Mark Bate became a member of Nanaimo Lodge, No. 1090 in 1869, became a member of Ashlar Lodge, No. 3 in 1873 and remained a member of Ashlar Lodge, No.3 until his death in 1927.

Mark Bate statute on the Nanaimo Harbour Walk
Mark Bate statue, Nanaimo Harbour Walk

In 1875 he was elected Nanaimo’s first Mayor and subsequently served a total of 16 terms as Mayor of Nanaimo. Here is a list of Nanaimo’s Mayors – note PDF

There are three Public Commemorations in Nanaimo honouring Mark Bate.

The first is the public road in front of Nanaimo City Hall, which is named Mark Bate Lane.

Mark Bate Lane street sign at Nanaimo City Hall
Mark Bate Lane street sign at Nanaimo City Hall

The second is a statue placed on the Nanaimo waterfront placed by Mark Bate’s descendants in 1999, the 125th anniversary of the City of Nanaimo.

Mark Bate statue on the Nanaimo Harbour Walk
Mark Bate statue, Nanaimo Harbour Walk
Mark Bate Statue and Heritage Tree on the Nanaimo Harbour Walk
Mark Bate Statue and Mark Bate Heritage Tree, Nanaimo Harbour Walk

The oak tree behind the Mark Bate statue has been designated the Mark Bate Heritage Tree

Mark Bate Heritage Tree commemorative marker
Mark Bate Heritage Tree commemorative marker