceful and independent, Marjorie Hill supported herself during the Great Depression by applying her design skills to weaving, glove making, producing greeting cards on a hand-press, and by teaching these skills. She wrote a booklet on made-to-measure gloves for the Craftsman's Library. In 1936 she moved to Victoria, where she finally established a practice in architecture. However, she continued to weave and spin and teach these crafts, winning many prizes, including first prize at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto in 1942, using techniques of Finnish weavers whom she admired both for technique and design. She wore her own homespun clothing to the end of her days." - The Candian Encyclopedia

"Hill's first independent commission in Victoria was the conversion of a single-family house to a duplex in 1940. Through the years of the Second World War she designed many houses and converted large houses to apartments, sometimes designing 3 houses a week, and always working alone. After registration in British Columbia in 1952 she designed several apartment buildings, the main building of Lincoln Cemetery and Fellowship Hall. She also designed the first purpose-built care home in Victoria, Glenwarren Lodge Private Hospital.

Marjorie Hill applied a social concern to her work, and extolled the virtues of sun, light and space long before most Canadian architects. Her essentially Modernist sensibility is evident in the unadorned facades of her buildings and in creating comfortable homes with good natural light and ventilation and convenience for housekeeping. Typical of the houses are deep eaves, large windows, cove ceilings, built-in furniture, generous storage spaces and workable kitchens and laundries."

- The Candian Encyclopedia

“One must have artistic talent, practical experience, professional knowledge, good business and executive ability, resourcefulness and a determination to persevere. With these assets there is no reason why a woman should not be as successful as a man.” - Esther Marjorie Hill

Additional Information and Resources

Women Building Alberta - an extensive and excellent biography
Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada
The Canadian Encyclopedia entry

Esther Marjorie Hill - 1920 Graduation from the University of Toronto

Esther Marjorie Hill - circa 194?

Notable Buildings

1170 Fort Street, Victoria BC - built 1952
Glenwarren Lodge - 1230 Balmoral Road, Victoria BC - built 1961

5454 Fowler Road - built 1950 - source Saanich Heritage Register 2008

1170 Fort Street - built 1952

1170 Fort Street - photo September 17, 2022 - © John Johnson

1170 Fort St - photo June 8, 2025- © John Johnson

1170 Fort Street - photo September 17, 2022 - © John Johnson

1170 Fort Street - photo March 21, 2026 - © John Johnson

1230 Balmoral Road - built 1961

1230 Balmoral Road - Glenwarren Lodge - photo March 14, 2026 - © John Johnson

House Plan by Hill featured in the April 13, 1956 edition of the Victoria Daily Colonist

January 8, 1955 Victoria Daily Colonist

The Emmanuel Baptist Church later became the present day Belfry Theatre. Marjorie Hill was the architect for the new addition.

June 13, 1955 Victoria Daily Colonist

Marjorie Hill joined the Women's Institute in 1936, which became the Victoria Handweavers and Spinners Guild:

"“Marjorie becomes known as a master hand-weaver, a perfectionist with superb technique who makes no mistakes and pays almost fanatical attention to edges.”"

The Guild is still active today and has pieces of her work in their collection:

Victoria Daily Colonist - June 13, 1980

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