Quigley's Castle: The Ozarks' Strangest Dwelling

Quigley's Castle, often called "The Ozarks' Strangest Dwelling," is a captivating house museum and garden located just south of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Built in 1943 by Elise Quigley with the help of her husband Albert and a neighbor, the castle is a testament to Elise's unique vision and love for nature. Elise Quigley designed the home to bring the outdoors in, incorporating a four-foot-wide, two-story space within the outer walls to house tropical plants. The exterior of the house is covered in a mosaic of rocks, crystals, fossils, and arrowheads that Elise collected since childhood, a project that took her three years to complete. Inside, the home is filled with family antiques, collections, and creations that reflect Elise's passion for nature. The gardens surrounding Quigley's Castle feature over 400 varieties of perennials, along with rock sculptures, bottle trees, and a lily pond. The property also includes a spring-fed reservoir, a greenhouse, and various rock gardens. Visitors can explore the castle and gardens, taking in the whimsical details and unique atmosphere that Elise Quigley created. One of the highlights is the "Butterfly Wall," an impressive collection of butterfly species arranged in a beautiful display. Quigley's Castle is open to visitors from March through November. It offers a glimpse into the life and creative spirit of Elise Quigley, who lived in the house until her death in 1984. The castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.