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 unique building that looks like a small castle. It is located in Owosso, Michigan. A famous author named James Oliver Curwood built it. Today, it is a museum where you can learn about his life and work.
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History of Curwood Castle
James Curwood was born in Owosso, Michigan, in 1878. He loved spending time outdoors. He even traveled around the South on a bicycle when he was young! Later, he studied at the University of Michigan. After that, he worked as a reporter and editor in Detroit.
In 1907, Curwood returned to Owosso to focus on writing books. He published his first novel the next year.
Building the Castle
In 1923, Curwood started building this special castle. It looks like a Norman chateau, which is a type of French castle. He built it along the Shiawassee River in Owosso, near his mother's home. The castle was finished in 1924.
James Curwood used the castle as his private writing studio and office. He lived with his family on the other side of the river.
Curwood's Legacy
Curwood became very passionate about protecting nature. He was even appointed to the Michigan Conservation Commission in 1926. This group helps protect Michigan's natural resources.
Sadly, James Curwood died a year later, in 1927, when he was only 49 years old. In his will, he gave Curwood Castle to the City of Owosso.
The Castle Today
Over the years, Curwood Castle has been used for different things. Now, it is a museum run by the city. It is open to the public from April through December. You can visit from Tuesday to Sunday, between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
The castle closes for the winter from January 1st through February. It reopens in March. It is also closed on Mondays and some holidays like Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Each year, the city of Owosso hosts the Curwood Festival. This festival happens on the first full weekend in June. It is a non-profit event run by volunteers. The festival celebrates the life and works of James Oliver Curwood.
What Curwood Castle Looks Like
Curwood Castle is designed to look like a romantic Norman chateau. It has an unusual shape with tall, pointed towers (called spires) at three corners. The roof is made of slate and has chimneys coming out of the back.
The outside of the castle is covered in yellow stucco. Stucco is a type of plaster used on walls. It also has decorative fieldstones mixed in. James Curwood picked out these stones himself!
The front of the castle has an entrance framed with fieldstones. This entrance is located between two of the spires and has a small roof over it.
Images for kids
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Curwood Castle
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Curwood para niños
