🏰 Craigdarroch Castle: Love, Legacy & Luxury 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨

Built in 1890, this Victorian masterpiece was a promise from Robert Dunsmuir to his wife, Joan. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨ 💙🚇He vowed to build her a castle on the Pacific coast after making his fortune as BC’s “Coal King” ($15M!). 🏛️🚩 Tragic twist: He died before it was finished. Named after his Scottish birthplace, the castle’s story is one of love, loss, and legacy.🌐 🌹 A Castle of Dreams: Joan Dunsmuir lived here until her death in 1908. After brief ownership by Thomas A. Cameron (who also died here 👀), it became a military hospital, school, and music academy. 🌐 Since 1979, it’s been a family-owned museum—Victoria’s most beloved attraction!📍📍 💰 No Expense Spared: Costing $500k to build, it features BC granite, San Francisco tiles, and a pre-built oak staircase from Chicago. Set on 28 acres of formal gardens, the 39-room, 25,000 sq ft castle is pure opulence.📸🌲 🎨 1890s Glam: Step back in time with original stained glass, intricate woodwork, and period furniture. 🏛️🚩 The original architect, Warren H. Williams, died before completion—his colleague Arthur Smith took over. 👑 Royal Vibes: From coal barons to tourists, this castle’s story is a testament to love and ambition. Visit and feel the history!💙🚇 📍 Victoria, BC #Architecture #VictorianDesign #CastleLife #HistoricHomes📸🌲