Craigdarroch Castle II

Above is a more oblique view of Craigdarroch Castle than that published a few days ago. Below are portraits from inside the castle of its builder, the Honourable Robert Dunsmuir, and his wife Joan. Robert died before the castle was completed but his wife and ten children lived there for many years. Robert Dunsmuir came to Vancouver Island from Scotland in 1851 as an indentured miner for $5 a week. Thirty-eight years later he died the richest man in the colony, worth an estimated $15 million (valued at about $400 million today). His is an interesting story and Wikipedia has a short biography you can read by clicking HERE.

Craigdarroch Castle

From a distance Craigdarroch Castle looks like a magical place (scroll down to see yesterday's photo). Up close it doesn't disappoint. It was built by pioneer coal baron, Robert Dunsmuir, to fulfill a promise made to his young bride long before he became wealthy. Though Dunsmuir died before its completion, his widow raised their children there and for many years it was a social centre of the young city of Victoria. The interior of the castle has been beautifully preserved and and is still furnished in the style of the period. Sometime later this summer we'll take a closer look at the treasures inside. Craigdarroch Castle is a National Historic Site of Canada.

Craigdarroch Castle

This 39 room mansion was built in 1890 by Robert Dunsmuir, at that time the richest man in western Canada. Dunsmuir initially made his fortune from coal mines in Nanaimo but later developed the E & N Railroad and many other business ventures. Dunsmuir never got to live in this splendid castle since he died before it was completed. His widow and daughters, however, did occupy it for many years. One of Dunsmuir's sons, James, later became Premier of British Columbia. The castle is open to the public and well worth a visit if you are in Victoria. Click here for more information about the castle and its history.