Craigdarroch Castle
the Craigdarroch Castle is part of Victoria .Top photos chosen by u all:
Craigdarroch Castle - 1890
Made by Bob_2006
1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC. Description of Historic Place: Craigdarroch Castle is a four and one-half storey High Victorian mansion on the crest of the Rockland residential neighborhood. Heritage Value: Craigdarroch Castle is significant because it was commissioned by Robert Dunsmuir, one of the most wealthy and powerful capitalists who made his fortune in the mining and shipping industry, and as the financier for the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. Robert Dunsmuir chose the highest point of land in Victoria to build this massive stone mansion; Craigdarroch resides on the crest of Victoria's most prestigious neighborhood, and set a high standard for the subsequent development of Rockland's residential architecture on the mansion's former grounds. This building evokes an image of Victoria's upper crust in the gilded age, and is a monument to the Dunsmuir dynasty and the self-made man's belief in personal wealth and social power. The mansion is Victoria's most prominent symbol of the nouveau-riche that carved their place in the young province. Designed by architect Warren H. Williams, and built during the years 1885-1890, this mansion possesses a significant architectural style reminiscent of a castle in the sky. The unique character of Craigdarroch Castle is evocative of an American interpretation of a Scottish baronial castle. The high quality of the interior finishes set this mansion above all other homes; the extent of such features as the imported millwork and superb stained glass are in a fashion befitting the wealthy entrepreneurs. Used over the years by a variety of groups such as Victoria College, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and as a historic-house museum, Craigdarroch Castle has played an instrumental role in Victoria's cultural development. Source: City of Victoria Planning and Development Department Character-Defining Elements: The character-defining elements of Craigdarroch Castle include: -the diversity of architectural styles popular during the Victorian era, such as the repeated Roman arches, Jacobean dormers and Elizabethan chimneys; -the picturesque silhouette of the steep Chateau roof (reminiscent of French Gothic architecture) punctuated by the tower, turrets, and gables; -the decorative ironwork, iron-braced chimneys for thirty-five fireplaces, the elaborate stone arches and contrasting colours and textures of sandstone and pink granite columns and capitals with foliated decoration on the ground-floor veranda; -the historic perimeter stone retaining wall on the Castle grounds and the south lawn; -the extent and condition of authentic (historic) interiors including oak panelling, the oak ceiling of the entrance hall and stairs, mahogany, carved woodwork and superb stained and leaded glass windows, plaster work in the drawing-room, Minton tiles in the carriage entrance, and elaborately painted ceilings (dating to the time of the Dunsmuir family residence up to 1908). Canada's Historic Places
"Mood" ring
Made by GustavoG
Green is supposed to indicate average reading, active, not under great stress. Blue-green would be inner emotions charged, somewhat relaxed. Blue denotes relaxed, at ease, calm. loveable. In other words, it's a thermometer with an inscrutable but pleasing output display.
Past Glory
Made by Ken Lewis
These old rooms have been restored and they have furnished them well to give you the feeling of what they must have been like when they were an actual home - though not like any home I've lived in!
Bureau
Made by Ken Lewis
An old english desk beneath stained glass windows in an urban castle - I could use one of those.... or maybe I'll settle for a glass of scotch lol
Absence
Made by GustavoG
. After a short while in the castle, one gets so used to the stained glass windows, that when encountering a regular window it looks like a hole.
Nearest places of interest:
| Moss Street Market Cook St. Village Ross Bay Cemetery Hollywood Park | Stadacona Center Stadacona Park Victoria High School The Normandie |
