Shea's Castle facts for kids
Shea's Castle, also known as Sky Castle or Castle Ranch, is a private castle built in 1924. It was originally called "The Painted Rocks, Shea's Lodge." A developer named Richard Peter Shea built this amazing home. He moved from New York City to the sunny, dry climate of Southern California hoping it would help his wife, Ellen, feel better.
Richard Shea became wealthy by developing an area called Hancock Park in Los Angeles. He spent two years building the castle. It has 8 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms! The castle is made of strong, solid granite. It sits on about 1,500 acres (which is about 6 square kilometers) of land. This land is in the Antelope Valley, near Lancaster and the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve.
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What Happened to the Castle's Builder?
Richard Shea faced tough times after the Stock Market Crash of 1929. He lost his money, and the bank took over the castle. Sadly, his wife passed away, and he also died.
Who Lived in Shea's Castle After Richard Shea?
Many different people have owned or rented Shea's Castle since Richard Shea.
- Thomas Stewart Lee, whose family owned the California-based Don Lee Network, once lived there.
- Even Roy Rogers' famous horse, Trigger, was trained on the property!
- Later, a group focused on aviation (flying) added a runway, a dam, and a lake to the property.
Has the Castle Changed Much Over Time?
Even though there have been many plans to develop the land around the castle, it still looks mostly the same today. The property has ancient pictographs (rock drawings) and natural springs.
Shea's Castle in Movies and TV Shows
Shea's Castle has been a filming location for many movies and TV shows!
- Blood of Dracula's Castle (1967)
- Alive or Dead (2008)
- Babylon (2022)
- Airwolf
- Bat Masterson
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 5, Episode 1)
- Harry O
- The Rat Patrol
- Starsky & Hutch
Today, Shea's Castle is a private home.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Shea para niños
