I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide, and local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it. read more

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A castle in Glendora? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you--Rubel Castle is real, it's magnificent, and it's gloriously eccentric. Thanks to the sheer persistence (and probably delightful stubbornness) of Michael Rubel, we now have this quirky, towering State Treasure sitting right in the middle of Glendora like a fairy tale that accidentally took a detour through a hardware store. This place is beautifully done, and part of its charm is that it's a full-on hodgepodge of relics, antiques, crystal trinkets, and "wait... what is that doing here?" moments tucked into every nook and cranny. You'll marvel, you'll laugh, you'll squint in confusion--honestly, it's everything you'd want in a castle built with love, imagination, and a dash of madness. And let's talk about the makeshift cemetery. Quirky? YES. Fun? Absolutely. Slightly spooky? Only if your imagination is over-caffeinated. But it fits the vibe perfectly--like the castle whispered, "You know what I'm missing? A tiny cemetery." The tours are fantastic, the guides are passionate, and the whole experience feels like you're stepping into a living scrapbook of California history and charming chaos. Overall: Amazing, amazing place. Book your tour. They only do tours every first Sunday of the month, so set your alarms, mark your calendars, tie a string around your finger--just don't miss it. Rubel Castle is truly a California State Treasure, and an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates creativity, history, and a little eccentric sparkle. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal your filled with so much information, today bits and one of a kind things I've never seen before! Who knew there was such a treasure piece hidden in the middle of a neighborhood?! read more

We took the tour of Rubel Castle on 4/8 and absolutely loved it! It is so fascinating to look at but what ready made the place come to life was our docent, Don. He was so incredibly knowable about the history of the entire area and how it pertained to the castle. He was a wealth of information and kept all of us wanting to learn more and hanging on every word. Amazing place in a beautiful location. I highly recommend touring this amazing piece of unique history. read more

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Scott our docent was an amazing storyteller. He's had lived experiences here at Rubel Castle, being the nephew of Michael Rubel, and having lived/worked on the grounds many years. From start to finish of the tour, Scott peppered us with intriguing historical and personal facts about Michael Rubel, and the castle. It was Michael's dream as well as a huge community project over the years, bringing together tons of volunteer labor hours, and donated/found/recycled supplies to build and develop the castle and grounds. The tour was a truly unique and memorable experience! read more

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Such an unexpected place! A real castle with a super cool story. It felt like a different world in the best ways. Our tour guide was a sweet old man who actually helped build it! I'm planning on going back with friends so I'm not distracted by my kids' reactions to everything. So glad I accidentally found out about this adventure just 20 miles from home. read more

Rubel Castle - Museums Near Me - Glendora, California

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Interesting local landmark for Glendora. It's interesting to see how different cities have these places that seem so fantastical and have such a varied history. Great way to spend a couple of hours if you're in the area. read more

Very interesting --a castle built on top of an abandoned reservoir--in the middle of a housing community --one man had the vision and determination to fulfill his dreams. read more

Ever since Huell Howser did an episode about it, Rubel Castle has a been a major goal of my sister's to visit one day and she brought the whole family with her! Built out of repurposed materials, Rubel Castle is the lifetime project of the late Michael Rubel and has become quite the local attraction in Glendora with tours being lead by the people who knew him best like his nephew. And while it is easy to wonder how much of an actual castle this massive structure that compromises of cement, rocks, glass bottles, and a lot of other random materials really is, I will tell you this castle has a fully functioning bell tower clock, "moat", gardens, blacksmith and wool workshops, and a drawbridge. In addition, there are various peacocks and chickens roaming around the premises. You really have to see all of this to believe it and it's definitely worth your time to see this unique SoCal fixture. read more

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We came on a rainy day in April, unfortunately. However, there was a big turnout so the tour went as planned. First, we got 50% off because everything was wet. Great! The tour went well, tourguide was a retired man who kept giggling throughout the tour. A lot of the tourists were infected, so you can say it was a happy tour. I was not as happy, probably because I was wet and freezing. However, it was an interesting and very informative experience. I may try it another time, and make sure the weather is nicer. I'm giving 5 stars because it was not the operator's fault I had a less than perfect experience. read more

