Like all kids dream of building a sandcastle and living in it, Mary Lou dreamed of it too. Her father, Boyce Lutter Gully, brought her fantasy to life by building a life-size castle called “The Mystery Castle.” Located in the desert of Arizona, the castle, made of love and other materials, stands tall to this day. Although it’s a tourist attraction and one of the most important landmarks in Arizona today, it was once a gift from a dying father to his daughter.
Legacy Of Love
In 1920 Gully received a diagnosis of tuberculosis. Knowing that living in a climate could potentially alleviate the symptoms of the illness he faced the choice of parting ways with his wife and daughter. He decided to move to the Arizona desert, where he awaited his demise.
While in the desert Gully spent his days longing for his daughter, who was unaware of his deteriorating health. He cherished memories of their time together on the beach when she expressed her desire to live in a sandcastle. Determined to fulfill her childhood dream, Gully spent the rest of his life constructing a castle for his beloved daughter.
The construction of the castle spanned several years, and by the time it was completed, 15 years had passed by. After it was finally complete, Gully decided to surprise his wife and daughter with the finished sandcastle. Tragically, he passed away before they could reach him. Upon their arrival, they were stunned by the sight of this remarkable structure, meticulously crafted from an eclectic mix of materials.
His wife and daughter chose to honor Gully’s memory by residing in the castle he had lovingly built. They shared the story of his heartwarming gesture with the world, ensuring that his beautiful surprise would be remembered for generations to come.
The Castle Made of Love and Junk
The castle, measuring 8000 sq. ft. stands alone on the outskirts of Phoenix. Constructed from scrap materials found on-site or bought cheaply, it is a strange amalgamation of stone, driftwood, car parts, remnants of old phone poles, and railroad tracks. However, the most unusual detail is the method used to hold the walls together – a mixture of sand, water, and goat’s milk.
Like any other castle, it includes eighteen rooms, thirteen fireplaces, a dungeon, and a wedding chapel. Inside, the design is an eclectic blend of folk art, antique ornaments, and whimsical cat decor.
The interior surprises continue with a slide-away bed in one of the rooms, that glides along railroad tracks into storage when not in use and detached kitchen cabinets reminiscent of an island kitchen. The living room features Frank Lloyd Wright‘s iconic orange sofa, complemented by an impressive collection of eclectic artworks.
Guests are greeted by the skeleton of a cactus in one of the bedrooms, which is believed to have been built around a living cactus. The castle’s construction is as unconventional as its design, with wheel rims serving as windows, coloured glass bottles wedged between stones, and a ceiling crafted from old boxcars. Surrounding the property are life-size metal statues and glass paintings mounted on the walls.
Although electricity wasn’t brought to the castle until 1960, it had built-in conduits throughout the property. It even incorporates elements of nature, with an oriel window framed by ovular river rocks and raised platforms and niches made from various rocks for displaying collectables. Semi-precious stones, hand-painted tiles, and gold nuggets add a touch of grandeur to the building.
Preservation of Mystery Castle
In 1948, the castle gained widespread recognition when it was featured in an article titled “Life Visits a Mystery Castle” in Life magazine. This exposure brought a huge amount of attention and admiration to the unique structure. Following that, Mary Lou, the daughter, began charging visitors for entry to the castle due to an overwhelming demand. This led to the long-standing title “Mystery Castle”
Mary Lou and her mother decided to stay in the castle, cherishing the beautiful gift from their beloved Gully. Their connection to the castle remained unbreakable throughout the years. In 2010, before Mary Lou’s passing, she created The Mystery Castle Historical Foundation, an 501(c)(3) organisation, with the purpose of preservation and maintenance of the castle for future generations.
This legacy stands as a tribute to the immeasurable power of love and human determination. Indeed, the castle serves as a powerful reminder of how even in the face of difficult times, Gully’s passionate love for his daughter kept him motivated, allowing him to push through his worst health conditions. For 15 years, he remained persistent in his commitment to completing the house for his beloved daughter, showcasing the power of the human mind.
Citations:
Lerner, S. (2022) Mystery castle: Here’s why the phoenix landmark was built and what you can see inside, The Arizona Republic. Available at: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/life/2021/12/11/phoenix-mystery-castle-what-to-know/6437347001/ (Accessed: 11 February 2024).
Bujan, B. (2020) The history behind the Mystery Castle, a whimsical sandcastle come to life in the Arizona Desert, Roadtrippers. Available at: https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/mystery-castle-phoenix/ (Accessed: 11 February 2024).
Vinson, M. (2019) Mystery castle, SAH ARCHIPEDIA. Available at: https://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/AZ-01-013-0053 (Accessed: 11 February 2024).
Staff, K. (2016a) ‘mystery castle’: A story of love, family and Arizona Beauty | …, 12news. Available at: https://www.12news.com/article/news/special-reports/great-arizona-stories/mystery-castle-a-story-of-love-family-and-arizona-beauty/75-340543270 (Accessed: 11 February 2024).
