This Castle located in Holland, Michigan is believed to be the inspiration for part of a classic novel.

I love my urban exploration. When I first learned about this castle while exploring the Felt Mansion, I knew I had to check it out.

Michael Schwartz, who was born in Germany and was a successful businessman from Chicago, wanted a place to rest, away from city life. He purchased land and began construction on his home just outside Holland. The castle is now owned as part of a community association which you can read more about at Castlepark.org.

L. Frank Baum, Author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was a traveling salesmen and writer. According to Wikipedia's page on The book,

Local legend has it that Oz, also known as The Emerald City, was inspired by a prominent castle-like building in the community of Castle Park near Holland, Michigan, where Baum lived during the summer.

As I walked around the outside of the building, I was met by a women who lived in the community who did not want to be photographed or identified. She did, however, provide me with some information on the history of the castle. You can read the rest of the story in this photo gallery.

It is also rumored that the spirit of the one daughter still haunts the castle tower, longing for the love she lost. The community has not allowed any ghost hunting groups to do an investigation inside the castle.

 

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