Mystery Castle

Phoenix, Arizona

The story of Boyce Luther Gulley's castle is simply but poignantly told in the brochure that is given out on the tour:

MYSTERY CASTLE

A long time ago in the future...

The reality of dying was thrust upon him in his prime. Choosing not to live a life of quiet desperation awaiting the end, he ran away from home, his family and friends. Those were sad but wondrous times of soul searching and physical creativity. In his heart was permanently etched the vision of those precious moments in time when he and his little girl, Mary Lou, built sand castles in the beach in Seattle, Washington. How 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 in the desert where there is no water." He would smile and wonder perhaps it was not a coincidence that he migrated to Arizona, where he gradually regained his health. So he built her a native stone castle: eighteen rooms, thirteen fireplaces, parapets and many charming nooks and crannies, then furnished it with southwestern antiques. The "King" died in 1945, before he could send for his family. The little girl, now a middle-aged "princess," dwells in her "sand" castle, and is living the last fairy tale.

Wagon wheels are included in the "found" building materials.

Every square foot of the castle has something to look at.

Circular staircase -- no handrail!

Note the use of native river rock in the construction of this fireplace.

Cozy nook.

The ceiling of the "Levi Room" -- somewhere in this room is a pair of jeans given to Mary Lou by John Wayne!

A corner of the basement bar is reserved from those who go "From Beer To Eternity"!

Mary Lou Gulley is not a little girl anymore, but still lives in her castle.

Update December 2010:

Mary Lou Gulley passed away on November 3, 2010, less than two years after my visit to the castle. Here is her obituary as printed in the Arizona Republic on December 5, 2010:

MARY LOU GULLEY

Mary Lou Gulley, resident princess and proprietress of the Mystery Castle, passed away November 3, 2010. Mary Lou's father, Boyce Luther Gulley, came to Arizona in 1929 unbeknownst to his family, to battle tuberculosis. Over the next several years, he built the Castle, an enduring structure nestled at the base of South Mountain and 7th Street that has come to be a much-loved tourist attraction known the world over. Mary Lou and her mother, Frances Bradford Gulley, came to Phoenix from Seattle upon learning of Mr. Gulley's death in 1945. Their determination, ingenuity, hard work and sacrifice made the Castle into a home for Mary Lou and a memorable attraction for the thousands of adventurous souls who have visited the Castle for over a half century. Mary Lou loved all the visitors and she was a great storyteller; one never was sure what was true and what was "slightly" embellished. Her storytelling was published in 1952, when Mary Lou won the Mark Twain Young Writer's award for her book "My Mystery Castle," out of publication now, but soon to be available again for all to enjoy.

Mary Lou had many wonderful friends over the years. There will be an empty spot in our hearts without Mary Lou's wit and charm. Mary Lou knew there would come a time when she would no longer live in the castle. To ensure the castle and the spirits of her father, mother, grandmother Florence Fite Bradford, "Uncle" Frank Herberger and all other keepers of the Castle would live on, Mary Lou formed the Mystery Castle Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, to preserve and care for the Castle when she was no longer able to do so. If you wish to honor Mary Lou's memory, contributions may be made to the Mystery Castle Foundation at 522 W. 1st St., Suite 107, Tempe, AZ 85281.

Private services are pending. The Castle remains open to the public so that all may explore the wonders that lie behind its magical doors.

Directions: 800 E. Mineral Road.

Last visited: March 2009. Reported closed indefinitely September 2023.

Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.