Discover the Fairytale Castle That Once Stood in Portland, Oregon

Oregon embodies a variety of natural habitats, contributing to the array of native wildlife in the state. Along with its natural beauty, Oregon is home to unique architecture influenced by medieval Europe, like one of its most famous castles. Discover the fairytale castle that once stood in Portland and the famous English castle that inspired its design.

History of the Fairytale Castle That Once Stood in Portland

Canterbury Castle is the fairytale castle that once stood in Portland. The private home, also known as Arlington Castle, was located in southwest Portland, Oregon. This fairytale castle earned its name from its resemblance to the original Canterbury Castle in England and the street name it resided on. Construction started in 1929 and completed in 1931. It was a Portland Historic Landmark, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Shortly after construction, curious visitors turned up to tour the enchanting home. A local radio station even hosted Halloween parties in its halls. Much like its inspiration, the fairytale castle in Portland belonged to many people over the years.

Castle Features

The privately-owned Canterbury Castle was a 6,000-square-foot, three-story home in Arlington Heights. Jeter O. Frye designed it to resemble the famous Canterbury Castle in England on the outside but displayed the popular 1920’s Hollywood art deco style inside. The exterior was constructed with basalt stone quarried from Rocky Butte, some of which remains with its last owner.

The moat, drawbridge, and turret of the fairytale castle caught the attention of residents and visitors alike. The medieval-styled home also included round, arched frameless windows, cylindrical corners, and a crenellated parapet. Hardy windmill palms were planted around the property to enhance its uniqueness.

The interior art-deco style consisted of mahogany woodwork, chandeliers, and tile floors. Spanish-style white stucco and spiral staircases were the interior centerpieces. But the most impressive aspect was a bathroom inspired by one in Charlie Chaplin’s estate.

The Canterbury Castle Today

Rising costs, unstable soil posing a landslide risk, and a lack of willing contractors to tackle the complicated project caused the 80-year-old home to deteriorate beyond repair. Sidney Lynne and John Hefferin purchased the property in 2004 and then spent the next four years and thousands of dollars attempting to save the fairytale castle. Sidney Lynne avidly petitioned the city, locals, and even Bob Vila to renovate the historical home to meet city standards. However, they couldn’t get the help needed to prevent demolition.

Ownership was briefly handed over to JPMorgan Chase before it was purchased by one more local. A next-door neighbor, Robert Stansel, purchased the home through a foreclosure auction in the spring of 2009. However, it was too late. The city considered Canterbury Castle “structurally unsound,” prompting its 2009 demolition. Its story came to an end in October 2010 when it was removed from the National Register of Historic Places. The only things left of Oregon’s famous castle are two dozen tiles Stansel saved from the rubble.

Wildlife Where the Fairytale Castle in Portland Once Stood

Arlington Heights in Northwest Portland is a blend of urban and suburban. Animals living where Portland’s fairytale castle once stood include common residential wildlife such as squirrels, skunks, opossums, and mice. You can also run into bats, owls, coyotes, cougars, and black bears. Closer to the water and other riparian zones you can find the state animal, the beaver.

Migratory and native bird species in Oregon include ducks, owls, and hawks. On the other hand, invasive bird species include European starlings, English Sparrows, and pigeons. Canadian Geese are also common in urban environments such as Arlington Heights and downtown Portland in spring. They create nests throughout the area and become aggressive when people come too close.

The Original Canterbury Castle

The famous Norman castle in Kent, England, inspired Portland’s fairytale castle. Construction began in 1066 during William the Conqueror’s reign but wasn’t completed until 1120 by Henry I. The massive stone structure was 80 feet tall, with walls 13 feet thick. The only way to get in was through a stone stairway on the first floor. Years later, Canterbury Castle lost its importance when Henry II built a new castle in Dover. As a result, it primarily served as a prison. By the 1800s, the castle was in ruin.

Despite restoration efforts, much of the structure remains destroyed. The walls tell stories that predate William the Conquerer, who had Canterbury Castle built on a Roman burial ground. In fact, builders demolished 11 houses on the property to construct the mound. Many events occurred within the castle’s walls, including multiple attacks and renovations. Now, the castle in one of the most famous towns in Britain is open for tours.

The original Canterbury Castle has a long and tumultuous history that isn’t quite like that of the fairytale castle that once stood in Portland. However, its unique medieval architecture was the great inspiration for Oregon’s historic private home.