Mystery Castle – Phoenix, Arizona

Mystery Castle – Phoenix, Arizona
Come and tour the Point of Pride of the city of Phoenix!  The Mystery Castle was built by Boyce Luther Gulley who moved to Arizona when he learned that he has tuberculosis in 1930 and began building his castle for his daughter that he had left behind, with his wife, when he moved in 1930.

The house is built from found or inexpensive materials, held together by a combination of mortar, cement, calcium, and goat milk, the sprawling 18-room, three story castle is built from a wide range of materials—stone, adobe, automobile parts, salvaged rail tracks from a mine, telephone poles, etc. It features a chapel, cantina, and a dungeon. Parts of the castle remain unfinished, and electricity and plumbing weren’t added until 1992.  There are 13 fireplaces in the house and interesting furnishings from people such as Frank Lloyd Write, John Wayne, Barry Goldwater are some of those that have given furnishings to the house.

Gulley’s daughter, Mary Lou, has lived in the house for years, right after her father died and she and her mother were notified of his death and the fact they had inherited the castle they moved in.  Today Mary Lou still lives there and allows tours to be given, some of the time she even joins in to offer her story while she shows the main house.  Guides take the tours through the rest of the home (except her bedroom which is, as it should be, private space.)

The Mystery Castle is on the Phoenix Historic Property Register.

There are many interesting items both inside the house and in the construction of the exterior including actual petroglyphics in the wall.

Admission: $5 (subject to change) per person.  The admission fee is used to maintain the property so if you feel like it was worth it you may add some to your fee.

Hours: October to mid-June on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 11 – 4.

Phone: 602-268-1581

Location: 800 E. Mineral Rd., Phoenix, Arizona 85042

Directions: Take 7th St. south.  About 2 miles south of Baseline Rd. turn east (left) on Mineral Rd.  The road is a dead end road ending in the parking lot.  Parking is Free!

The American Southwest has some of the most distinctive landscapes in the country, so it’s no surprise that Arizona and New Mexico boast awe-inspiring views from almost every angle. Midway Nissan encourages you to set aside some time to explore the best spots to take in the scenery.  For Phoenix used cars or new cars, Midway Nissan can get you on the road to experience the best that the American southwest has to offer.