UNKNOWN CASTLE ??

I received E-Mail that said:

Hi, I know of two or three small privately owned castles in Pendelton, New York. They are known as "Petite Castles" and were supposedly built to become the centerpieces of an amusement park back in the 20s or 30s. If you contact the Pendelton Historical Society maybe they can give you more (or correct) information.

Later, I received E-Mail that said:

I know of/have been to the Petite Castles in Pendelton, NY. I know the current owners , it is privately owned. There is a French and German castle, the German castle is if I recall correctly 20 feet sq at its base and the French castle is round, maybe 16 ft. They are on opposite ends of a huge pond and the water runs under the German castle. I dont think they would mind me telling you this.

Later, I received E-Mail that said:

I remember as a small girl, my mother telling me about these castles. They were very close to where we went to church. We could actually see the tops of these castles from the road the ran above them. (They are nestled in the woods, down in a type of valley.) We were able to get our best view in the fall when the leaves were blown down. When my mother was a young woman, she attended dances that were held in the castles. If I can come up with anymore information, I will pass it on to you.

Later, I received E-Mail that said:

I went looking for these, but the Historical Society was closed (i have their phone number and i'll be going back). While there I found an area that looked so quaint I just had to investigate. I discovered a Castle NOT like what's mentioned in this link! Pendleton is a lot of flat land (golf courses and lakes) and is a hamlet in the city of North Tonawanda (arguably, Lockport). I happened across a newly built mini-community which was named "Castleview". It reminded me of the Oechsner area. So I ventured up into a small tract of forest behind it. Lo and behold, a Castle! Actually, it's more like an ancient hollowed out Castle ruins in appearance. It looks hundreds of years old and looks like it was in a Medieval war. It's awesome. Distinctly CASTLE, as you'll see in the photos I took. I figured an estimated address. I couldnt stay long. Lots of no trespassing signs everywhere. This is all historic countryside from "The War of 1812".

Later, I received E-Mail that said:

They're called The Petite Castles. There are 3 or 4 "mini-Castles" hidden away from the road in a small forest.

Martin Gilbert of the Pendleton Historical Society gave me some info.

It is (they are) physically located at: 6500 Campbell Boulevard, Pendleton, NY. Well, that is, the road that leads back into the woods toward where the Castles can be found. But it's "No trespassing" and "Off limits". Signs are posted all about, so this is the closest and best photo i could get. At least it's current.

Pendleton Historical Society and Museum
Address: 6570 Campbell Blvd, Lockport, NY 14094 Phone: 716 625-9554

A millionaire built these mini-Castles some time ago intending to turn the area into a "play ground" like Disney World.

On 12-13-06, I received E-Mail that said:

I found your site as I was researching the Pendleton Castles. In your post regarding them, you asked for pictures. The thing that sent me towards your site was this post on livejournal: http://community.livejournal.com/wnyexplored/3242.html#cutid1

Many pictures of the castles and area around them.

On 2-13-08, I received e-mail that said:

As for the Unknown castle , Pendleton, NY, at your page: http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/ny_unk6.htm

I have some more recent and correct information about the castles. I knew the previous owner back in 2004. There are two main structures and I have photos of the previous owner "Melinda". (pictured at the bottom of the photo page below):

http://209.150.136.174/photos/2004/pics-01.html

I lived in this area and as I child (late 50's, early 60's) my friends and I used to ride our bicycles to the castle. Always got chased out if we got caught. Anyways, Melinda and her now deceased husband purchase the property and was intending to fix them up for their private use. Unfortunately her husband passed away prior to reconditioning them. They did do some work on the property, but never finished. I also knew people that knew the people that owned them prior to Melinda.

According to the history a European, I believe a Scottish man built the structures for his wife and he to live in them. His wife stayed in Europe during the constrution from what I was told. They used local workman to build them out of local stone, etc. Toward the end of the completion of the origional castles, the Scottsman's wife had died while still in Europe. He then abandonded the castles.

I believe they were always privately owned. As a child visiting them, I remeber there being a coat of arms there, a full knights outfit and a number of other items of interest in the castle.

Now, all of that is gone. I have been through the castles (with owner permission) many times recently and have a number of nice photos of them. I call the castles "Melinda's Castle" only because Melinda owned them at the time. Others refer to the castle as Petite Castles or Unknown Castle. Don't think they were ever given a formal name by any of the owners.

On 9-17-08, I received E-Mail that said:

The last remark about the owner being Melinda is incorrect. Her correct name is Melissa DiLapo http://www.lockportjournal.com/pendleton/local_story_340010940.html

“Melissa DiLapo is the owner of the Pendleton property where Petite Castle stands and she's looking to turn the property into a commercial venture. The 16-acre property at Bear Ridge Road and Campbell Boulevard is home to two medieval castles.”

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