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Born in Scotland in 1825, Robert Dunsmuir's early life was rooted in coal trade—a foundation that would support his later empire in Canada. His migration to Vancouver Island in 1851 marked a new chapter, driven by keen insight and entrepreneurial acumen. Over the years, Dunsmuir discovered lucrative coal deposits and leveraged this wealth to establish a sprawling business empire encompassing mines, railroads, and vast land holdings.
Within a relatively short period, Dunsmuir transformed from earning just five dollars a week as a miner to amassing a fortune worth approximately half a billion dollars today. This immense wealth allowed him to fulfill his grand architectural ambitions, leaving behind a legacy of stone and mortar that would stand as a testament to his success.