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An Enchanted Getaway to Castle Farms in Charlevoix, Michigan

Last Updated on April 9, 2022

If you find yourself in Charlevoix – or Northern Michigan at that, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the renowned and beautiful Castle Farms. This historical attraction will take you back in time as you wander the breathtaking grounds and explore throughout the castle. You may even find Castle Farms to be the perfect spot to hold your special event or wedding, as the grounds can host up to five events in one evening!  

*Scroll to the end for my own personal story of why I LOVE Castle Farms!

Where is castle farms and how do i get there.

Castle Farms is located just a few miles south of downtown Charlevoix in Northern Michigan.

The easiest way to get to the castle is by a personal vehicle (or your fairy godmother’s pumpkin carriage). It  is  possible to travel here via public transportation, though it won’t be easy and it won’t be cheap. If you do not have a car or are traveling to Michigan without one, I highly suggest renting a car or using a service like  Turo  (think Airbnb for cars). 

How should I prepare for my visit?

Make sure to check  Castle Farms Event Calendar  prior to your visit to see what the hours are (you’ll have to click on “Buy tickets” to see the specific hours open for tours). Sometimes, especially on weekends, Castle Farms will close its doors to the public to provide exclusive service to their private event guests. 

The tour includes indoor and outdoor attractions, so prepare for Michigan weather (i.e. snow, rain, sun, hot, cold…all in one day!). The best time to visit is between late spring and early fall, when all of Castle Farms attractions should be open (yet still weather permitting).  

Yes , Castle Farms is definitely the perfect “Instagrammable” spot for young adults. Though, note that this is mainly a walking tour and attraction – plan to wear comfortable walking shoes (or bring a pair to change into between your photo ops).  

How much does it cost to visit Castle Farms?

Prices to visit the castle can slightly fluctuate throughout the year, but plan on paying around $10 per person for a self-guided tour.  

What is there to do at Castle Farms? 

Plan on spending around 2-3 hours (if not more) at Castle Farms. There is  so much  to see and do.  

Upon arrival to the castle, head to the welcome center and gift shop where you can purchase tickets for a self-guided tour. Either take time to browse the gift shop at this time, or wait until the end of your tour. 

In addition to your self-guided tour, Castle Farms offers a tram tour of the grounds that is included in your ticket price. When purchasing your tickets, make sure to ask if the tour is running (as it is weather permitting) and what time it starts (typically about two tours per day). Even if you have walked around the grounds, this tour is very interesting and educational. 

As mentioned before, Castle Farms serves as a venue for weddings and events. Even if events are not going on at the time, it’s so much fun to walk through each event space (maybe this is just exhilarating for me as an event planner…). 

Tour Activities

In addition to the five large event spaces, these are other things you will see or experience on your tour:

• Introduction video of Castle Farms
• Access to walk and roam through the castle
• Outdoor model railroad (with over 2,500 feet of track weaving through the gardens – that makes it the largest model railroad in Michigan!)
• A fun alphabet garden accompanied by a plant of that same letter
• A blacksmith shop converted into a WWI museum
• Royal wedding memorabilia 
• A dragon from ArtPrize
• A birch tree forest
• A “growing” Castle Farms orchards
• Breathtaking gardens 
• 1918 Cellars (a wine tasting room and bistro)
• Gift shop 

See the map below for more details of what you’ll see on your Castle Farms Tour.

Castle Farms Events

Make sure to check out all of the  upcoming events at Castle Farms  that are open to the public! The castle offers a wide variety of events to attract visitors of any age. Some events include wedding expos, wine & yoga, Santa’s workshop, paint & sip, farm-to-table dinner tours,  

Cliff Notes Version of the History of Castle Farms

Once upon a time in the faraway land of Northern Michigan, the president of Sears & Roebuck, Albert Loeb, decided to build a dairy farm in the quaint town of Charlevoix in 1918. He modeled it to look like the stunning architecture found in Normandy, France and named it Loeb Farms.

Nearly 45 years later, John VanHaver purchased the castle and turned it into an artist’s haven. Castle Farms was now a gallery for people to view his artwork, grab a coffee and be inspired by the beautiful grounds. He even dedicated a spot for artists to design metalwork.