Rubel Castle - Rubel castle - Museums Near Me - Glendora, California

Such a fun thing to check out! Our tour guide Hanz was awesome and funny and kept everyone on pace! The castle has an overall rustic vibe, with bits of what I might describe as eclectic. I think they even have weaving classes here! The property has a lovely story that would definitely entertain your family, friends, or date. It's about a 1.5-2 hour tour, with your docent/guide sharing tons of stories that they themselves experienced with the owner! As long as you stick with the group, you'll have some opportunities to chatter amongst yourselves along the way to keep it entertaining for yourselves - I know some people hate really strict tours so it's good to know that this is a bit more casual. Halfway through you'll have a chance to sit inside one of the rooms and watch a historical video featuring the man, Michael Rubel! You visit various quarters on the ground level. The tour felt very safe, but I think part of their 8+ yr old rule is to keep the kids from touching stuff and ruining it for others. Just keep them under control please and im sure your 6 or 7 year old can enjoy this too. Just don't ruin it for the rest of us if you can't control your kids, srsly. Anyway, worth checking out. It's only $20. They give you time to hang out afterwards if you want, we left right after but people were free to stay till 7:30pm after our tour concluded at 6:20. Street parking easy to find. read more

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This was a cool place to visit. The tour guide was awesome and he had so much to say. I would recommend this place.

A Unique Historical Architectual Curiosity and Oddity. A great Fun way to spend 2 hours. Our Tour Guide was Knowledgeable and entertaining. Very Enjoyable Tour. read more

Today was my first time here at the castle and it was truly a great experience. Our docent Hanz did a fantastic job showing us around the property and teaching us all about the life and accomplishments of Rubel, who he knew personally before his passing in 2007. Rubel was able to get the land where the former Glendora reservoir existed and shortly after that he began building his castle. It was a collaboration between himself, his friends, friends of friends, and even the neighbors. Everyone collectively worked on the property and he also shared it with everyone who worked there. He was a school bus driver for the Azusa school district so he would bring stones in the bus from the Azusa riverbed all the way back to his castle for the actual building materials. Dotted throughout the walls are countless bottles, statues, and all sorts of other items mixed in. Everywhere you look there really is something new and unique to see and I'm sure it would take many times walking through to see everything. Parking is extremely easy and plentiful as it's in a quiet residential neighborhood. It is definitely a bit quirky and odd, but at the heart of the property is the story of Rubel and after listening to his philosophies on life and work it's easy to envision why he was a beloved member of the community and still draws visitors to his own personal castle. read more

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Great and amazing experience. A hidden gem within the community of Glendora. Tour was informative. read more

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Had a great time touring! They give history and there is enough time to roam and take pictures. Our tour guide was actually related to the builder and grew up on property, so he was very knowledgeable about how things were built. We had a small group of about 15 which was nice and not crowded. The tour takes you around all the property and you can go in certain rooms, but people actually live there so you don't get to go in any of the residence areas. It would be nice if they had a display board/pictures of the inside. There is a lot of walking, narrow walkways and stairs so I would not recommend for those that have trouble walking. It was an interesting 2 hours! read more

Rubel Castle - Museums Near Me - Glendora, California

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Rubel Castle is a place I highly recommend visiting and learn about the amazing story behind it and it's former owner Mr. Michael Clarke Rubel. The Castel was entirely build on donations made by local people and the help of volunteers. You can make reservations to visit the Castel by calling 626-963-0419. They don't have daily tour options, so make sure to check their website for schedule. It cost 20$ per adult to enter and there is a form that you need to complete. Only street parking. read more

