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View Full Version : The Old El Castile Mansion


Debbi
09-24-2009, 02:23 PM
El Castile, Decatur, Texas

"The Castle" was built in 1883 by cattle baron Dan Waggoner and was once headquarters to the vast Waggoner ranching empire in North Texas. The house boasts 16 rooms and a full basement with 8 wood-burning fireplaces. It is constructed of fossibiferous limestone decorated with hand hewn wrought iron on the roof and balconies. The entrance hall has a grand staircase winding to the second floor with Texas star motifs decorating the walnut & oak stairway and other woodwork throughout the house. Massive interior doors stand 16 feet tall, 3 have stained glass. The Victorian library displays wrought iron isinglass fixtures from Denver. The house has a large dining room, 8 bedrooms, 5 marble bath and a huge kitchen with a copper sink and fixtures. The house was the model for the home in the movie "Giant". The home Thistle Hill in Fort Worth was a wedding present to Dan's Daughter Electra in 1902. El Castile was purchased by Phil Luker Sr. in 1944 and remains in the Luker family to this day. It is privately owned and not available for public viewing.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3950097347_bef153a4b1_b.jpg

Judy
09-24-2009, 04:55 PM
Hey, you really got a good view of this! Let's go knock on the door one day and see if they will invite us in!!!

Debbi
09-24-2009, 05:31 PM
If they do, I'm running! Now, Chiller...he may feel right at home. (seems I post a lot of comments about Chiller, these days.)

It looks pretty abandoned. The window in the far right room on the upper floor has been opened for years. Is never shut. I found a picture on the web from 2007 and it was open then. Only difference is now the covering is down that is exposing the shutter in that window.

I'd love to go inside to see but with the No Trespassing signs every 5 feet, I don't think it's a good idea. :)

Judy
09-24-2009, 07:30 PM
Oh, when we were up there last year a man drove up who takes care of the grounds. He said someone still lives there...hmmmm! You don't suppose....???

Debbi
09-24-2009, 07:47 PM
If someone still lives there then they have a broken (open) window on the bottom floor and that window on the second floor never closes. I wonder if he has gone inside to make sure they are still alive :)!!!

waltdsgirl
09-24-2009, 08:54 PM
What a cool place. Beautiful details on this one!

JonMikal
09-24-2009, 09:27 PM
What a cool place. Beautiful details on this one!

agreed!