Mar 25 Mystery Castle

I went with a friend and her kids to a Phoenix Point of Pride....The Mystery Castle

here is a link for more info:  http://phoenix.about.com/od/attractionsandevents/ss/mysterycastle.htm

I had never even heard of this unusual home at the base of South Mountain.  It is a very interesting buiding that was made with repurposed and recyled items back in the 1940's for his daughter.

The builder Boyce Gulley found he had TB and left his wife and daughter and headed for AZ.

He made this "castle" for them.  However, he never ever saw them again.  He thought he had a few years to live and ended up living for 15 more years after the original diagnosis.  He actually died in 1945 from cancer when he was in his 60's.  His wife and daughter Mary Lou found out about this home after his death.

Mary Lou was 19 years old and lived her until her death last Nov 2010. 

I found this place to be a bit overwhelming and a bit on the creepy side.  I enjoyed taking pictures but was very glad to leave.  I would have loved to visited when Mary Lou was still alive...but sadly that was not the case.  I would definitely recommend a visit here....they were amazing people with a sad and remarkable story.

( I am pretty sure that these couches were given to Boyce Gulley by Frank Lloyd Wright )

 This particular room was built around a live saguaro cactus...you can still see a piece of the cactus ribs through the doorway.

 kitchen with a view of downtown Phoenix.

 Mary Lou loved cats and this is one created out of cement for her.

 Window view of the downtown

(the lake was a recent addition for a golf course)

One of 13 fireplaces in the castle