It is one of Eureka Springs’ most peculiar dwellings and should top your list of must-see attractions to visit. Quigley’s Castle, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the vision of Elise Fiovante Quigley. This mother of 5 designed her dream house with scissors, paste and cardboard and made it a reality in 1943. Though the process took over 3 years to complete, Quigley’s Castle is still visited today.
Elise’s dream home had 2 requirements. She wanted to ensure there was plenty of room for her family and for the home to have the feeling she was living in the world instead of a box. The lumber from the home was from their own lumber mill and the stones that line the house and garden paths were from Elise’s childhood collection. On a summer morning after her husband, Albert Quigley, headed off to the lumber mill for work, Elise and her children began to tear down their house.
The family endured years of patience during the building of the home. Elise’s dream home had 28 large windows. Glass at the time was unavailable so the family had to wait 3 years to complete that portion. To bring the feeling of the outdoors in, tropical plants were planted on the first floor. Four feet of soil was left open in the living room to allow Elise’s plants to flourish indoors. These plants have grown for 65 years and now reach the ceiling. The inside of the house is also filled with antiques, family heirlooms and an extraordinary butterfly wall. After touring the inside of the home, be sure to walk through the surrounding perennial garden featuring over 400 varieties of flowers. Along the path, there are bird baths, a pond, and benches for sitting and taking it all in.
Quigley’s Castle is open from March through November. The Castle is located 4 miles south of Eureka Springs on Highway 23. Visitors are welcome from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The home is closed on Thursdays and Sundays. If visiting in March or November, call 479-253-8311 before arrival to plan a time to visit. Admission is only $7.00 for adults and children 14 and under is admitted free with adult. The property is not accessible for wheelchairs. Visitors should be prepared to endure stairs and uneven grounds.
When traveling through the Ozark Mountains, we’d love for you to make a stop at our location as well. For years, guests have been relaxing at Arsenic and Old Lace bed and breakfast on their way through Eureka Springs. Arsenic and Old Lace offers 5 guest rooms complete with private bath featuring a whirlpool tub and seasonal fireplace. Just walking through our B&B you’ll find original works of art, stained glass windows, and crystal chandeliers. To top it all off, we provide a gourmet breakfast in the morning to ensure your day gets off to the proper start. When booking your room be sure to ask us about our current specials. Call us at 479-253-5454 for room availability.
