DUNGEONS 'N DRAGONS 'N MOATS 'N STUFF.....JANUARY 20 2012.......


Sounds like something out of a horror movie doesn't it.  Seems when you think of a castle you think of all of the above.  They just go together, like peanut butter and jelly.

Today will talk about American Castles.  I will start with the newest one I have photographed - Berkeley Springs Castle.

This castle was built between 1885 and 1891 by a Colonel Samuel Taylor Suite. Colonel Suite fought in the Civil War and when he was 46 years of age he met and fell in love with Rosa Pelham, the 17 year old daughter of Congressman Charles Pelham of Alabama.

Upon his proposal of marriage she turned him down.  Upon meeting 5 years later, he again proposed and she accepted.  He promised to build her a castle.  The castle was built in the town of Bath, the official name of Berkeley Springs.  Colonel Suite never saw his castle completed, he died just before the project was finished.   His will stipulated Rosa had to complete the castle to inherit his fortune, and so she did.

Rosa went wild, hosting sunset to sunrise parties, renting entire trains to bring guests to Bath, and because of her lavish spending by the time she was 50 the money was gone and in 1909 the castle was sold.

At the present time Andrew Gosline owns the castle, and has brought the castle back to the glamour of Rosa's time.  The gardens are restored, and furnished with period furniture.

The only down-side to the story is that the castle is not open for public touring.  It can be rented - at a price tag of $1000.00 - for 4 hours, for weddings, fund-raisers and private parties. 

Does anyone out there want to have a very elaborate 4 hours?  If we had 100 people it would only cost each one of us $10.00.  For 50 people it would be $20.00.  

This is just one of 7 castle I have photographed recently in the United States.  Following are the six others:



Lyndhurst Castle New York State





Bannerman's Castle New York State




Gillette Castle Connecticut




At Boldlt Castle 1000 Islands New York




Mac-O-Chee Castle Ohio



Montezuma's Castle Arizona

As you can see, we have our share of castles, just that I have found.  Everyone is different, but so far no moats, no dragons, and no dungeons that I have located.  Guess I'll just have to keep looking.

In the meantime if you find any of the above, let me know.  Enjoy the snow and God Bless.