sight seeing.
Our first stop was Craigdarroch Castle built between 1887-1890 for Robert
Dunsmuir a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver coal.
The Victorian mansion was built on a hill overlooking the city of Victoria on
28 acres. The Castle has 25,572 SQFT including the basement, 17
fireplaces, 14 rooms and three bathrooms. The Castle was built with electric
and gas lighting and indoor running water. The wealth amassed is reflected in the
Castle's four floors of exquisite stained glass, intricate woodwork and lavish
Victorian era furnishings.
Robert Dunsmuir unfortunately died before the castle was finished leaving
his wife his entire estate valued at $15-$20 million dollars in 1888.
Our second stop was near the historic Empress Hotel built 1908 for the Canadian
Pacific Railway. The gardens and view of the harbor are an impressive
site.
Across the street is the British Columbia Parliament Buildings that are described
as "free classical" and "Romanesque". The raw materials to build the buildings came
from throughout British Columbia. At night the building is illuminated by more than
3500 energy efficient light bulbs. The twelve and half acres has been the site of
government in British Columbia since becoming a Province of Canada in 1871.
We worked our way down Government street taking in the many shops and
enjoying the flowers in the hanging baskets on the lamp post.
We strolled thru China Town and ate an enjoyable lunch before proceeding
to Butchert Gardens.
Butchart Gardens once was the home of Jennie and Robert Butchart and was
started with sweet pea seeds and a rose bush. Jennie began a lifelong project
to create a garden. With a great vision, she transformed the barren limestone quarry
which had supplied limestone for the nearby cement factory. Now 55 acres of
breathtaking gardens the 130 acre estate is visited by close to a million people
each year
The Butchart Gardens was passed from Robert and Jennie Butchart to their
grandson on his 21st birthday. When returning from WWII he was torn between
returning to care for the gardens or Law school, the garden won.
The garden is still family owned and has been designated a National Historic Site
of Canada.
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