The site in Holland that is known as Castle Park got it's name from the castle that was built on the property in 1893-1894 by Michael Schwartz, a businessman from Chicago.
Schwartz was a German immigrant who left Germany to escape the Franco-Prussian war; he came to America and settled in Chicago, becoming successful in real estate. The castle was built with the intent of becoming his family home: he & his wife along with their six daughters and his mother-in-law. Okay, so what about a haunting? It's been said that Schwartz built the castle in order to seclude his family from the evils, ungodliness and lawbreaking that America was becoming known for. Even so, one of Schwartz's daughters happened to become romantically involved with a local boy; the two soon decided they were going to elope. However, Schwartz discovered their intent and squelched it by locking his daughter in the castle's tower.To this day, the legend states that her apparition can be seen in the tower window - especially on a night when the moon is particularly bright - looking for her lost lover...and some visitors who stroll by the castle on these moonlit nights claim to have seen her.
But how did she die? Broken heart? Old age?
So far, the cause of her death is unknown. Following this incident, the Schwartz's relocated to Holland, only about a year after they had moved into the castle.
Check out the influence this castle may have had on "The Wizard Of Oz" by
CLICKING HERE.
Pay a visit! Located at the junction of Bryant & N. Cherry Streets, a tad southwest of Holland near the Lake Michigan shoreline.
For more ‘Haunted Michigan’ locations, CLICK HERE!
