Owosso's Curwood Castle, now a museum, was first used as a party pad

OWOSSO — Author James Oliver Curwood was so wealthy by the 1920s that he could afford to build a castle. 

And not even live in it.

The adventure writer's Norman chateau-style castle on the banks of the Shiawassee River was almost exclusively for fun. 

There was a moose head mounted above a fireplace and a bear rug sprawled out in the seating area. There was a turret that served as his work studio that offered views of the river. Works of art showcased scenes from his novels. 

"He built this to show people he had arrived," said Robert Doran-Brockway, director of the Owosso Historical Commission. "By 1922, he was a millionaire.”

There was no real kitchen or sleeping area in the castle. His real home was a five-minute walk away.

“This was essentially his party house,” Doran-Brockway said. "This was his man cave.”

Today, Curwood's castle getaway has been restored to look as it did when it was first built. The space also serves as a museum dedicated to the prolific author. 

There are photos of Curwood at all stages of his life displayed throughout the building as well as original movie scripts, his typewriter, notebooks and a telegram from Academy Award-winning actress Mary Pickford.

Visitors can purchase mugs, glasses and T-shirts emblazoned with the castle's image as well as copies of Curwood's books and films. Postcards for sale show a young Curwood with his hunting trophies and animals skins. 

Curwood was born in Owosso in 1878 to parents James Morgan Curwood and Abigail Curwood. He attended Owosso's Central High School until 10th grade when he was expelled. He went to the University of Michigan for two years but quit to become a reporter for the Detroit News-Tribune. 

His first short story, "Captain Kidd of the Underground," was published in 1907. From then on, he wrote 33 novels, most of which were adventure tales set in the Canadian north country.

Curwood eventually became a millionaire from his novels and movie scripts and completed his castle in 1923. The exterior of the castle is made of yellow stucco with a slate roof, and the interior is painted bright yellow. 

An avid hunter in his early years, Curwood had a change of heart when he was spared by a bear he had shot. He became an advocate of environmental conservation and education and was appointed to the Michigan Conservation Commission in 1927 shortly before he died. 

Along with writing adventure novels and his conservation work, Curwood was also an early proponent of film. At least 234 movies have been based on or inspired by Curwood's stories, including the 1934 movie "The Trail Beyond," which starred John Wayne.

“He really saw the vision of his novels move into his movies," Doran-Brockway said. 

Curwood died Aug. 13, 1927, of blood poisoning, four years after he finished building his castle. At the time of his death, he was the highest paid writer in the world, Doran-Brockway said. 

Curwood stated in his will that the castle should go to City of Owosso, but the estate was in probate for years, Doran-Brockway said. In the '70s, the castle finally became a museum. Before that, the building housed the administrative offices for Owosso Public Schools for about 20 years.

In 1978, the City of Owosso commemorated the 100th anniversary Curwood’s birth with a celebration centered around his castle. The city has hosted Curwood Festival the first weekend of June ever since. The castle and the surrounding park have about 20,000 visitors per year, Doran-Brockway said. 

"We get visitors from all over the world," he said. "You name it." 

Curwood Castle

The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The castle is closed for the month of January. Admission is $5 per adult, 8 to 18 years old is $2 and under 8 years old is $1 per child.

Contact reporter Haley Hansen at (517) 267-1344 or hhansen@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @halehansen.