Hatley Castle

While staying in Victoria I wanted to check out some things we hadn’t seen before, Hatley Castle was on the top of the list. Now for a little history, thanks to Google:

Hatley Castle was built between 1908 and 1910 as the grand retirement home of coal baron and former British Columbia Premier James Dunsmuir and his wife, Laura. Designed by architect Samuel Maclure in a dramatic Scottish baronial style, the castle features turrets, lavish wood-panelled rooms, and sweeping formal gardens. At the time, it was the largest private residence on the West Coast, and the estate operated almost like a small village, with more than 100 staff maintaining the home, farmland, and elaborate gardens.

After the Dunsmuir family left in the late 1930s, the cost of maintaining the massive estate became unsustainable, and it was sold to the Canadian government. During World War II, the property was transformed into a naval training facility and later became Royal Roads Military College, educating generations of Canadian officers.

In 1995, Hatley Castle was designated a National Historic Site of Canada and is now part of Royal Roads University, serving as its administrative centre. Today, it’s also widely recognized for its appearances in film and television—including as Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters in the X-Men series—adding a touch of Hollywood magic to its already rich history.