Bancroft Castle was built by General William Bancroft in 1906 in Groton, Massachusetts. It was built as a gift for his wife. He reortedly originally intended it as a bungalow to accompany a larger castle-like house, but lost funding before the additions could be constructed. In 1918, physician Harold Ayres purchased the bungalow and renovated it into a private sanitarium.
During the 1930s, the Groton Hunt Club used the bungalow for entertainment. During a July 4 fireworks celebration in 1932, the bungalow caught fire – leaving only the exterior stone walls intact. It is now part of Groton’s protected open space and was opened to the public. Anyone may hike to the top of the hill and visit what remains of the castle. Adapted from Wikipedia.
I hope it can get some restoration works done as it does look really like a grand old place in days gone past. I am sure it can be a lovely historical site with a cafeteria for visitors to sit in and enjoy it.
I think it’s likely to stay as it is. It’s part of that towns conservation land now. Though a cup of coffee and pastry would be nice to sip here.
What a beautiful structure, I would love to buy something like that and turn it into private castle 🙂
Wouldn’t that be a dream!
A private sanitarium? How interesting. And what beautiful photographs you made, Chris! It will be so much fun to get out and explore again. When it is safe of course. I hope you have a work free day ahead with lots of recreation and fun planned! Take good care!
Thank you, Sandra. I do my exploring in the early morning hours when nobody is around and I’m pretty chosy about where I go. It’s been a good day of things to do around the house and even I bike ride. I hope you have a work-free, worry-free day also.
Sounds like it was a great day out your way too. That’s great. Take care!
What a treat to see this on a walk!
Totally. I hope you have a great week, Nancy.
I’ve marked this as a must-go day trip for my husband and me.
Bring a picnic. It’s a nice spot. There isn’y a lot of parking but you could park at Gibbet Hill restaurant a couple hundred yards away.
Thank you for the suggestion, Chris. Are dogs allowed? (Because I know my husband is going to ask.)
I don’t know. You could check the town of Groton’s webpage. The castle is part of their conservation land.
Thanks!
Those castles…always catching fire! Great shots here.
I blame the dragons for the fire.
Naughty buggers! LOL
They can be. 🐉
well Bancroft Castle looks like a wonderful architecture for b/w and texture…you know I also appreciate these kinds of spaces…have a happy day Chris ☺️🙃🙂💫 smiles hedy
It is a great spot. If the light hadn’t been so beautiful, I would have done more BW.
My! What a gift! These days one can be happy about a toilet paper roll as a gift! 😂
The irony is that there was this huge castle…but no toilet paper.
LOL! 😂