This only lasted a few years before Arthur (Art) and Edwina Reibel took over the castle and turned it into Castle Farms Summer Music Theater. Many popular artists came to perform at Castle Farms for nearly 20 years. 

Insider’s Secret… shhh

*A little insider’s secret… Art’s presence can still be found in the castle today. As a former employee of Castle Farms, I’ve had the pleasure (and maybe fright) of meeting Mr. Art Reibel himself through strange and eerie experiences in the castle.  (Message me if you want all the ghostly deets!)

According to a news article in the Battle Creek Enquirer announcing Art’s death in the Castle in 1999, the local police chief, Denny Halverson, described Art as, “He was definitely a colorful sort in the community. We weren’t sure where or how he was going to show up next”. He would be happy to know, I’m sure, that his mysterious and free-spirited legacy still lives on today.  

After the passing of Art Reibel, the current owner, Linda Mueller, purchased and restored the castle in 2001. Today, Castle Farms is an exquisite venue for weddings, events, and tours. Recently, the castle added a wine cellar and bistro offering their very own selection of Castle Farms wine and tasty bites to try on your visit.

Why I love Castle Farms 

Early-Life Crisis

It was back in 2010, I had just barely made it through the first month of being a freshman at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I was doing horrible in my science classes that I needed to pass to become a physical therapist, and knew it was time for me consider changing my major. 

This same week that I realized I needed to shift my life goals, I had plans to go up to Northern Michigan with my parents to celebrate my mom’s birthday. I told my parents the news on the car ride up north, and found myself in tears trying to figure out what to do with my life. I had always wanted to do something more creative, but the only major I could think of was Art – which I found didn’t have too many career options. 

My first visit to the Castle

Fast-forward a few days. My parents and I had heard about this historical attraction called Castle Farms in Charlevoix, MI. As we drove up to the castle, I was not only in awe of the stunning architecture in front of me, but felt a shift in energy. My worries about my major just disappeared. I felt hopeful for the first time in weeks.

We paid our entrance fee for our self-guided tour and then made our way into the castle. My feelings that flooded over me were indescribable, but I knew this place just felt right – it was exactly where I needed to be at that moment. We spent hours wandering around the castle and the gorgeous grounds. 

My Ah-Hah Moment

Midway through our tour, a small group of people walked past us, led by someone holding a clipboard and telling the guests about the space, how many people they could fit in the room she was showing, and explaining a brief timeline for their event. Right then, it  clicked ! This was my  ah-hah  moment! This girl was a real-life event planner. Up until this point, I had for some reason thought that job was just a glamourous made-up Hollywood job that was only in movies, like  The Wedding Planner . I was going to be a wedding planner and hopefully work for Castle Farms one day! 

Future J-Lo over here

These were pre-iPhone times for me, so I remember running back to our van after our visit to search through the booklet of majors/courses offered at GVSU to see if they had any sort of major that would allow me to be a wedding planner. This day was getting even better! GVSU offered a 4-year Hospitality & Tourism Management program that I could choose an emphasis to specialize in – one of which being Meeting & Event Management!

As silly as it sounds, my visit to Castle Farms was really a major turning point in my life. It led me to a new major, a memorable summer internship at Castle Farms, and an amazing career in the events industry. Although my interests within the events industry shifted a little, I still give Castle Farms credit for getting me to where I am today. 

Military Spouse Travel Tip!

Be sure to ask for a military discount for your Castle Farms tour, as well as at other places in Charlevoix or Northern Michigan. Many local shops do not offer a military discount, but oftentimes they will give you a friends and family discount instead. 

While you’re in Northern Michigan…

Be sure to visit harbor springs.

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Exploring the Rich Heritage of Castle Farms in Charlevoix MI

Like most Michiganders, I grew up thinking castles only existed in faraway countries and fairy tales until I saw a photo in a magazine my grandmother was reading. I’ve been dreaming and pleading with my family for years to take me to “The Castle.”

Over the long holiday weekend, my persistence finally paid off as my family agreed to spend the afternoon at Castle Farms in Charlevoix under one condition: we attended the Royal Craft Show.

This was definitely not my idea of how to spend summer’s last hurrah, but I figured I could sneak away from the crafts for a quick tour of the grounds.

