The Victorian Engine Room: The Subterranean Secrets of Dundurn Castle

A rendition of the 1855 coal-fired hearth that powered the invisible pulse of Dundurn Castle.

Another place I used to drive by frequently but never stopped to check out! Imagine standing in the heart of a "smart home" from 1855, a grand vision made possible by one of the most powerful men in pre-Confederation Canada, Sir Allan Napier MacNab. 

While the upper floors of Hamilton’s Dundurn Castle are a symphony of Italianate luxury, showcasing the wealth of a prominent railway magnate and Joint Premier of the United Canadas, the true mechanical drama unfolds in the limestone foundations—built upon the site of a 1812 military encampment.

Descending into the basement, you aren’t just looking at a kitchen; you’re looking at the industrial soul of a 19th-century empire. This subterranean world holds the secrets of Victorian "heritage hacks" and the iron-willed staff that powered the life of the family that hosted royalty and future Prime Ministers.

Mastering the Invisible City

The Mechanical Nerve: A rendition of the heavy iron bell-cranks and copper rods that formed the Victorian "intercom" system deep within the structure.

While the grand halls were for show, the geological and mechanical story begins deep within the structure.

The Mechanical Pulse: You are standing in a place where early plumbing and coal-fired technology hummed in a rhythmic symphony.

The "Ice House" Secret: Just outside is a deep, stone-lined pit. It stored blocks of frozen river water for up to 12 months using nothing but sawdust insulation—a spectacular example of Victorian thermodynamics.

The Dumbwaiter: In the pantry, a hand-cranked elevator system allowed hot meals to bypass the stairs entirely—requiring massive physical effort from the staff.

    

Architectural & Historical Secrets

The Fort Within the Walls: The castle literally incorporated a 1812 gunpowder magazine and a "sallyport" (a secret defensive tunnel) into its basement foundations.

The Original Farmhouse: Sir Allan built the castle around the existing brick shell of Richard Beasley’s 1800 farmhouse, a prominent early settler who lost the property due to debt.

The Mystery Folly: To the east stands a "folly"—a building designed solely for decoration or to confuse onlookers.

 

Victorian "Smart" Tech & Luxury

The Ablutions Room: This room featured one of the colony's first flush toilets and a copper bathtub with actual running water in 1855 Upper Canada.

The Gaslight Advantage: MacNab had a custom-piped gas lighting system in every room, a significant luxury compared to common candles or kerosene.

The Vertical Bypass: The hand-cranked dumbwaiter was a strategic necessity to keep food hot as it traveled from the basement kitchen to the main floor.

 

Life "Below Stairs"

The 25-Year Gardener: The estate’s incredible grounds were largely the work of William Reid, MacNab's head gardener, who worked there for over 25 years.

The Heirloom Heritage: Today, the 2-acre Kitchen Garden still grows over 200 varieties of 19th-century heirloom fruits and vegetables.

The 11 Turbines of Labor: This is a powerful metaphor for the staff who worked 16-hour days to maintain the castle.

 

By the Numbers: Victorian Infrastructure & Power

• 1,672 Square Metres (18,000 square feet): The massive footprint requiring a subterranean staff of 10-15 to operate.
• 40 Rooms: Each connected by a hidden web of brass bells for instant communication.
• 1855: The year the castle reached its peak engineering state.
• $175,000: The staggering cost to build the castle in 1835 (an astronomical sum).
• The 1855 Expansion: The grand Doric pillars and portico at the front were added specifically for his daughter’s wedding.

The Political Powerhouse

The grandeur of Dundurn was a direct result of Sir Allan MacNab's immense wealth and influence.

The "Uncrowned" Leader: MacNab was officially the Joint Premier of the Province of Canada (1854–1856), holding power a decade before Confederation.

A "Railroad Politician": He famously declared, "All my politics are railroads," using his influence as the President of the Great Western Railway.

Royal Connection: Today, the castle's Royal Patron is Queen Camilla, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Sir Allan MacNab.

 

"The Victorian kitchen wasn't just a room; it was the original high-tech machine—an early version of the automated world we live in today." — Kate

2026 Heritage Kitchen Calendar

Bring a year of "Heritage Hacks" and minimalist kitchen art into your home.

Click the image above to buy the calendar from my Etsy store!

Thank you for your support!

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Resources

Dundurn National Historic Site (Hamilton Civic Museums). (2025). The official source for tours, specific historical facts, and current events.

Parks Canada Agency: Dundurn Castle National Historic Site. (2025). Official government records for the castle’s designation and historical significance.

Ontario Heritage Trust: Dundurn Castle and Grounds. (2025). Records detailing the site's evolution from the 1793 Beasley settlement to MacNab’s Italianate villa and incorporated War of 1812 fortifications.

MilitaryBruce.com: The 1812 Gunpowder Magazine. (2025). Documentation of the Burlington Heights encampment and the military history of the grounds before and during the construction of the estate.

University of Toronto Libraries: Sir Allan Napier MacNab Papers. (2025). Archive records detailing the business, political, and estate management of Sir Allan MacNab.

National Trust for Canada: Dundurn Castle Kitchen. (2025). Focused history on the 40-room Italianate villa and the domestic technology used by the family and staff.