
Built in 1888 by Burton Harvey Campbell, this architectural masterpiece
was duplicated from architectural drawings of the "mother" castle
which was originally constructed in the foothills of Scotland. But it
is more than mortar and limestone, it is the result of one man's dream
and several architects' expertise.
The mansion remained the property of the Campbells until
1910, when Walter Morris purchased the estate for less than a third of
the $90,000+ which it originally cost to build. Fifty years later it
became the property of Maye Crumm, who began calling it Crumm Castle.
For a period of time it housed the Belle Carter School, an institution
which was begun and operated by Crumm. In April, 1973 The Campbell Castle
was entered on the National Register of Historic Places as "a building
of architectural significance." However, in the 1970's the upkeep
of The Castle became a constant struggle, and to raise funds for its
survival, the 28-room mansion was opened to the public for tours of the
main areas.
By 1994 The Castle, an historic and beloved member of
the Wichita community, was existing on borrowed time. It was then that
Terry and Paula Lowry purchased the property. Out of respect for Campbell
and his vision of over 100 years ago, they returned his name to the structure
- The Castle Inn Riverside, "The Historic Campbell Castle."
They invested their time, energy, and resources into restoring this majestic
structure to its original beauty and splendor. Damaged stones were painstakingly
removed and replaced with new stones carved by expert masons. The woodwork
and floors have been brought back to their original luster. The roof
has been reslated with tiles from Vermont. The electrical and plumbing
systems were completely replaced, and the third floor ballroom level
was converted into five luxurious suites. The Carriage House, which had
been legally condemned by the city and was crumbling, was rebuilt and
now houses three suites and the Lowrys' apartment. What once were structures
composed of stone, mortar, wood, and glass, The Castle and Carriage House
have now been reconstructed using massive steel beam supports which will
fortify this magnificent landmark for scores of years to come.
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ca. 1895
Photos courtesy of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
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