I was blown away upon entering the grounds at 5052 M-66 North, Charlevoix, MI. The pictures I’d seen of the buildings and grounds did not begin to do the scene justice.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 8th, 2013. It has been edited and updated for accuracy.

Exploring the History of Castle Farms

While frequently visited yet today, this historic venue has a rich history in Northern Michigan. From a working dairy farm to a unique venue for weddings, meetings, and special events, this Michigan castle has served many different purposes over the past 100+ years.

Originally built in 1918 by Albert Loeb, the acting president of Sears, Roebuck, and Company, it’s difficult to imagine the castle was a functioning model dairy farm for 9 years. Loeb built the farm to showcase the newest innovations in farming equipment available through the Sears and Roebuck catalog.

Loeb commissioned European craftsmen and local men to fashion this Northern Michigan castle with local field stone to resemble the majestic stone towers that were common on barns and castles in Normandy France. Its gardens were also intended to reflect the extensive gardens of European castles.

The farm was also open to the public one day a week where they could purchase the farms cheese and ice cream. If visitors were lucky, they’d have a chance to root for The Sodbusters, Loeb Farm’s baseball team.

The farm was closed in 1927 due agricultural recession and the beginning of the Great Depression. For the following 30 years, space on the farm was rented out to provide local Michiganders with extra storage.

Castle VanHaver

The beautiful stone walls drew the eye of a man from Muskegon, Michigan, in the 1960s. John VanHaver was a gifted sculptor and artist with training in metal casting and metallurgy.

VanHaver hoped to save the property by turning it into a Renaissance-themed haven for artists. He renamed the property Castle VanHaver and began renovations. Castle VanHaver’s renovations required more than three years of labor of love.

The huge Romanesque arch and portcullis at the King’s Courtyard Gallery Doorway are examples of VanHaver’s own Renaissance flourishes that he added along the way. A portion of the old horse barn was transformed into a foundry for creating unique cast aluminum artwork.

On July 2, 1966, John VanHaver reopened the farm to the public as an art gallery as well as working artist studios. The grounds also housed a gift shop and a coffee shop open to visitors.

Castle Farms Summer Music Theater

The farm was sold again in 1969 and renamed Castle Farms under the ownership of Arthur and Erdwina Reibel. The couple had a variety of ideas for the space such as an arts center and a tavern but eventually settled on a music theater for summer concerts.

While wandering the hallways from one area of the craft show to the next, my grandfather pointed out some of the old concert posters hanging on the wall.

Some of the greatest musicians of the time showed at Castle Farms from 1976 to 1993 including Metallica, The Beach Boys, Bon Jovi. Ozzy Osbourne, and Aerosmith. This time period was known as “Rock ‘n’ Roll Central” for Castle Farms.

After perusing the posters, my grandfather recalled that my uncle used to travel from the Upper Peninsula with his friends to see shows at Castle Farms. This was a particularly touching moment for me as my uncle passed away when I was young. It was great to experience something that was important to him so many years ago!

The property went up for auction in 1999 when Mr. Reibel passed away.

Castle Farms: Wedding Destination, Event Venue, Historical Tours

Linda Mueller purchased the farm in 2001 with a vision to restore the castle to its Renaissance style and preserve the farm for many generations to come. The restoration process was quite intensive and took approximately four years to come to fruition.

The property is now open year-round for weddings, receptions, festivals, corporate events, and social events. It is also listed on the National and State historic registries and is open year-round for tours.

We learned quite a bit on our self-guided tour thanks to an information package we received when arriving as well my trusty friend Google.

Exploring the Grounds of Castle Farms

After our mini history lesson, we decided to venture outside for a look at the courtyards and try our hand at a game of giant chess. Bocce ball, lawn bowling, and croquet are also available for group tours. The property boasts 18 extensive gardens and four courtyards.

Garden Railroad

My favorite part of the property was the Garden Railroad which opened in 2008 and is one of the largest outdoor model railroad layouts in Michigan.

The lines feature over 55 trains that run along over 2,000 feet of track. The railroad lines run overhead along hedge lines as well as close to visitors’ feet and under the bushes.

The grade transports guests back to a time when industry heavily relied on railroads and steam cars. Castle guests are able to get a grand view of the layout and trains from grand observation tours.

Garden Railroad was filled with children squealing and running to follow trains. It was definitely the liveliest part of my afternoon. The garden is open from May through October weather permitting.

