Most people don’t know this, but Michigan has a few majestic castles, some of which are open to the public to view.
While the castles that have been built in Michigan don’t date back hundreds of years, many of them still have the appeal of castles constructed in the middle ages.
In addition, Michigan is home to the second-largest castle in the world, with 520 units inside the castle.
In this article, we will explore seven castles in Michigan with some history of each.
Seven Most Beautiful Castles in Michigan
1. Henderson Castle Bed and Breakfast
Henderson Castle Bed and Breakfast was established in 1895.
The castle sits on West Steep Hill and overlooks the downtown area of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The castle is often referred to as the Jewel of Kalamazoo and is a Queen Ann-style mansion.
It is approximately 11,000 square feet in size and is currently open to the public.
The castle was purchased in 2011 and is under new management.
It has a rich and long history in the town of Kalamazoo.
Henderson castle sits on three acres of land.
It beautifully blends architectural and antique beauty with modern amenities.
The history of this castle begins with Frank Henderson, a resident and wealthy businessman of Kalamazoo.
His wife inherited a large piece of land in the western part of the town which he had later planned on developing into a neighborhood.
In 1888, Mr. Henderson enlisted the help of engineers and surveyors to draw up the plans for this area of land, and construction on the castle began in 1890.
An architect, C. A. Gombert of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, designed the plans for the castle.
It featured 25 rooms and the interior wood included bird’s eye maple, American sycamore, mahogany, and quartered oak.
In addition, the home featured some of the finest materials and the most expensive taste of the time.
Mr. Henderson, however, did not occupy the home for very long as he passed away shortly after its construction.
The castle has changed hands nine times over the years and currently functions as a bed and breakfast.
It has been featured in several movies and on several history channels.
2. The Curwood Castle
Curwood Castle is located in Curwood Castle Park, Owosso, Michigan.
It is a small castle that operates as a museum and was built by the author, Mr. James Oliver Curwood.
The castle was utilized as a writing studio by Mr. James Oliver Curwood, one of the most famous writers of his time.
Curwood castle was constructed in 1923 and is a replica of a Norman chateau.
It forms part of a collection of historic homes in the Midwest.
The castle is extremely well preserved and serves as a legacy of the life of Mr. James Olivier Curwood.
He was famous for being a writer but had many other passions and hobbies as well.
For example, Mr. Curwood was an adventurist, a pioneer, and a conservationist.
Today, the castle serves as a small museum and is open to the public year-round.
3. Castle Farms
Castle Farms, constructed in 1918, is a special events venue in Charlevoix, Michigan.
It was designed by the architect, Arthur Heun, and constructed by Albert Loeb, the Vice-President of Sears.
It is a nationally acclaimed French Renaissance Castle.
The castle brings together old-world charm with modern-day amenities.
It features stone towers and cobblestone courtyards.
The castle is surrounded by the most beautiful, sweeping gardens.
The historical complex offers year-round, self-guided tours for the public, and features a WWII museum.
Visitors can stroll through the venue at their own pace or join a guided tour during the summer.
Guided tours are much more in-depth, featuring full stories and many historical facts.
The castle features a beautiful pond where visitors can feed ducks and fish, a towering Hedge Maze to explore, and an enchanted forest full of gnomes.
Furthermore, the castle features the largest outdoor model railroad.
There are over 70 trains and more than 2,500 feet of railroad track that entertain guests from May to October, weather permitting.
There is a WWI-era museum that features a lot of memorabilia and many other museum-quality collections.
There are acres of gardens to explore, both formal and informal.
The venue was completely restored to its original form and today hosts many weddings, tours, charity as well as corporate events.
4. The Canadian Lakes Castle
The Canadian Lakes Castle, as the name implies, is located in Canadian Lakes, Michigan, and is owned and operated by the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation.
The chateau-like property sits in the middle of a residential community.
The property features three golf courses, one 18-hole golf course, and two nine-hole courses, as well as 730 acres of waterways.
The castle and residential property was the vision of Donald Bollman, who constructed it in 1974.
It is relatively new in comparison to some other European castles.
It was originally constructed as a residence for Bollman and his family.
