History
of the Castle 

1885–1890

Before Construction of The Castle

Craigdarroch Castle was built on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people, also known as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. In the early 1880s Robert Dunsmuir began purchasing parcels of land to build his home eventually accumulating 28 acres. The land consisted of large rocky outcroppings supporting drought tolerant plants such as Garry Oaks, Snowberry, and Ocean Spray. The name Craigdarroch is Scottish Gaelic and translates to “Rocky Oak place”.

1887–1890

Construction of Craigdarroch Castle

In 1887, two years after the last spike had been driven on the E&N railway, and five years after he started accumulating 28 acres of property, Robert Dunsmuir gave the orders to start building Craigdarroch. There were still three Dunsmuir daughters who were not married and the mansion would be the perfect venue to launch them into married life. Unfortunately, he died in April 1889 before the house was completed. After Robert's death, Joan spent some time travelling in Europe. Her sons oversaw the completion of the construction while she was in Europe and Joan, with her three unmarried daughters and two orphaned grandchildren, took up residence in 1890.

1890–1908

Occupied by Joan Dunsmuir

Joan Dunsmuir, her daughters, and grandchildren moved into a home that had the latest conveniences. The building had electric and gas lighting, a speaking tube system for communication, 17 fireplaces, hot water radiators and a telephone. It was also connected to a municipal water supply and the electric trolly stopped outside the Castle's main gates.

The Castle grounds had a formal landscape on the south lawn an stairs on each side led down to the Garry Oak ecosystem where guests could enjoy the tennis courts, a summerhouse, walking trails, ponds and streams.

Joan told a friend that she found the home ostentatious, but it served her well for 18 years and was the site of several large family weddings and parties.

1910–1919

Owned by Solomon Cameron

Soon after Joan Dunsmuir died at Craigdarroch, her daughters sold the Castle to local real estate developer Griffith Hughes. The 28-acre estate was then sub-divided and the Castle raffled. The lucky winners were Solomon Cameron and Parker Clarke. Cameron's brother, Thomas A. Cameron lived here until his death in 1917. Eventually, Solomon Cameron lost the Castle to the Bank of Montreal over unpaid debts. Craigdarroch's institutional life began and continued into the 1970's before being taken over by The Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society.

1919–1921

Craigdarroch Military Hospital

Craigdarroch was extensively renovated by the federal Department of Soldiers Civil Re-establishment (DSCR) prior to opening as a military hospital in September, 1919. The original kitchen was replaced and internal walls reconfigured on almost every floor. New sinks, bathrooms and hydrotherapy facilities were installed. If you are interested in learning more about Craigdarroch Castle's military history we have a book on the subject that can be found in our store.

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1921–1946

Victoria College

Founded in 1903 as an affiliate of McGill University in Montreal, Victoria College had been dissolved in 1915 when a new university, the University of British Columbia, was established in Vancouver, BC.

A local lobby group, spear-headed by Victoria College founder Dr. Edward Burness Paul, was successful in having the College reinstated in 1920. The re-opened College was housed in the new Victoria High School building (located near Craigdarroch Castle) but the situation was not ideal for either the high school or the College. When Dr. Paul learned that the Craigdarroch Military Hospital would be closed, he seized the opportunity to propose Victoria College as a new tenant for Craigdarroch. His proposal was accepted and preparations were started for the move.

At the Castle, the rooms that once housed recuperating veterans were modified again to accommodate the first cohort of students. For example, the double drawing room became a classroom for the instruction of English and History. The library was converted into the Registrar's Office. The formal dining room, fitted out with slatted benches, became the math classroom. The college library was housed in the fourth floor dance hall. Bedrooms on the second and third floors were converted either into classrooms, common rooms or offices.