Enchanted Forest

The Enchanted Forest was another favorite garden of mine. The forest includes a wandering path through a wooded area through a dragon’s lair and over the troll bridge.

The family-friendly path was complete with figures of forest inhabitants, such as rabbits, squirrels, and a moose, frolicking in the brush.

Queen’s Tower Garden

We ended our afternoon walk in the Queen’s Tower Garden where a wedding rehearsal was taking place. With the beautiful brick way, towering stone walls, and graceful arches it was easy to imagine an intimate, romantic garden ceremony.

We also stole a quick look indoors to see the wedding planners setting up the reception area in the King’s Great Hall.

Castle Gardens is one of the most unique wedding venues in Michigan and offers free year-round bridal tours as well as assistance in planning and perfecting any wedding imagined.

Planning to Visit Castle Farms Again

As the sun began to set over Charlevoix County, I found myself wishing for a reason to stay at Castle Gardens. I wanted to see the grounds all lit up at night and even considered crashing a wedding, but my grandparents weren’t too keen on the idea.

I guess I’ll just have to continue to look for another excuse to visit. It definitely exceeded all my expectations of Northern Michigan’s Fairy Tale Castle and I cannot wait until my next trip.

Do me a favor: do NOT take my account of my visit or the pictures as good enough. Please, please please visit Castle Farms for yourself to see where old-world charm meets modern-day elegance in our beautiful Mitten State.

More Photos of Castle Farms

One Comment

There’s a dark side to this fairy tale via the Loeb’s son, Richard Loeb, who tried to commit the “perfect murder.” He and Leopold succeeded at the murder part, but not the getting away with it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_and_Loeb

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Tour Castle Farms in Charlevoix-Fight Fire Breathing Dragons, Ride the Tram, Enjoy the Botanical Gardens!

By Sherry Trautman

Castle Farms, Charlevoix Michigan | By Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com

Want to tour a REAL CASTLE?

Castle Farm, located in beautiful Charlevoix , Michigan offers marvelous adventures only for the brave!!  Embark on adventurous self-guided tours of the castle, gallantly ride the tram across vast lands, vanquish the fire breathing dragon and fearlessly explore your way across the castle's magnificent gardens. 

However, if love is your quest, Castle Farms is a great place to woo your lass and profess your undying love as Castle Farms is a fantastic wedding venue in Charlevoix. 

Are you up for the challenge?   First you'll need to pass the larger than life knight guarding the entrance to the castle.

Where is Castle Farms in Charlevoix?

Castle Farms is located just south of Carlevoix! 

Address: 5052 M-66, Charlevoix, MI 49720

Parking is free. No pets allowed.

History of Castle Farms

This beautiful castle was built in 1918 and was once a model dairy farm.  A few years later it became an art gallery for working artist studios.  The castle was sold once again and was a hot spot for huge concerts featuring Tina Turner, Aerosmith and many other rockers.  The castle is now a beautiful botanical garden, wedding venue and outstanding historical place to tour.

Upon arrival, you will find a treasure map with 33 hidden spots to find throughout the gardens and the castle.  Plan on spending at least 2 hours exploring this magnificent place!

Be sure to visit the Dragon's Lair after you circle the gazebo and pond.  BUT, be careful as he takes his job very seriously as the guardian of the castle!

Tram tours are offered about 3 times a day Monday-Friday and twice on Saturday so it's best to call ahead or check their website so you don't miss this awesome tour!  The tram slowly circles the property and offers lots of fantastic information about the famous history of Castle Farms.  

Tours are 20 minutes long and are included with the cost of your admission ticket.

Enjoy wine tasting fit for a King or Queen!  Castle Farms also has Michigan’s largest outdoor model railroad!  The tiny rail cars zip along the tracks and disappear into a hedge maze, so its super fun to wander the maze while watching the tracks for the next train! 

Take time to discover the memorabilia in each of the open rooms.  Many rooms have a video playing explaining the highlights of each room.

And now I must bid you farewell my fellow knights and ladies!  I leave you with this final photo and hope you fearlessly vanquish all your dragons in your dreams tonight! 

For My Castle Lovers!

