The Fairhope Storybook Castles are actually two properties, joined together by family legacy and artistic creativity
The Fairhope Storybook Castles are actually two properties, joined together by family legacy and artistic creativity.
These magical, one-of-a-kind handcrafted treasures were created over more than sixty years, beginning with Sheldon's Castle, home of the legendary artist and sculptor, Craig Sheldon.
Filled with artwork inside and out, the house itself is, in fact a work of art. Featured on HGTV, The Ananda Lewis Show, and APT, this unique building is recognized as one of America's most artistic structures. From floor to ceiling, there is delight to be discovered in every painstaking detail, each created over lifetimes dedicated to an artistic family legacy.
Come on in, see the Sheldon Storybook Castle in Fairhope, Alabama. Let your imagination take you where it will-- just as Craig Sheldon did when it all began as an addition to the family home, shortly after World War II. The Sheldon Castle took shape, as Mr. Sheldon recycled, reused and repurposed everything he could salvage, far, far ahead of his time.
His resulting life's work is a testament to ingenuity, resourcefulness, creativity and beauty. The Sheldon Family Castle was such a special place, it sparked magic in Sheldon's daughter, Pagan, as well.
Married to Dean Mosher, a long time friend and fellow conspirator of Craig Sheldon, Pagan Sheldon Mosher was delighted when her husband wished to help continue her father's work.
Keeping up with the "Castle Next Door", The Mosher Castle began coming to life after the Moshers purchased property adjacent to the Sheldon Castle. Work began all over again! In keeping with the original style, the Mosher's too, have used local materials, art and craftsmanship wherever possible, including much of their own.
As any living form of art, the Mosher family continues to find inspiration and magic every where they look. And so, Mosher Castle continues to grow.
Nestled on the edge of a wood near downtown Fairhope, Alabama, stands the Mosher Castle.
Over the last 30 years, the small frame 1950s-era house purchased by the Moshers in 1983 has slowly been completely enveloped by the castle. Dean’s designs and architectural drawings have become concrete footings and Clay City tile walls, with concrete and miles of rebar in slabs, corners, and lintels, all faced with stone veneer with interesting objects woven throughout.
Hand-built with incredible attention to detail by artist Dean Mosher, it serves as both home and studio for Dean and his wife Pagan Sheldon Mosher and their two children Megrez and Cleveland.
The tower contains bedrooms for the children on the second and third floors, while the ground floor houses Pagan's office and sitting room.
Arching, roofs, balconies, trim, doors, windows, and furniture were all handmade from Dean’s designs, often by himself, with notable help from his father-in-law, Craig Sheldon, as well as his own father and many good friends over the years. “God willing, another decade should see it finished,” says the artist/builder.
Every part of Mosher Castle is handmade and designed by Dean Mosher down to the last detail, such as the entrance doors with their subtle dragon motif, showing the dragon shooting a fireball around the doorknob.
The centerpiece of the fountain that feeds the moat is crucible once used to pour molten bronze into one of Pagan's father's sculptures. Dean likes the contrast between the 2100-degree metal and the cool water that now gushes forth. Dean's studio entrance is accessed by crossing the drawbridge over the moat by the waterfall and pond area full of koi goldfish and minnows.
As a descendant of William the Conqueror and Henry II, Dean has a special place in his heart for lions, sculpting them for his cornice pieces. If you look closely, you will see that Dean's leos have manes formed of leaves rather than fur.
All of the trim pieces are handmade to accent the house. Dragons carved by Craig Sheldon ornament Dean's studio, while phoenixes grace Pagan's workplace. Both the exterior and the interior are largely made of local materials. The stone facing is indigenous to the area, as is the underlying wall tile. In amongst the stones are pieces of glass and pottery as well as objects from around the world, including the Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall.
The artist has been building his studio home for nearly 30 years in and around raising his family and pursuing his art. Dean's wife, Pagan Sheldon Mosher, a retired professional dancer, now teaches ballet. They married in 1978. Much of Dean's construction knowledge was acquired working with his late father-in-law, Craig Sheldon, master carpenter, mason, and woodcarver.
http://fairhopecastle.com/
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pgnmosher@gmail.com
Visiting is possible by prior arrangement