Sure, almost every Connecticut resident has at least heard of, if not actually been to, Gillette Castle in East Haddam. It’s one of those curious places, unique in character, that has become a much-lauded tourist attraction in the state. Luckily, the circa 1913 legit castle has been impeccably preserved by the state and is now operated as a state park. What many residents don’t know is that there are other castles in our small state (although not quite as accessible). In this piece, I’m set to explore three castles of Connecticut: Gillette, Hearthstone Castle in Danbury, and The Castle House in New London.
I’m not a completist; so I will not be searching high and low for every castle-like structure in the state. (For a complete list of everything CT-based, head over to CTMQ (www.ctmq.org) Other castles in the state (that I know of) include semi-castles such as Castle Craig high atop West Peak in Meriden (and other such stone towers), a castle-esque structure on Palmer Neck Road in Stonington, St. Clement’s Castle in Portland, and this castle-home in Woodstock. For this piece, we’ll be exploring three castles, one in each part of the state: eastern, central, and western.
Gillette Castle
With good reason (it’s open to the public), the most well-known of the castles of Connecticut is definitely Gillette Castle. Completed in 1913 as the vision of famed actor (best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on stage) William Gillette, his abode is a sight to see. Perched high atop the Seven Sisters, a chain of hills flanking the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, he nicknamed his property the “Seventh Sister.” Constructed with Connecticut Fieldstone and Georgian White Oak, it is built in a faux-German style.
Among its many intricate features are secret panels inside the home and a complex system of mirrors that Gillette used to spy on his guests. From his bedroom, Gillette could see via mirrors who was helping himself to a drink at his bar as well as who was arriving in the great hall so that he could stage a grandiose entrance. Guests of his included Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin. Gillette’s portrayal of Holmes is how we associate the character today; with deerstalker hat and pipe, he is the most recognizable actor in history to play Holmes.
William Gillette, I presume?
Back to the castle: there are forty-seven hand-carved doors in the castle, all with intricate locks. The locks and light switches, all made of wood, are extremely ornate. The minute details of the castle’s interior are dumbfounding. For example, in the downstairs study, his desk chair is on a guided track so as not to scratch the floor. He installed an intricate sprinkler system throughout the castle, in which pipes were set up with wooden tassels to pull in case of a fire.
Upstairs, there is a tower room with windows facing three sides, providing an incredible view of the Connecticut River. One of the rooms is set up just like Sherlock Holmes’s study, and occasionally an actor is hired to portray William Gillette portraying Sherlock Holmes. The castle also features wooden light switches and a room that he would scurry into if someone appeared at his front door whom he wanted to avoid.
Crazy Cat Guy?
Gillette was obsessed with cats as well as frogs. His adoration can be seen in the copious amount of feline and frog memorabilia strewn around the castle. From pictures to figurines, the visitor will encounter them at every turn. Before the recent renovation to the castle, there used to be a frog fountain at the side of the castle, with water spurting from the frog’s mouth. One of the most interesting rooms in the castle is the greenhouse-styled room, equipped a lovely waterfall and a frog pond for Gillette’s two pet frogs.
Gillette also fancied trains, hence the three-mile narrow gauge rail loop on the grounds. The train traveled under tunnels and over bridges. There are tales of Gillette driving friends in one of two locomotives on crazy rides throughout his many acres. One of his trains was later sold to Lake Compounce Park in Bristol, Connecticut. Mr. Gillette also had a riverboat docked at the foot of his property on the Connecticut River. On the grounds is Grand Central Station (for the train), which is now a picnic area, and a frog pond.
Today, the state of Connecticut is conserving one man’s creative legacy. Some write, some paint, some sing, but William Gillette, even though he did write and act, expressed the inner workings of his mind through the architecture, the intricate woodwork and the precise placement of stones of his palace. Gillette wrote in his will that he did not want a “blithing saphead” to inherit the land. He would be pleased to find out that the state has done an excellent job in preserving the land and the home just as it was when he dwelled in it, save for a newly added gift shop and a hotdog stand.
Visitor Info
The castle stands much as it was when it was built almost 100 years ago, perched atop the seventh hill of the Seven Sisters chain. From the Connecticut River, one can see the castle rise above the trees. This oddity stands as a thriving tourist attraction, with more than 340,000 visiting a year. There is a small fee to take a self-guided tour of the inside of the castle. Visiting the grounds, with their extensive hiking trails, is free, and leashed dogs, as well as children in school groups, are encouraged to roam, a breath of fresh air in a corporate world full of rules and regulations and steep entry fees.
Hearthstone Castle
Once on par with the grandeur of Gillette Castle, Hearthstone Castle, or what remains of it, is located in the woods of Tarrywile Park in Danbury. This stone home was built between the years of 1895 and 1899. Just a word of note: the public is allowed to walk up to this castle as it sits, crumbling, high atop a hill off of Brushy Hill Road, but is not allowed inside. The interior of the castle is in complete disrepair; only the stone facade remains erect. The structure is littered with graffiti, but traces of its former glory still shine through.
The interior of the castle was once beautiful, with libraries, bedrooms, and living rooms designed with extremely ornate detail. Initially, the castle was named Sanford Castle for E. Starr Sanford. In 1902, the home became known as Buck’s Castle, as the family with that name purchased the home. Charles Darling Parks moved into the Tarrywile Mansion, located down the hill. He then purchased this castle in 1918. It was renamed Hearthstone for the eight fireplaces located inside. The stone used to build the castle was quarried on site.
The Parks family remained in the home until 1982. Five years later it was sold to the City of Danbury. Before its decay, the castle reached three stories in height and included sixteen rooms. Its construction is in the 11th-century style with Norman towers, a gatehouse, and other outbuildings. For a peek into the castle in it’s heyday, check out Tarrywile’s website.
Visitor Info
Although Gillette Castle is the face of the castles of Connecticut, Hearthstone actually predates Gillette’s vision. To get to Hearthstone, the best bet is to park at the Tarrywile Park mansion and cross Bushy Hill Road to a path uphill. The path, which is part of the park’s trail system, is steep, rock-strewn, and rutted. After the short, but vertical incline, the castle is in view. There is a fence surrounding the building which on my visit was open. Don’t try your luck at entering the building since it literally has no floor and is clearly unstable. It is worth it though, to see this relic of history before the wrecking ball obliterates this piece of the past.
Castle House – New London
Although I have been going to Ocean Beach at the tip of New London for years, it was only until this year when researching the castles of Connecticut I had a tip to check out this place. This castle-abode predates the others as it was constructed in 1850. Located in the Neptune Beach seaside community, it is noted as the home of former Governor of Connecticut Thomas M. Waller as he moved here in 1913. This location is best known as the landing spot of the British led by Benedict Arnold on his raid of New London in 1781.
From the front of the house on Elliott Avenue, its castle-stylings are prominent, but from the backside less so. Once the castle was in disrepair, but has been painstakingly updated in recent years. A tour series of area houses included this castle house a few years’ back.
Just like Castles in the Sand
Connecticut has always been “full of surprises,” and these castles of Connecticut are just a few of them. The next time you’re road tripping through the Nutmeg State, look for these castles in your own backyard!
Looking to add on to your Connecticut trip? Here are a few recommendations: The Beeracks, Old Saybrook and a trip to Manchester.