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View this post on Instagram SUNFLOWERS!! This glorious field goes on forever! We were giddy to discover it while touring beautiful Sutton's Bay near Traverse City, Michigan. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I climbed up on a ladder to get an awesome birds-eye view! What splendor!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #explore #sunflowers #sunflowerfields #suttonsbay #suttonsbaymi #suttonsbaymichigan #traversecitytourism #traversecity #traversecitymi #traversecitymichigan #Michigan #puremichigan #michigantravel #greatlakesstate #michiganstate #travelingmichigan #greatlakesstateofmind #puremittenpride #michiganders #exploremichigan #puremittigan #northernmichigan #greatlakesstate #greatlakesstateofmind #greatlakeslocals ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #michiganders #onlyinmichigan #puremitten #naturalmitten #thegreatlakesstate A post shared by Michigan Travel+Food Adventure (@travelingmichigan) on Aug 7, 2019 at 5:01am PDT

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Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander, Sherry's journey began in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan led her to St. Joseph during her formative years, and further to Kalamazoo for her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and Fine Art from Western Michigan University. Her career initially blossomed in Battle Creek, where she contributed significantly to aviation, marketing, and the art industry. In 2018, Sherry, alongside her husband Chris, embarked on a passionate endeavor with the inception of Travel-MI.com. This venture was not just a business but a full-time commitment to exploring and celebrating the diverse landscapes and communities of Michigan. Together, they tirelessly traverse the state, curating unique experiences, capturing stunning visuals, and weaving engaging narratives that showcase Michigan's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. From her early experiences in different Michigander locales to her extensive professional background, Sherry's life and work epitomize a deep-rooted expertise in Michigan travel, making her an authoritative voice in this niche.

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• Model Railroad

World War 1 Museum

Gardens & grounds, private collections.

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Castle Farms is one of Northern Michigan’s hidden gems, and we’d love for you to discover it! While visiting, you can experience:

• Outdoor model railroad with over 2,000ft of track (Memorial Day through mid-October, weather permitting)
• World War I Museum full of photos, documents and toys from the Great War era
• Sears & Roebuck Museum featuring all sorts of items available in their 1918 catalog
• Private collections including royal, wedding, concert era, antique toys and other memorabilia
• Extensive gardens and paths with countless photo opportunities
• Enchanted forest (Mid May-October)
• Birch Lake and Reflection Pond
• Giant dragon and knight statues
• Narrated tram rides (June-Mid October, weather permitting)
• Historic video introduction
• Scavenger hunt
• Over 100 years of history to share

Outdoor Model Railroad

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Castle Farms, located in Charlevoix, was built in 1918. To visit Castle Farms today is a walk through northern Michigan history.

Photo provided by Castle Farms

The storied history of Charlevoix’s Castle Farms

Metro | Published April 24, 2024

The castle was built not as a home but as a working model dairy farm and a place to showcase the latest advances in farm equipment. Pictured here is cow auction held on the grounds.

By Greg Tasker

CHARLEVOIX — When most people think of northern Michigan, images of Renaissance-style castles don’t readily spring to mind.

Yet, such a castle, one with a storied history and ties to state and national memories, stands outside Charlevoix, tucked among the expansive farms, orchards, lakes and small towns of this inviting patch of northern Michigan.

Its existence perplexed me for years. Until a recent visit, I knew nothing about this castle, now called Castle Farms, except that it was a wedding venue. It turns out that Castle Farms is so much more and well worth a visit.

Built in 1918, the castle, after years of being abandoned, was restored by its current owner, Linda Mueller, who purchased the property with her late husband, Richard, in 2001. Since then, gardens have been replanted or added, along with other amenities, including a miniature railroad and wine bistro. More recently, a cluster of barns were revamped into Hungry Ducks Farm, a petting farm for children and families.

To visit Castle Farms today is to walk through eras of history, from the early decades of the last century to the present. Stories from its past incarnations are as plentiful as the maple and oak trees in nearby forests.

The man behind the castle was Albert Loeb, acting president of Sears, Roebuck and Company. He had an affinity for the architecture of Renaissance castles and the stone farms of Normandy, France. The castle was built not as a home but as a working model dairy farm, a place to showcase the latest advances in farm equipment, all available through the Sears catalog, the Amazon of its day.

