“The Hearth”, in Holland, Michigan was a haunted house for several years, but is now privately owned and is no longer open. The castle-like structure is three-story brick and stone with a tower.
A small scale replica of a German fort was built as a private estate in 1890. The owner was a native of Germany who was successful in Chicago real estate. He wanted to insulate his family from uncultured American influences. The Schwarz family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz, six daughters and two sons. The Schwarz family moved from Chicago to western Michigan, where Schwarz could close his family.
Mr. Schwarz found that keeping his children isolated in the city was a challenge. The family lived in the castle for two years before moving to Holland, never to return.
While staying at the castle, one of the daughters fell in love with a local Dutch boy. Schwarz was unwilling to keep the struggle of the two separated and fought. The two young men decided to elope, fleeing in a buggy into the moonlit night. Enraged, Schwarz pursued them on horseback.
Although some narrators say that couples married before his angry father could catch up with him, most claim that he caught Schwarz. with them, and forbid marriage. He abducted his anxious daughter and shut her up in the tower of the castle.
There are those who seek to see the sad girl’s face, to look for their lost love from the window of the castle tower. Some ghosts believe that the sad girl haunts the building to this day.
History of Castle Park
Schwarz family stone castle since 1893. Preparatory school superintendent Chicago left, Rev, Parr. He found out that he had bought a place for a summer camp to be used immediately by the children. Soon parenting children found a beautiful spot and developed it into a summer resort for families. Rev. and Mrs. Parr prep school closed their time in Castle Park.
Families began buying lots and building cottages in Castle Park. The owners of the original cottage still own many of these cottages.
In 1917 Reverend Parr’s grandson, Carter Pennell Brown, took ownership of the garden. The Carter girl got married at the same moment of her childhood.
Carter Brown made improvements to the property. He planted Latin ivy, which covered most of the inn. He approached the inn, increasing its capacity.
In 1985 Castle Park was closed to the public. The heart of the Castle Park community is owned by approximately 100 cottage owners. The additions that Carter had constructed to accommodate the needs of the guest house were removed. The exterior of the castle was restored to its original state.
Castle Park now houses the owners of the historic building surrounding it. The stone castle is now a library and bingo headquarters, used for community recreation.
Some people in this city said that they saw a ghost in a window in the castle tower.
Holland, Michigan is in West Michigan, within driving distance of Chicago, Illinois and Indiana.