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BOOKING A TOUR: You must book in advance. They don't have an online calendar system so you have to use their online request form or call. All the tour times and specific instructions can be found here: https://www.glendorahistoricalsociety.org/castle/. I will say that someone replied very quickly and booking by e-mail was relatively simple. I later learned that they get no government or private funding for the castle so I don't expect them to have a state-of-the-art booking system. Just have a few dates in mind and be patient. PAYMENT: *Cash or check only.* There is no office or check-in area when you arrive. You just meet the tour guide outside of the castle gates. Make it easy for them and have your payment ready. They do accept credit cards at the gift shop, but that area is embedded deeper inside the castle. The fee is $20 for adults, $10 for children (8 to 18 only). PARKING: There is no official parking lot or anything here. It's just a castle in the middle of a neighborhood. However, it is a very calm and residential area that has plenty of open street parking. TOUR: By now, it's pretty clear that this is a very idiosyncratic structure. It is a castle built by Michael Rubel, a local eccentric who passed away in 2007. The site is now managed by the Glendora Historical Society. I won't get into the details -- you'll get those from the tour. Be aware that the tour is two hours. It goes fast as there is a lot to see however it might not be ideal for restless children. Either way, children under 8 are not allowed (for good reason -- there are a lot of ways to hurt yourself here). You'll also be on your feet for a while and walking on a variety of surfaces. There isn't much opportunity to sit either (except for when watching an intro video). What I'm saying is -- wear comfortable shoes. FYI: There are bathrooms once you begin the tour and enter the castle. TOUR GUIDE: Our volunteer tour guide (Don Green, I believe) was terrific! He was so knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about the castle and its history. He was also really accommodating and offered excellent customer service. There was one woman who had to leave halfway through the tour because her daughter was ill. He offered to comp their next tour. Another set of women arrived late, halfway through the tour. He offered to show them a little bit of what they missed and when they couldn't stay, he offered them a comped return tour. This sort of "above and beyond" approach is rare and I feel like it really complements Michael's vision of a community structure. It's not about the money but about sharing Michael's vision and inviting people to see this unique place for themselves. I really appreciated Don's commitment to providing a positive experience for all. Just to clarify, it's not a fancy castle nor is it anything highbrow. It's a folk art castle. Also, people actually live here. They have multiple tenants (their only source of funding, in addition to tour fees). In a way, it's also really inspiring. Here's a guy that dropped out of school yet found his purpose in life -- to build a fort. This was his passion and no matter how strange it may have seemed to outsiders, he made it a reality. He wasn't a loner either, he was beloved by his community and had a lot of help building and maintaining the castle. It's a wonderful story and I highly recommend checking it out. read more

Hell yeah! As beautiful as they are pictures, can't do it justice. This place is amazing.

What an amazing tour and so worth it! Read other reviewers as they succinctly point out all the many attributes with coming. I won't repeat although just add my 100% attending; you won't be disappointed! read more

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So fun and interesting and right in my own backyard. Who knew? Our guide, Scott Rubel was a master storyteller and super knowledgeable since he was one of the castle builders. The stories just went on and on surrounding the family and their contributions to the life and times of builder, Michael Rubel. Such interesting characters. If you haven't paid the castle a visit, a highly recommended it. read more

What a hidden gem in Glendora! I absolutely love everything about this tour! The tour is about 2 hours long and is $10/pp & $5/kids, every first Sunday, second Tuesday, second Thursday, third Friday, third Saturday and fourth Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. Everyone in the party must sign a waiver. Our two tour guides were really informative. Best part of the tour is that you get to touch, climb and go through the castle. There is srsly so much to see! Finding out how the castle was made is incredible and showed a lot of community camaraderie! Also, its amazing that President Eisenhower got trapped in the wine cellar here! Alfred Hitchcock and Bob Hope are a few famous people who have partied here! P.S. certain sections of the castle have been rented out as apartments, so people do live here! read more

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Incredible find in the middle of suburbia with tons of heart and soul. Rubel Castle is more than just a highly reinforced structure filled with rocks and tons of cement, it's about the journey of Michael Rubel, its founder and reason for its very existence. The stories of Michael Rubel are truly larger than life and hilarious. You'll find that Mr. Rubel was a whimsical man with so much wit and charm. The history alone is worth the trip. For those architectural buffs, you will be amazed with the layout of the buildings, towers, (real working) draw bridge and creative designs. I would take this tour over any of Hearst Castle any day. Tips: Reservations are highly recommended. Don't forget your waivers. Please don't be late (that's just rude). Tour lasts between 90 min to 2 hrs. While time certainly flies, might be tough for the younger ones or those that tire easily. Extra Tip: For those expecting a fancy pants, high end castle: Check you coat and top hat at the door. It's not that kind of castle. Nonetheless, it's a great structure in and of itself, made purely of recycled materials-- only adds to its charm!!! read more

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The castle tour led by Scott Rubel was incredible! Everyone in my group of friends had the best time hearing all of the many wild stories about the builders and keepers of the castle. The luckily harmless hijinks these folks got up to over the years while they made this place what it is today were awe-inspiring and hilarious. This is a must-visit for any Angeleno who's into neat old stuff and unique characters. read more

