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Mystery Castle

A view of the Mystery Castle near Seventh Street and East Mineral Road. This Phoenix landmark is eight miles south of Downtown Phoenix, on the north face of the South Mountain range.


Mystery Castle

This is the gift shop and "mother-in-law staircase" (left).


Mystery Castle

The castle is adjacent to South Mountain Park, the largest city park in the USA.


Mystery Castle

Mary Lou Gulley (center) owns the property and has lived in the Castle for sixty-three years. Her father, Boyce Gulley, built the castle for her during the Great Depression. Also shown are local historian Pam Rector (right) and Surrealist web master Nori Muster.


Mystery Castle

At the time Boyce Gulley built the castle, this window framed Phoenix. In the sixty-plus years since, Phoenix has grown. The window now frames Downtown Phoenix, with the city spreading out for miles in all directions.


Mystery Castle

These doors were painted by Ted DeGrazia.


Mystery Castle

A view of the lion's head in the mountains adjacent to the property.


Mystery Castle

Mystery Castle

Inside the Mystery Castle kitchen.


Mystery Castle


Mystery Castle


Mystery Castle


Mystery Castle

Outdoor patio on the roof.


Mystery Castle

Families of chuckawallas live on the property. Here, a baby chuckawalla munches on greens offered by one of the docents.


Mystery Castle

After a snack, the baby chuckawalla goes to look for its mother.


Mystery Castle

An anxious mother chuckawalla looks on.


You can visit the Mystery Castle daily October through May. It is located on the north face of the South Mountain range. Take Baseline Road to Seventh Street, go south to the end of the road and turn east (left). 800 E. Mineral Road, Phoenix (602) 268-1581. Although it's closed in the summer, you can see it from the road below.

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