Discovering Arizona - Mystery Castle

What Is Mystery Castle?
Mystery Castle is a Phoenix Point of Pride, named as such by the Phoenix Pride Commission. It was built by Boyce Luther Gulley, who abandoned his wife and daughter in 1930 after learning that he had tuberculosis. He travelled to Phoenix and started building a "castle" for the little girl he'd left behind. Mary Lou Gulley was a toddler when her father unexpectedly left and never returned.

Mary Lou Gulley Lives in Mystery Castle
Boyce Gulley's daughter, Mary Lou, still gives half the tour (the main house section) at the Mystery Castle when she feel up to it. No one is allowed to visit her bedroom, but you will see her kitchen and other rooms in the main living area. Mystery Castle is fascinating, but meeting and talking to Mary Lou might be the most interesting part of the tour. She talks softly and quickly, so pay attention!

Mystery Castle: Historic Property
Mystery Castle is on the Phoenix Historic Property Register, ensuring that it will be preserved even after Mary Lou Gulley is no longer there to maintain it.

Mystery Castle: Made of ... Stuff
Mystery Castle is located on the north side of South Mountain, near the site of what was then the town dump. Gulley used salvaged materials, auto parts, junk, and other artifacts he found in the Southwest and in Mexico in the building of his home. In this photo, you can see that he embedded actual petroglyphs in the wall.

Mystery Castle Tour
Mary Lou Gulley's mother passed away in 1970. Mary Lou still lives in the castle that her father built. She uses the tour fees to maintain the property and the house. At this time, the charge per adult is $5 (rates subject to change without notice).

Mystery Castle: Hours of Operation and Directions
Boyce Gulley was not only creative, but had a definite sense of whimsy. In this photograph, you can see that he built a frame around the view of downtown Phoenix. Don't you wonder what downtown Phoenix looked like when he built it?

Mystery Castle is open October to mid-June on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Try to visit before it gets too hot! Call to check if it is open at 602-268-1581.