Curwood Castle
Curwood Castle | |
Curwood Castle | |
| |
Location |
224 John St. Owosso, Michigan |
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Coordinates | 42°59′34″N 84°10′31″W / 42.99278°N 84.17528°WCoordinates: 42°59′34″N 84°10′31″W / 42.99278°N 84.17528°W |
Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1922 |
Architectural style | French manor |
NRHP Reference # | 71000420[1] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | September 03, 1971 |
Designated MSHS | April 24, 1970 |
Curwood Castle is a small castle, now a museum, located in Owosso, Michigan, built by author James Oliver Curwood.
Overview
Construction on the building began in 1922 and was completed in 1923. The castle was the dream of author James Oliver Curwood,[2] who used one of the turrets as a writing studio.
Jim Curwood was born in Owosso in 1878. He built this replica of a Norman chateau along the banks of the Shiawassee River near his home in Owosso. The exterior is made of yellow stucco containing fieldstones he chose himself. The roof is slate with copper trim. The structure does not contain any eating or sleeping areas. He used the great room to entertain guests, including movie producers, and the largest turret as his writing studio.
A hunter in his early years, Curwood later became a zealous conservationist, and was appointed to the Michigan Conservation Commission in 1926. He died a year later at age 48. In his will, the castle was given to the City of Owosso. It has served in various capacities over the years and is now a museum operated by the city, and is open to the public.
Each year, the castle hosts the Curwood Festival. The event celebrates the life and works of James Oliver Curwood.
References
- ↑ National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- ↑ http://www.shiawasseehistory.com/owossohistoryindex.html
External links
Media related to Curwood Castle at Wikimedia Commons
- Curwood Castle - Michigan tourism
- Photos and information
- Curwood Castle - photo & information