Curwood Castle facts for kids
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Curwood Castle
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Curwood Castle
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 224 Curwood Castle Drive Owosso, Michigan |
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| Area | less than 1-acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1922 |
| Architectural style | French manor |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000420 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 03, 1971 |
Curwood Castle is a small castle located in Owosso, Michigan. It was built by a famous author named James Oliver Curwood. Today, this special building is a museum that you can visit!
Contents
The Story of Curwood Castle
Who Was James Oliver Curwood?
James Oliver Curwood was born in Owosso, Michigan, on June 12, 1878. He loved spending time outdoors, exploring nature. When he was young, he even rode his bicycle all the way through the southern states!
Later, he came back to Michigan. He studied at the University of Michigan for two years. After that, he became a reporter and then an editor for a newspaper called the Detroit Tribune. In 1907, James Curwood moved back to Owosso. He wanted to spend all his time writing. The very next year, he published his first book!
Building the Castle
In 1923, James Curwood started building his dream castle. It was designed to look like a Norman chateau, which is a type of French castle. He built it right next to the Shiawassee River in Owosso, close to his mother's house.
The castle was finished in 1924. James Curwood used this unique building as his private writing studio and office. He lived with his family on the other side of the river.
Curwood's Legacy and the Castle Today
James Curwood became a strong supporter of protecting nature. This is called being a "conservationist." In 1926, he was even chosen to be part of the Michigan Conservation Commission. Sadly, he passed away a year later, on August 13, 1927, at the age of 49.
In his will, James Curwood gave his beloved castle to the City of Owosso. Over the years, Curwood Castle has been used for different things. Now, it is a museum run by the city. You can visit the museum from April through December, Tuesday through Sunday, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The castle closes for the winter from January 1st through February and reopens in March.
The Curwood Festival
Every year, the City of Owosso hosts the Curwood Festival. This fun event takes place on the first full weekend in June. The festival is run by volunteers and celebrates the life and amazing stories of James Oliver Curwood.
Curwood Castle is closed on Mondays and on certain holidays. These holidays include Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. It is also closed during January and February.
What Does Curwood Castle Look Like?
Curwood Castle looks like a romantic, old-fashioned French castle. It has an interesting shape with tall, pointed towers at three of its corners. The roof is covered with slate tiles and has chimneys that are connected at the bottom.
The outside of the castle is made of yellow stucco. It also has decorative fieldstones mixed in, which are natural stones that James Curwood picked out himself! The main entrance is at the front of the castle. It is framed with fieldstones and has a small roof sticking out over it.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Curwood para niños