A neat place that a lot of people don't know about. We had a female docent (I think her name was Vicky), but she was great and really nice. The tour begins promptly at 10am and have cash on hand to pay for the tour. They don't allow any food in there, so definitely grab a bite to eat before your tour. You'll be on your feet most of the time. Our tour had less than 20 people, so it was a good sized group. It was fun learning about the history of Rubel, seeing the different parts of the castle, the materials used to make the building, as well as other things that are on the property that Rubel collected. read more

Rubel Castle - Inside the bottle house - Museums Near Me - Glendora, California

This place is absolutely insane and a true masterpiece. 1 tour is definitely not enough time to take in and see this place in it's entirety. It is so rich in history and packed with antiques and the funny stories behind them all. They also have a blacksmithing course that anyone can take, but they take holidays and the first Saturday if the month off. I didn't get all the details on how it all works but it seems you can show up at the gate and inquire about it. There is a certain charm to the place definitely worth seeing. read more

Best tour in the LA area!! Richard Macy is the funniest and most fun tour guide I've ever encountered as well. A truly magical experience!!!! read more

A crazy zany place to call home. Michael Rubel was a character in the best sense of the word. Surrounded by friends he built a remarkable place to call home. It really looks like a castle with all the trimmings and a few oddities. Have to hand it to he and his friends for constructing a marvelous site while having fun. Glad the historical society is working hard at preserving it all. A must see place to visit at least once in your lifetime. read more

Such a gem one of a kind place . Glad to have found this place to visit. Don't go for the usual theme parks while in LA and make sure to add this in your list to go to instead. You wont regret. read more

Came for the 10 am tour yesterday and was surprised to see a big group of people. I really thought it would just be a small handful of people since this tour was on a weekday. But anyways, I am so glad that I got a chance to come for a tour of the Rubel Castle. Our tour guide, Richard Macy, (docent) just happened to be very good friends with the creator of the castle, Michael Rubel. He did an amazing job of telling the group numerous of stories about Michael Rubel and the reason behind his decision making. Huell Howser came back here in 1990 to check out the Rubel Castle and then back again sometime in 2000 something (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naGKfCzFlxg for the shorter clip) (http://www.kcet.org/shows/tvtalk/this-week-on-visiting/this-week-on-visiting-with-huell-howser----ice-cream-hot-peppers-and-vincent-price.html scroll down to read the little blurb about his visit) and our tour guide was the one who gave him to tour. So here is some back history about the Rubel Castle. Michael Rubel was extremely fascinated with building forts when he was very young. He pretty much grew up next to a junk yard and referred to the items there as "resources" that he could use to build those forts. Well when he became an adult, he just some how decided that he wanted to build a castle (started in 1959). What was amazing about this castle is that almost every single item used was either donated or he was able to the items for free (the castle walls are actually rocks from the Azusa Canyon). But this castle is definitely much different from the ones you would think of in England or in the movies or in your story tale books. This castle has random items cemented into the walls (different colored glass bottles, gloves, motorcycle, utensils, gardening equipment, winter sled blades, trophies, etc. (Michael Rubel just thought it would be fun to stick random things in the walls). Surprisingly the foundation and walls of his large castle is very strong because according to our tour guide, it has survived all earthquakes so far (knock on wood) and has not suffered any damages, chips, etc. Now let me tell you some information about the tour. The tour last about 2 hours long, where 90 minutes of the time you are pretty much on your feet. There are some uneven grounds so it is best to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. You are required to sign a waiver (which can be obtained on the Glendora Historical Society's website) and provide a suggested donation of $10 (either by cash or check). You can make a reservation on line (like how I did for mine) or by phone. Starting this January, tours will also be offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Overall, this tour is worth going to, to learn all of the interesting history of this castle. Also worth coming to check out the incredibly creative way of putting together a castle. By the way, make sure you charge up your camera (or bring a back up) because my camera battery was low towards the end of the tour. Our guide told me that every time he does this tour, usually a number of people's camera batteries run out. read more

