BC History: Dunsmuir

Comments 8 by Rebecca Bollwitt

As we were taking a stroll down Dunsmuir Street in Cumberland this weekend, Keira was filling me in on all of the regional history. I realized that even though I’ve profiled the origins of street names in Vancouver, I have never mentioned Dunsmuir and the family’s impact around the province.

Aside from the street traversing downtown Vancouver, I’ve noticed the Dunsmuir name in a few other locations so here’s a brief introduction to the family and their legacy.

Robert Dunsmuir was a coal baron whose family ruled the industry in BC from the 1870s until the turn of the century. From railroads, the formation of towns, and even government office, the Dunsmuir name helped shape the province in many forms. Although the reign was not without scandal, such as the Dunsmuir’s opposition to organized labour, Dunsmuir was an economic force to be reckoned with for decades.

In the 1890s Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria was built for Robert’s wife, Joan Olive (White) Dunsmuir.


Photo credit: Tracy O on Flickr

Son, Alexander Dunsmuir

Robert’s son, Alexander, moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 1878 to manage the family business and built Dunsmuir House for his wife Josephine in 1899.

Son, James Dunsmuir

Heir to the Dunsmuir business fortunes, James managed the Dunsmuir coal empire from 1876 until 1910 and sold his Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway to the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1905.

James was elected to the BC legislature in 1898 and also served as the Premier until he resigned in 1902. “Appointed Lieutenant-Governor in 1906, he was an uneasy occupant of the Vice-Regal office. The criticism he received when he refused to give Royal Assent to anti-Oriental legislation turned to howls of outrage when it was discovered he was recruiting cheap Japanese labour to work in his mines.” [Hatley Castle]


Photo credit: Jessia Hime on Flickr

James had Hatley Castle / Hatley Park in the Colwood area built for his family in 1908. You may recognize it as the home of Lex Luthor on the series Smallville, where they use exterior shots as Luthor Manor. The X-Men films were shot inside Hatley Castle as it served as Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.

In 1909 James also founded the town of Ladysmith, naming it after the victory at the Battle of Ladysmith during the Boer War (the first war in which Canada participated).

Hatley Castle is now the home of Royal Roads University and a museum that runs tours as well as bookings for private functions. Members of the Dunsmuir family are scattered across the globe yet in recent years several have been back to the Castle to visit and reminisce. [Royal Roads]

I would highly recommend checking out these two castles and while you’re in the Greater Victoria area, Fort Rodd Hill & the Fisgard lighthouse offer up some excellent local history as well.

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8 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Tim AyresMonday, April 20th, 2009 — 5:34pm PDT

    Thanks for the Vancouver History tidbits once again, Rebecca, and thanks for the Island love. I’ll link this in an upcoming post.

    Hatley Castle is truly amazing, I was there for an event a few months ago. Not to be picky, but Hatley Park/Castle is in Colwood, not Sooke. It just happens to be on Sooke Road, which stretches from Colwood some 20km or so to Sooke.

  2. Miss604Monday, April 20th, 2009 — 5:36pm PDT

    You’re not being picky, I was actually confused (and couldn’t find the straight info) so that helps a lot! Post has been updated, thanks Tim 😀

  3. ChantaleMonday, April 20th, 2009 — 5:40pm PDT

    I live just 5 minute wall from Hatley Casstle and. I love walking there and take in the scenery. It is very beautiful

  4. Tyler IngramTuesday, April 21st, 2009 — 9:19am PDT

    When I lived in Victoria (house #2) we had a stone staircase in our backyard that led up to the Craigdarroch Castle property. We used to play in the grassy field quite a bit.

    Since then they have taken down a lot of the trees and and are currently renovating the grounds (my sister was there last week).

    I miss that house… lol

  5. Michelle ClausiusTuesday, April 21st, 2009 — 2:47pm PDT

    I visited Craigdarroch Castle a couple years ago and was amazed at how many inhabitants it has had over the years.

  6. BC Premier #13 – James Dunsmuir | Not To Be Trusted With KnivesSunday, June 14th, 2009 — 8:43am PDT

    […] References: 3Wikipedia, the reference of that had very little to say about Premier Dunsmuir. 4Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online 5Miss 604’s blog posting on the Dunsmuir family. […]

  7. Hilary ParkinsonTuesday, June 15th, 2010 — 9:09am PDT

    I am married to a member of the Dunsmuir family (Neil – his mother was a Margaret Dunsmuir) who originally came from Ayrshire in Scotland. Probably no relation to the Robert you mentioned but it’s nice to read info. We visited Vancouver a few years ago and saw the street name and a carriage on the train had the Dunsmuir name too! I am sure they moved from Scotland at some stage!!
    The Dunsmuirs on my husband’s side come from Allan Dunsmore 1813 who married Catherine Walker and produced Alexander, Mary, James(our link), Allan, Jean, Robert (born 1852), David, Catherine and John. Allan, David and John moved out to New Zealand!

  8. MarkThursday, December 16th, 2010 — 3:19pm PST

    Thanks for sharing this article. I really enjoyed it as well as the beautiful pictures. They really capture the beauty of their real counterparts.

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