Robert Dunsmuir, a wealthy Victorian-era coal baron, began
construction on Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, B.C. in the 1880’s. It was to
be a Scottish-style baronial mansion – a residence for himself, his wife and
children. He died long before its completion, and his sons finished the
project. When Dunsmuir’s wife passed away the estate was carved into building lots.
The castle itself became a raffle prize for the lots’ buyers. The lottery
winner mortgaged his prize to back a risky speculation scheme, which of course
failed. So the castle ended up belonging to Bank of Montreal. The castle subsequently
served as a World War I military hospital, a college, a school board office,
and a conservatory of music. Today it’s a museum featuring Victorian stained
glass windows and intricate woodwork. Robert Dunsmuir’s son James also
commissioned a second castle in Victoria: Hatley Castle. Hatley is featured in
several movies and TV shows, including the X-Men series. Maybe Craigdarroch
Castle is just camera-shy.
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