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This tour is very cool! It is ran by the Glendora historical society and you must schedule a tour for your family/group or you will not be allowed on the premises. The entire tour is 2 hours to get through all the sights. I loved the Huel Howser video they showed with the builder. I would recommend this tour for adults only, for children it is lengthy and confusing. I don't think they allow children under 8 years old. read more

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Richard was our guide and being a friend of Michael Rubel he was very knowledgable of the man who masterminded this unique creation known as Rubel Castle. I'm not sure words can describe what lies behind these castle walls, but if you got a little kid in you... just go! read more

Finishing out my weekend of adventures, I had scheduled a tour at Rubel Castle in Glendora. "Wait...there's a What??! Where?" I heard from whomever I told for several weeks before visiting. Sunday morning came, and I found myself standing outside a great big gate with a small group of other people. An older gent came out from a side door, and started collecting the waivers and the cash for the tour. (Ten dollars) Once all the paperwork had been completed, he gave us some backstory to the property, as well as the man behind the castle. Then he led us back through the side doorway he had come through past the great stone walls. As I crossed the threshold, I thought to myself "This place is great!" As the first thing we saw were two large stone buildings and a train caboose. The tour started up and let us know about the man behind the castle. Rubel. As a young kid, Rubel lived by a junkyard, and enjoyed making forts out of the limitless supplies he scavenged from the junkyard. As Rubel grew up, his dealings with people and the real world didn't go so well. But, through wealthy friends he had made as a child, he inherited a gargantuan plot of land with a giant cement reservoir as it's main feature. Rubel had plans, and eventually the reservoir became the main footprint for his castle. Between the sixties and the eighties, Rubel and his friends built his castle. It was amazing. He had no blueprints, no plans, and also no permits. Much of his supplies were salvaged from the area. His 'crew' consisted of friends, who would bring friends, who would bring even more friends. Rubel didn't even pay his crew. Well, beyond pizza lunches anyways. The community rallied around his project and donated supplies and materials. Often times, friends of friends would spy piles of materials that had been tossed out, and bring them to the castle for incorporation into the walls and other places. Eventually his castle was complete. A Massive structure complete with six foot thick walls, and many living areas. Within the walls are all manner of objects. Considering sprinkeld about the walls are things like wine bottles, motorcycle parts, car parts & other assorted odds and ends. There are currently five 'apartments' within the castle's solid walls. As the castle was being built, often times friends of friends would find things and offer them to Rubel. Things that Rubel would want. Things that castles wouldn't be complete without. Things such as a massive windmill. Things such as a train caboose. Things such as a really big antique engine that is currently being used to power the bird bath fountain. Things such as a large collection of grave markers that never got picked up due to misspellings or not enough money. (Yes, no castle is complete without a full on graveyard next to the train caboose) The tour guide was very entertaining, and very knowledgeable about the history of the building and the people of the place. Many of the stories he told of Rubel acquiring things ended with "and that's when the police arrived" which made the thing even all the more interesting. Since the place was built without plans nor permits, there was so much guile and creativity that went into it. But yes. The place is incredible. Absolutely go and take a look for yourself. For more reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubel_Castle For more information: http://glendorahistoricalsociety.org/Castle.html Huel Howser's Show on the castle: https://youtu.be/bsG0joBIb0A read more

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Began a two hour tour with a walk through a cemetery (no actual dead) just tombstones. Saw some old cars, Walked the plank, sat around the Knights round table, went through a train made up as a guest house- super cool), went through the castle, watched a clip of Huell Howser, escaped through a tunnel and ended within the castle where there was so many treasures - including a train set. A rather unique tour, and only ten bucks! Our guide was Richard Masy and he was so cute with so much energy. I would def recommend this tour to people who don't mind walking and standing for two hours. read more

I grew up right up the street from this place, so I have been through it several times in my lifetime. You get different tidbits and facts on every tour depending who the guide may be. And different info when there for certain events like a Halloween psychic reading or a catered dinner event, etc. I wouldnt travel from afar for this, but if you live in the area or have a friend in the area you are visiting, it could be an interesting excursion before dinner and drinks. This is the most creative hoarding I have come across. read more

