The Castle (Atlanta) facts for kids
The Castle, also known as Fort Peace, is a historic building in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia. It used to be the home of a rich businessman named Ferdinand McMillan (1844–1920), who supplied goods for farms. You can find it at 87 15th Street NW, right next to the High Museum of Art. After McMillan passed away, The Castle became a hub for Atlanta's art scene for many years. In 1989, the city officially recognized The Castle as an important landmark.
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The Golden Horne Espresso Cafe
From 1958 to 1960, a special place called the Golden Horne Espresso Cafe opened inside The Castle. It was created by James Henry Lukshus, who later became a famous artist and fashion designer known as Tzaims Luksus. His cafe was in the Castle's carriage room on the ground floor, and he lived in a studio right above it.
The Golden Horne Cafe was very unique. In 1959, the Atlanta Journal newspaper even featured it, showing James playing his Lute. It was the first espresso cafe in Atlanta and quickly became well-known, even internationally.
A Gathering Place for Artists
Many famous people visited the Golden Horne Cafe. The well-known opera singer Leontine Price from the Metropolitan Opera dined there in 1959 when her opera company was performing at the Fox Theater (Atlanta). The writer James Dickey loved to hold his poetry readings there. Many important people in Atlanta enjoyed visiting this cafe for a cup of espresso, which was a new and exciting drink compared to regular coffee, even though it cost more.
The cafe had a medieval style, but it was a first-class spot for artists, writers, students, and professors. It was a secret gem, known only by word-of-mouth, without any advertisements. It was the perfect place to go after a symphony concert or an opera for a late-night treat, like their famous rum cake, strawberry cheesecake, or French cheese.
Professors from Emory University often held their philosophy and psychology discussions at the long tables. Art professors from the art institute across the street also used the Golden Horne for art history talks and life drawing classes.
Music and Performances
James Lukshus welcomed musicians, both famous and new, to perform. He himself would often play his Lute and sing old English and French songs several times each evening. When Leontine Price and her group visited, she even asked James to sing for her.
James managed the Golden Horne Cafe with great care and style, much like the best cafes in Paris. It was a special time for Atlanta, and the Golden Horne was considered Atlanta's own "Cafe de la Paix," a famous cafe in Paris.
Recent History
In August 2010, The Castle was sold to Mike Latham, an artist and architect from New York. At that time, his plans for the building were not clear. By 2014, it had transformed into Atlanta's first "pop-up living room bar" and a place for music.
The Castle was put up for auction in early 2020. In December 2020, The Simpson Organization, Inc., a real estate company in Midtown Atlanta, placed the winning bid of $3,225,000.