The venue features many private amenities for guests to enjoy and can opt for membership when they purchase a property on the estate.
The castle consists of three stories and is something out of a fairytale.
The property comprises 15,000 square feet and is nestled on top of a hill overlooking the lake and surrounding greenery.
Today, the castle is used as a venue to host a variety of events, such as weddings, prom nights, corporate events, and so much more.
There are many events hosted at the venue throughout the year.
5. Castle Museum of Saginaw County History
The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History was previously referred to as Castle Station or Saginaw Post Office.
This historical structure has been placed on the National Registry of Historical Places in the United States.
The castle stands tall and is home to a rich and illustrious history.
It was previously a federal building but today it is open to the public.
The Historical Society of Saginaw County has been charged with preserving the castle and maintaining its integrity since 1979.
The castle was originally designed to be a French castle as it was intended to honor the French heritage of the Saginaw community.
Today, however, it is home to an award-winning museum that features various exhibits, voyagers, and archeology from Saginaw and Michigan state.
There are permanent, past, digital, and temporary exhibits featured at the museum.
The different exhibitions in the museum celebrate the rich diversity of the heritage of Saginaw County and the surrounding area.
The museum features sports memorabilia, antique car history, political statues, home decor from the 1950s, old wooden wagons, lumber and its history in the area, buried artifacts, and so much more.
It is a testament to the rich history of the area.
The museum regularly hosts field trips and guided tours for the public and school children to teach the community about the rich history of Saginaw.
6. Canterbury Castle
Canterbury Castle is located in Orion Township, Michigan.
The castle is set in a luxurious setting.
In terms of architecture, it is a masterpiece.
It showcases expert craftsmanship.
Though not an actual castle, the structure features four towers, an exceptional interior, and outstanding woodwork.
It is still reminiscent of a beautiful castle.
It is, in fact, a restaurant that also hosts various events such as weddings, birthdays, and corporate events.
Established in the 1890s, the original structure was a barn before it was converted into a castle and wedding chapel.
It is considered to be a historical landmark.
The banquet hall/restaurant can accommodate up to 220 guests.
The castle features many amenities, such as a dance floor, a coat room, a piano, and a large parking area.
7. Helmer Castle
Helmer Castle is located in Jackson, Michigan, and is registered as an events venue.
The castle was constructed in 1929 by Max Helmer.
According to some historical data, Max Helmer, a concert violinist, had completed a tour of Europe where he had performed for many heads of state.
This was a career that made him very well-known around the world and also wealthy.
During this tour, he had fallen in love with the castles around Europe, their designs, interiors, and significance.
It was during this tour that he was inspired to build his own fortress on top of a hill in Jackson, Michigan, upon his return to the United States.
The land was left to him for inheritance by his father, a Jackson banker.
He found the property to be the ideal setting to construct his six-story, fifth-century Roman hall.
He constructed the castle on one of the tallest elevations in Michigan.
Max Helmer was a bachelor recluse who constructed the stone structure for seclusion.
However, the castle was so prominent and well-designed, it became a point of interest to the community.
It was designed by architect C.J. Jorgensen.
Each of the first five floors was designed as a bedroom with its own fireplace and beautiful antique furniture.
Each floor is accessed by the same spiraling staircase.
A sixth floor was added to address a leak in the ceiling of the fifth floor.
The castle also features a dungeon with a trap door on the first floor and a turret that can only be accessed from the outside.
The castle has passed through various hands through the years after the death of its original owner and today it is strictly off-limits to the public.
Michigan Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Michigan Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any castles in Michigan that have private residents?
Yes, a small handful of castles are utilized as private residences.
Though it should be mentioned that these structures simply mimic some of the features of an actual castle and are not a true castle.
Can I build a castle in the US?
Yes.
You’ll need a permit.
These permits vary from one state to the next.
Can you buy a castle to live in?
Many people are under the impression that you need to either inherit a castle or be of a royal bloodline in order to live in one.
The truth of the matter is that any person is able to purchase a castle that is up for sale.
What is the average price of a castle?
The price of a castle is determined by various factors, one of which is its size.
The average castle may cost anywhere from $250,000 to upwards of $1 000 000.
