Mystery Castle

Phoenix, Arizona

The story of Boyce Luther Gulley's castle is simply but poignantly told in the brochure that is given out on the tour:

MYSTERY CASTLE

A long time ago in the future...

The reality of dying was thrust upon him in his prime. Choosing not to live a life of quiet desperation awaiting the end, he ran away from home, his family and friends. Those were sad but wondrous times of soul searching and physical creativity. In his heart was permanently etched the vision of those precious moments in time when he and his little girl, Mary Lou, built sand castles in the beach in Seattle, Washington. How she would cry when the tide washed them away. "Please, Daddy, build me a big and strong castle someday that I can live in. Maybe you ought to build it in the desert where there is no water." He would smile and wonder perhaps it was not a coincidence that he migrated to Arizona, where he gradually regained his health. So he built her a native stone castle: eighteen rooms, thirteen fireplaces, parapets and many charming nooks and crannies, then furnished it with southwestern antiques. The "King" died in 1945, before he could send for his family. The little girl, now a middle-aged "princess," dwells in her "sand" castle, and is living the last fairy tale.

Wagon wheels are included in the "found" building materials.

Every square foot of the castle has something to look at.

Circular staircase -- no handrail!

Note the use of native river rock in the construction of this fireplace.

Cozy nook.

The ceiling of the "Levi Room" -- somewhere in this room is a pair of jeans given to Mary Lou by John Wayne!

A corner of the basement bar is reserved from those who go "From Beer To Eternity"!

Mary Lou Gulley is not a little girl anymore, but still lives in her castle.

Directions: 800 E. Mineral Road. From Baseline Road, take 7th Street 2 miles south. Just before 7th Street ends at the boundary of South Mountain Park, turn left (east) on Mineral Road and follow it to the castle entrance. A small fee is charged to tour the house. At the time of this writing (March 2009), tour hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October through May. Call (602) 268-1581 for more information.

Last visited: March 2009.

Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.