Leopold Lowenberg was born in Potsdam, Germany,
1819. In
1858, he immigrated to
Vancouver Island and founded a real estate agency in
Victoria. Lowenberg also volunteered for the city's Fire Department.
In
1861, Lowenberg purchased land in
Victoria (“Lot Z”) from
Alexander Grant Dallas. However, due to land ownership confusion between the Crown and the Hudson's Bay
Company, Colonial Office officials questioned the legitimacy of the sale. Lowenberg
discovered this when city officials accused him of trespassing on the land he purchased.
According to official reports, Lowenberg
became very violent
and attacked the Land Office employee when they tried to dissuade Lowenberg from
building a fence around the lot. In
1862, Lot Z was given to the Crown and the sale was nullified. Lowenberg then called on
the Hudson's Bay Company to reinstate his ownership, which prompted further debate
between the company and government. The case even threatened to halt the Crown's reconveyance
of Victoria. In
1865, Lowenberg agreed to take £1900 as reimbursement. The Crown and Hudson's Bay Company
then argued over who should reimburse him.