I had long-since heard rumors of a so-called "satanic church" somewhere up in the hills of Glendora, California. Rumors ran from 'it' being a former convent turned coven house, to a full-fledged temple. Descriptions of a large clock tower with 'satanic symbols' on it, people disappearing, etc. pervaded the urban legend. The sources were dubious as were the claims. Then one day, an acquaintance asked Me if I wanted to go see a 'castle' located somewhere in this suburban location, so what the Hell, I was game. Upon arriving curbside, seemingly overshadowed by thick foliage and draping trees, a 'tower' comprised completely of grey stones juts up beyond a very nice gate made of pointed barbs some way from the driveway. Climbing halfway up a tree reveals sharpened glass cemented into the wall, that anyone attempting to climb into this world would be rightfully skewered on its jagged points; also viewable from this vantage point were a couple of roofs therein, one with a stylized weather vane. Turns out the 'satanic symbols' on the clock tower were actually metal figures of a cow at 3 o' clock, a pig at 6 o' clock, a rooster at 9 o' clock, and a horse at 12 o' clock. There is also a bell tower with a clock on it, but no 'satanic' symbols to be found. Ironically, Rubelia is far more de-facto Satanic that ever suspected. So it actually did exist - a castle in the fetters of this unassuming city, so I was curious to learn more about its history and the owner. Rubel Castle Upon investigation, I found that this estate was the brainchild of one Micheal Clarke Rubel, an eccentric gentleman who began its construction in the Noir Era, son to equally eccentric Henry Scott Rubel and Deuel Rubel, as the photo will attest. Lacking the enormous funds required to erect a castle from scratch, Mr. Rubel began to amass materials from every conceivable source possible, from river rocks collected from local mountains, to steel girders and bridges linking the towers together into which one can pass through, to donated lumber and many useful knickknacks. With the help of "pharm hands" [sic], his dream began to manifest until its final form was created in what stands to this day. Just recently, Mr. Rubel donated the property to the city's historical society, that it may be appreciated by those interested in such intriguing arcana, and is currently hosting tours. A local school was admitted within on June 5th {6/6/6 Eve} of this year, and more recently on Halloween, the gates were opened for trick or treaters wherein apples were dispensed by a man in a turn-of-the-19th century train conductor's uniform. An outfit not surprising, considering there is an actual caboose on site through which one may pass, a trapezoidal water tower framing the inner entrance, brick staircases, as well as several etzels, a 'bottle house' {comprised of antique bottles cemented into the walls, upon whose surface sunlight creates an etherial glow inside the gloomy edifice}, and even a ramshackle 'knight'. Various wooden rooms display its timeless nature, from a grammophone, hand-cranked printing presses, sepia-stained photographs, paintings, bookshelves filled with dust-worn literature, delightful 'old-world' furnishings, vintage clothing, and a round table room whose seats are actually comprised of tree trunks fastened with padded leather seats. Rubelia even hosted its own international newsletter called "The Shriek", entirely handwritten by 'cleaning lady' Edith Friezner {said to be a witch}, which was then mailed off to someone on the list, who then remailed it to another recipient, until all 'subscribers' read it, until finally mailed back to Rubelia. Ingenuity brought this castle to be, and remains a hidden wonder as a tribute to one man's fanciful obsession. read more

This place has secrets that you won't learn about by taking the tour offered by the Glendora Historical Society. You won't learn about them from me, either, because I'm sworn to secrecy. Cool things happen here, but only if you happen to be one of the elect. Like me. read more

Junk, junk, junk.... What one man's junk is another man's treasure. This mantra kept going through my mind as I toured this interesting castle in the foothills of Glendora one Saturday morning. The castle was recently turned over to the Glendora Historical Society and they were having a sort of open house (not really because you had to be invited). Anyway, we all walked through this castle where artisans still live on the premises. There were pumps (water and electric), classic cars (in old and good condition), and junk. Literally, the castle walls were decorated with random things like hard hats, work gloves, engine parts, etc. If you ever get the chance to come here for a tour, it'll be worth your while. You never know what you may come across. The funny thing is, the castle is nestled in a very residential community with many beautiful homes and yards. You'd never think a full size castle would be hidden up here, but lo and behold one was there. read more

This is an amazing structure with an amazing story behind the creation of this must see historical building. Richard Macy was a phenomenal tour guide. This castle was not at all what I expected. It was much much more. I was blown away!!!!! read more

A feast for the eyes and a source of creative inspiration. It's a special niche place- not meant for mass market. Go with respect and an open mind. read more