“The Castle”, in Holland, Michigan was a resort inn for several years, but is now privately owned and is no longer open to the public. The castle like structure is a three story brick and stone building with a tower.
The small scale replica of a German castle was built as a private estate in 1890. The owner was a native of Germany who was successful in Chicago real estate. He had the desire to insulate his family from the uncivilized American influences. The Schwarz family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz, six daughters and two sons. The Schwarz family moved from Chicago to western Michigan, where Schwarz though he could keep his family close.
Mr. Schwarz found that keeping his city bred children isolated was a challenge. The family lived in the castle for two years before moving to Holland, never to return.
While in residence at the Castle, one of the daughters fell in love in a local Dutch boy. Schwarz disapproved of the match and fought to keep the couple separated. The young couple decided to elope, by fleeing in a buggy on a moonlit night. Schwarz was irate and pursued them on horseback.
Although some storytellers say that the couple married before her irate father could catch up with them, most claim that Schwarz did catch up with them and stop the wedding. He carried his heartbroken daughter away and locked her in the castle tower.
There are those who claim to see the face of the sad girl looking for her lost love out the window of the castle tower. Some believe that the ghost of the sad girl haunts the building to this day.
History of Castle Park
The Schwarz family abandoned the stone castle by 1893. A headmaster of the Chicago Preparatory School, Rev, Parr, discovered the spot and purchased it immediately to be used as a summer camp for children. Soon parents of the children discovered the beautiful spot and it evolved into a summer resort for families. Rev. and Mrs. Parr closed their prep school to devote their time to Castle Park.
Families began buying lots and building cottages at Castle Park. Descendants of the original cottage owners still own many of these cottages.
In 1917 the nephew of Rev. Parr, Carter Pennell Brown, assumed ownership of the park. Carter married his childhood sweetheart the same momentous year.
Carter Brown made improvements to the property. He planted English Ivy, which covered most of the inn. He made additions to the inn, increasing its capacity.
In 1985 Castle Park was closed to the public. The Castle is owned by the Castle Park community of about 100 cottage owners. The additions that Carter had constructed to accommodate the needs of the inn were removed. The castle exterior was restored to its original state.
Castle Park is now owned by the owners of the cottages surrounding the historic building. The stone castle is now a library and bingo hall, used for recreation for the community homeowners.
Some of the people in this community have claimed to see a ghost in the castle tower window.
Holland, Michigan is on the west side of Michigan, within driving distance from Chicago, Illinois and Indiana.
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