Quigley's Castle, Ozark Mountains Travel Guide

Quigley's Castle, known as the Ozarks' Strangest Dwelling, is a testament to one woman's vision and love of nature. In 1943, Elise Quigley, with the help of her family, began building her dream home using lumber from their property. Frustrated with waiting for her ideal house, she famously tore down their existing shack while her husband was away at work, jumpstarting the construction of her unique design.The exterior of Quigley's Castle is adorned with rocks, fossils, crystals, and arrowheads that Elise had collected since childhood. These stones are embedded in the walls, creating a mosaic of natural beauty. The interior is equally remarkable, featuring a four-foot-wide space between the living area and the exterior walls, designed to house tropical plants and flowers. Some of these plants have grown to reach the second-story ceiling, blurring the line between indoors and out.Beyond the house itself, the surrounding gardens showcase Elise's creativity and passion for nature. Visitors can explore a perennial garden with over 400 varieties of flowers, along with rock sculptures, bottle trees, and other whimsical creations. The property also includes a fish pond, rock gardens, and a spring-fed reservoir, all reflecting Elise's dedication to integrating nature into her living space.Quigley's Castle is open for tours from March through November, offering visitors a glimpse into this extraordinary home and garden. The castle has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2003.