Howard Solomon was an interesting man that built a castle out of mainly discarded material. Outside is covered discarded aluminum printing plates. There are turrets, towers, a drawbridge and a dungeon. The stained glass is beautiful.
Solomon started building the castle without any plans in 1972 on Central Florida Swampland. He was originally from New York, but heard of this area from a friend while he was living in the Bahamas. He wanted warm weather and cheap land and got both. He bought land at $350 an acre. He decided to build up because there was little high ground.
Solomon was a Craftsman and artist and the castle is full of his artwork made from recycled materials, clothes hangers, cans, shells, sheet metal hardware, beverage cans, shells, oil drums, sheet metal and wood. It also displays some artwork from his artist friends. Unfortunately the castle doesn’t allow indoor photography.
In the 1990’s Solomon built “Boat in the Moat,” besides the castle. It is a replica of a 16th century Portuguese Galleon. It now serves as a restaurant. We had desserts only and they were delicious. He also built a lighthouse near the boat. Howard Solomon died in 2016 . His daughter Alane, runs the castle now.
Solomon got kicked out of high school and industrial school because he was a class clown with a corny sense of humor. His artwork and the script the guides tell today that were written by him show that humor. We loved his quirky art and his imagination. He definitely was very talented man that kept busy throughout his life.
The castle is closed on Monday and also in August and September, due to heat, humidity and mosquitoes. It’s really in the middle of nowhere but well worth the trip. There is also a car museum there but we didn’t have the time to go.
