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Standing on top of a huge hill above the lakes region in New Hampshire is this castle humbled by nature and time. Sitting on 25 acres of extremely scenic views of lakes and mountains, the castle was built by a railroad tycoon in 1899. It was a near mirror design after another castle in Germany along the Rhine river. The RR tycoon died in 1919 and the castle was inherited by close family. In 1960, the last heir, the builder's daughter-in-law passed away and the structure was left to nobody. She stipulated in her will that the property should never be used for commercial purposes and left the estate and several hundred thousand dollars to a charitable foundation with the contingency that they create a nature preserve there. The preserve was never created but in 1981 the NH Attorney General's Office took control of the land, and by 1990, with push from the community, some of the land was sold and houses were built (some literally feet from the castle) and the remaining area was made into 260 acres of hiking trails.
I'm always fascinated with the history of these places I explore, so if I can find information I will share while withholding names, exact locations and any sensitive information. If you are from the NH/Lakes regions you more than likely may already know of this place.
While there was very little vandalism and even fewer signs of graffiti, the place was extremely heavily looted upon its initial closing. Furniture, artwork, stained glass, gargoyles and even doorknobs were all taken. I heard the dragon gargoyles were extremely detailed and impressive, but the shell that was left behind is still beautiful in it's own, and the views from the castle's front protruding green tower are slightly grown over but are still awe inspiring.
[last edit 5/22/2017 3:30 PM by 6sayytann6 - edited 1 times]
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Nice find
Thank you sharing this.
The copper work gives a hint of what it once was.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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I'd noticed the recent new owner gave up on this one. Cool that you made it inside. I don't think it's long for this world.
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Posted by inacron
I'd noticed the recent new owner gave up on this one. Cool that you made it inside. I don't think it's long for this world.
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Yeah I believe they have too. There were some tools and roofing sealant in there but they looked pretty old. We lucked out, didn't look like any of the neighbors on the hill were home at the time, if they were I don't think we would have made it inside.
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I remember exploring this back in the late 1980s, it was fairly stripped even then. There's been efforts to redevelop it, as recently as 10 years ago or so, but they seem to have been for naught. nice old place, such a shame that it's in such bad condition and unloved.
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Posted by PowSkierNH
I remember exploring this back in the late 1980s, it was fairly stripped even then. There's been efforts to redevelop it, as recently as 10 years ago or so, but they seem to have been for naught. nice old place, such a shame that it's in such bad condition and unloved.
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I whole heartedly agree, the building was beautiful and had incredible views.
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