Stronghold Center

Stronghold Castle

Stronghold Castle, as seen from the south-east
General information
Architectural style Tudor
Location Oregon, Illinois, USA
Address 1922 Illinois Route 2 North
Coordinates 42°02′44″N 89°20′36″W / 42.045479°N 89.343276°W / 42.045479; -89.343276Coordinates: 42°02′44″N 89°20′36″W / 42.045479°N 89.343276°W / 42.045479; -89.343276
Construction started 1928
Completed 1930
Client Walter Strong
Owner Blackhawk Presbytery
Design and construction
Architect Maurice Webster [1]

Stronghold Castle or Stronghold Center is a Tudor-style castle located near Oregon, Illinois, atop the limestone bluffs along the Rock River. Designed by Maurice Webster, it was built between 1928 and 1930 by Walter Strong, then owner and publisher of the Chicago Daily News, as a summer home.[2][3] In 1963, the castle and surrounding area were purchased by Blackhawk Presbytery[4] Today, it serves as a year-round camping and retreat center, hosting summer camps and an Olde English Faire.[4]

The castle includes 25 rooms and four secret passageways.[2] In part inspired by visits to the famous Hearst Castle of rival New York Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, in 1928 Walter Strong and his wife Josephine purchased land west of the Rock River, including the barn and silo that form the basis of the castle's structure.[1] The castle's limestone comes from two quarries on the property.[1] Walter Strong died in May 1931, only a few months after construction was completed.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Webster, Towner. "The Stronghold" (PDF). Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Points of Interest: Stronghold Center". Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "Welcome to Stronghold Center". Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Stronghold Center". Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
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