This was a big dairy farm, part of an 1,800-acre tract that included a private home for the Loeb family. Loeb Farms boasted the most modern milking machinery and was home to 200 head of Holstein-Friesian cows. The star producer was Marion, who was milked six times a day. She consistently set records in milk production and in one banner year — 1922 — produced 35,000 pounds of milk (well above the average 25,000 pounds) and made headlines.

The cows lived a good life. They were housed in two wings — now known as the East and West Garden rooms, replicated during the restoration. They grazed in a courtyard between the wings and elsewhere on the farm. Instead of the normal whitewash, the barn walls were covered in tile lining and the floor was paved. The barns were hosed down regularly.

“The milking barns were so clean you could eat off the floor,” says Jessica Anderson, who is director of guest services at Castle Farms and made the time to walk me through the property and share many stories of its past.

At its peak, Loeb Farms was the largest employer in the Charlevoix region, with more than 90 people among its daily work force, Anderson says. The farm also boasted a semi-professional baseball team, the Sodbusters, who played on a field north of the barn complex.

“In the evening, during wedding rehearsal dinners, our staff regularly hear the crack of a baseball and bat from the ball diamond,” Anderson says, adding a haunted tour planned for the fall will share more ghost stories from Castle Farms.

Unfortunately, the farm closed in 1927, a few years after Loeb’s death and a family tragedy. Many visitors have some knowledge of the family’s connection to a notorious Chicago murder. Anderson is well prepared to answer those questions and share what she knows. One of Loeb’s sons, Richard Loeb, was convicted, in 1924, of the kidnapping and murder of a 14-year-old boy. The murder garnered national headlines. Lawyer Clarence Darrow represented the young Loeb and his crime partner in court — just before the famed Scopes “Monkey” Trial.

Decades later, the large empty stone walls caught the artistic eye of John VanHaver, a Muskegon businessman. He was also an artist and sculptor with a background in metallurgy and metal casting.

His dream? An artists’ mecca with a Renaissance theme. He purchased 100 acres of the original Loeb property, including the barns, office, blacksmith shop and manager’s house, and renamed the site Castle VanHaver. He opened the grounds to the public. Visitors could browse art but also have a cup of coffee and snacks in the Queen’s Courtyard.

Unfortunately, financial difficulties forced VanHaven to sell the property in 1969.

New owners, Arthur and Erwina Reibel, came along, initially envisioning the farm as a riding academy. Their plans, however, evolved to include an outdoor concert venue. A 50-foot wide, covered concrete steel stage was constructed and two wings (where the cows once lived) were removed to accommodate larger crowds and reserved seating.

Consider Castle Farms the Pine Knob of the north. Just about every major recording act in the late 1970s through the early 1990s rocked the stage here. That roster includes Bob Seger, the Doobie Brothers, Heart, Def Leppard, KISS, Iron Maiden, Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, Tina Turner and Bob Dylan, and many more.

The music is long gone but stories linger. Aerosmith reportedly had a water fight in the artesian well in the Queen’s Courtyard. Bon Jovi carved his name in a stone in a room that now serves as a changing room for wedding couples. Ozzie Osburn is remembered as a Dracula figurine in one of Mueller’s miniature collections.

The property went up for sale — again — in 1999.

Thanks to Mueller, the castle we are able to visit today has been restored — its crumbling fieldstone walls and windows repaired, along with other buildings on the property, now just 37 acres.

Castle Farms celebrated its centennial in 2018 and opened a winery, 1918 Cellars, named after the year in which the castle was founded. The winery is temporarily closed (expected to reopen by November). It’s an inviting place to linger after a tour and ponder the history of this unusual structure and its many incarnations.

It’s a treat to walk through the castle, to hear interesting stories here and there, and to muse over the vast collection Mueller has amassed. The 1918 Museum, for instance, honors not only World War I but includes a collection of products Sears sold, complete with the original advertising. There’s a barrel-shaped washing machine for $7.95. A 1918 bicycle with wooden wheels — a luxury then — priced at $28.95. Her collection includes wedding cake toppers, not common in 1918 but something Sears eventually mass produced and helped popularize.

Castle Farms

5052 M-66 Charlevoix, MI 49720 (231) 237-0884 [email protected]

Self-guided and guided tours available; guided tours are two hours and include a Tram Tour of the property (in season). Hours vary: Currently, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Hours are extended in the summer months.

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