THE LITERAL HIGH POINT OF VANCOUVER island coal mining history is the subject of Terry Reksten's Craigdarroch: The Story of the Dunsmuir Castle (Orca Book Publishers $12.95).

Constructed for millionaire coal baron Robert Dunsmuir atop the highest point of land in Victoria, Craigdarroch Castle was once the most expensive residence in Western Canada. The property was sold in 1909 and became the prize for a lottery featured in Ripley's Believe It Or Not.

After serving as a military hospital, Craigdarroch housed Victoria College from 1921 to 1946. Faculty member Walter Gage later became president of UBC. Student newspaperman Pierre Berton left his mark at the college by carving his still visible initials into the building's panelling.

[BCBW 1988] "Mining";