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Quigley's Castle: The Ozarks' Strangest Dwelling

Discover the enchanting Quigley's Castle in Eureka Springs, a unique house museum and garden showcasing a lifelong passion for nature and collecting.

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Quigley's Castle, located near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is a unique house museum and garden built in 1943 by Elise Quigley. The exterior is adorned with rocks, crystals, fossils, and arrowheads collected by Quigley since childhood, while the interior features a two-story space for tropical plants, creating a seamless blend of nature and architecture.

A brief summary to Quigley's Castle

  • Monday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven paths in the garden.
  • Visit between March and November, when the castle is open for tours.
  • Call ahead to confirm hours, especially during March and November.
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Getting There

  • Car

    Quigley's Castle is located at 274 Quigley Castle Rd, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, about 4 miles south of Eureka Springs. From Eureka Springs, head south on Highway 23. Turn left onto Quigley Castle Road. The castle will be approximately 0.5 miles down the road. There is no parking fee. Check the hours of operation before visiting.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From Eureka Springs, taxi and ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are available. A ride to Quigley's Castle will cost approximately $15-$25, depending on demand and the specific service. Confirm the fare before starting your trip.

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Discover more about Quigley's Castle

Quigley's Castle, situated four miles south of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, stands as a testament to the unique vision and craftsmanship of Elise Quigley. Known as the "Ozarks' Strangest Dwelling," this historic house museum and garden offers visitors an immersive experience into Quigley's lifelong passion for nature and collecting. In 1930, W.D. Quigley deeded the eighty-acre property to his son Albert and his wife, Elise. Albert promised Elise a new house that she could design herself. Construction began in 1943, with Elise determined to create a home that embraced the natural world. She designed the house with a Roman courtyard atrium concept, featuring a four-foot-wide, two-story space within the outer walls to house tropical plants. This innovative design required two foundations to create a natural space where plants could flourish. The exterior of Quigley's Castle is covered in rocks, crystals, fossils, and arrowheads meticulously collected by Elise since childhood. This painstaking process took nearly three years, resulting in a visually stunning and deeply personal work of art. Inside, the house features over 28 windows and French doors, further blurring the lines between indoors and out. A four-foot square aquarium is built into the living room wall, adding to the home's unique charm. The surrounding gardens boast over 400 varieties of perennials, wildflowers, and antique roses. Visitors can explore winding paths, discover rock sculptures, and admire fourteen-foot rock pillars with climbing vines. Quigley also constructed a 200-foot rock fence and whimsical "bottle trees" made from her husband's bottle collection. Quigley's Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 30, 2003. Today, Elise Quigley's great-grandchildren welcome guests to tour the home and gardens, sharing the story of her remarkable life and creative vision.

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