HOWDEN CASTLE

Howden Castle is located on Highway 9 in Ben Lomand, California. Construction was started in 1927 and completed in 1932. It was built by Robert Howden, who modeled it on castles of his native country, Scotland. The stones of the original castle foundation walls were hand picked and set. Poems and scenes by Scottish authors Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns were etched into the windows of the castle.

From 1939 until 1946, the castle was owned by a Santa Cruz doctor, Howard Sullivan and his wife. In 1946 it was purchased by George and Ivy Weatherley who added an addition to the building. The addition is constructed of 2" thick sculptured plaster over framing. Mrs. Weatherley gave tours of the castle for almost 20 years. It remains a tourist attraction and in 1979 was determined to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Later, I received E-Mail that said:

I loved your site and this picture, But some of the information is wrong, My Family either owned or rented it out for a Time I know this as fact as My Mother who is 77 lived in the Castle when she was younger circa 1932-1939 their family name was Jester My great Grandmother Jean S Jester wrote many stories in this home , She was a Ghost wrighter for the wrighter of the book Orient express, The name escapes me now but the facts given are true and as a Geneoligist I have the supporting records, We have the family pictures of this home inside and out. also there was a woman who lived in this place in much later years who was known as the cat lady , Because of her many cats.

At one time, the castle was rented out as a vacation rental. This is no longer done.

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