While driving around in South Phoenix I was noticing all the different type of homes and I stopped and talked to a couple of people and asked them about the area and about places to eat and places to visit. I had a few people mention the Castle and it got my curiosity so I drove up the hill to visit Ms Mary Lou Gulley who provided me with a tour telling me stories as well as a small interview. I highly recommend it as a place to visit.
Mystery Castle
A long time ago in the future.....
Location :
In the Foothills of South Mountain Park, (2 miles south of Baseline Road), take Central Avenue South to Mineral Road, then head East and follow the road to the Castle entrance. From the East Valley: Head West on Baseline Road to Central Avenue, turn South. Follow Road 2 miles to Mineral Road, then head east and follow the road to the Castle entrance.
Tour Hours:
11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. October through June.
For further Information call 602 268-1581
"Imagination is more important than knowledge," this is quoted from Einstein, but proved by Boyce Luther Gulley.
Dying was thrust upon Boyce Gulley in his prime and the reality of it was more than he could bear so he choose not to live a life of quiet desperation and wait for the end, instead he ran away from home, family and friends. Those were sad but wondrous times of soul searching and physical creativity. In his heart was a vision of a moment in time when he and his daughter Mary Lou, built sand castles on the beach in Seattle, Washington. 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 on the desert where there is no water." Perhaps it was not a coincidence that Mr. Gulley migrated to Arizona, where he gradually regained his health. So he built his daughter a native stone castle: eighteen rooms, thirteen fireplaces, and many charming nooks and crannies, then furnished it with southwestern antiques.
Boyce Luther Gulley "the King" died in 1945 , before he could send for his family. The little girl now a middle-aged "princess, " still lives in her "sand" castle, and is living the last fairytale. By conducting tours, Mary Lou Gulley maintains the castle and lives out her dream.
Mystery Castle is internationally know and It is listed in the Arizona Historic Register, and a Pride of Phoenix Award.