150 years later, flag flies high for Colony of Vancouver Island

WATCH: A giant flag no one has ever seen before is getting a lot of attention on Vancouver Island. Kylie Stanton explains.

Have you driven past Victoria recently and noticed a giant British-looking flag with a beaver on it?

You aren’t hallucinating.

“They’re phoning about the flag to see what’s going on,” says Scott Adams, co-owner of Adams Storage with his brother Jim.

The two are flying the official flag for the Colony of Vancouver Island at their business, located next to the Trans-Canada Highway.

Aside from having the Union Jack, the flag also features the trident of Neptune, a pine cone to represent the Island’s forests, and a beaver to represent the fur trade.

While it was approved by Queen Victoria in 1865, events ensured a short shelf life.

“It was only used for a short period of time and no actual flag was made,” says Paul Servos of Victoria’s Flag Shop, who says the Adams’ flag is the largest in existence for the ex-colony.

“Right away in 1865, the Colony of British Columbia and the Colony of Vancouver Island merged, so they didn’t bother to make the flag.”

It was only in 1988 that the flag was resurrected, after Michael Halleran, a local a flag expert, sketched out how it could look to Servos.

While it’s now relatively popular (as far as Victorian-era abandoned flags go), it’s safe to say the Adams’ display is the most publicity the flag has ever received.

It certainly pleases the brothers.

“It’s nice to see how much satisfaction everyone’s getting out of it,” says Scott.

“I think people are excited to have their own Vancouver Island flag,” adds Jim.