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AUDIO FORUMS >> DECFEST >> Castle I almost grew up in... that you might see!
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Message started by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 16:43:43

Title: Castle I almost grew up in... that you might see!
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 16:43:43

I can't help but wonder how my life would have changed if my dad had said 'yes' back in 1974 or so when he was offered the job of 'Director of operations' at Stronghold in Oregon IL situated along the Rock river.

I was looking on Google Maps last night for something and came across my favorite stomping grounds and the house we would have lived in had he taken the job.

click to zoom in

Just to the right of the large group of buildings, nestled in the woods was what almost became my childhood home. The entire property was probably 100 acres in size.

It was owned by Walter Strong of the Chicago Newspaper. When he died his wife donated the properly to the Presbyterian Church with the intension of it becoming a Christian retreat center which it did. I went to summer camp there many times as a young adolescent. My dad set up many of those retreats and being an artist also did a lot of folk-arts retreats which I helped out with. It was kind of like a summer home that we got to spend a lot of time in every year as a result. Needless to say it is dear to my heart with so many great memories I thought I would share it with you...

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 16:50:45

Walter Strong who was good friends with William R. Hearst from California. They went to Europe together and were so inspired by the castles there that they decided to build their own castles here in the states. Mr. Hearst just purchased one over there and had it dismantled stone by stone, shipped to California and re-assembled (which I still find hard to believe). This is the famous Hearst Castle you've all heard of.

Walter on the other hand decided to build his castle from natural limestone in the area where he lived in Northern Illinois. He called it Stronghold, go figure, and that is the large group of buildings you see in the first picture of this story.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Donnie on 01/23/22 at 16:55:59

I used to race motorcycles just a couple of miles away from there right by White Pines park.

My wife and I Honeymooned in Polo. Damn that was 30 years ago in a couple of months.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 16:57:40

So here are a series of pics of Stronghold. A place where I spent my summers growing up and a place I hated to leave so much I just wanted to live there forever. : ). And we came SO close, but my Dad said no to their offer and my dreams were crushed into the dirt.

click to enlarge

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by CAJames on 01/23/22 at 16:59:44

Just FWIW Hurst had parts of his castle shipped from Europe, but Julia Morgan did the overall design and supervised the construction:

https://hearstcastle.org/history-behind-hearst-castle/historic-people/profiles/julia-morgan/

She is a very interesting story in her own right.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 17:01:36

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 17:05:09

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 17:07:12

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 17:10:25

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 17:13:57

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 17:15:20

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 17:38:28

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/23/22 at 17:39:45

This is a great picture if you enlarge it. The small stained glass window on the left building was a secret chapel. To access it, there was a secret bookshelf in the library (the round part on the right of the picture) that opened and you walked across the driveway up in the attic.

click to enlarge

There were in fact many secret passages in this place, many of which I secretly explored. This is why learning how to use tools at a young age pays off. There were underground tunnels as well from the castle to the house and from there to the river.

All I talk about In this forum is audio, so every now and then it's fun to just reminisce about stuff that has nothing to do with hi-fi. : )

Steve

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Brian on 01/24/22 at 04:24:16

I enjoy these glimpses into your formation. I thank you for sharing this.

Brian

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by JBzen on 01/24/22 at 07:55:14

I found castles always intriguing and mysterious. I bet you were crushed when your father decided to not take the offer. I can see where you have fond memories of time spent there. Looks wonderful.

I visited a castle just out of the depths of dead valley. Scotty Castle it is called. I will have to dig up some photos of that adventure into a castle that rises out of the desert into an oasis complete with an organ that the pipes take an entire separate structure to fit.

John

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/24/22 at 16:10:31

Crushed about covers it, yes.

Walter Strong built it as a summer home for his family to get away from the city and let his kids discover nature. The kids playroom was only accessible by a secret passageway. I can only imagine that Walter must have had a lot of fun arranging this for his kids. It was built to look old even when it was new, and never contained even a hint of opulence. I suspect the residence in Chicago was opulent, while this was like a cottage in the woods. Sadly he only got to spend one year together with his family in it before he died at age 47 of a heart attack which is devastating to think about when you see this wonderful creation he make for his family. They continued to retreat there every summer for the next 20 some years or so without him.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Coyote on 01/24/22 at 21:21:56

So I am surprised nobody did but, the question begs to be asked:
.
Why???
.
Why did your dad refuse this dream job???

Cheers,

a.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/25/22 at 02:08:28

He had other goals I believe. He was Presbyterian Minister climbing the ladder of bigger and bigger churches and I believe he liked it. Probably saw this as anything but a dream job, or the money wasn't there. He wouldn't tell us.

I thought he was out of his bloody mind at the time. The place has an overwhelming powerful good vibe, and even the air smells different there.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 01/25/22 at 02:49:18

I may as well share one of the more humiliating stories that came from there...

When I turned 16 and could drive up there by myself, I got a summer job helping to set up a new place on the property so while I was there I had my own room set up in the castle and had full run of the place.

One of the big things in the 1970's was CB radios, and I enjoyed the hobby mostly as someone who just listens to what's going on and occasionally striking up a conversation with someone if they are close enough. Usually a mile or less away because I just had a hot-rodded walky-talky most of the time.

I was told that tower at Stronghold is actually the highest point in the state of Illinois, (no idea if it's true) and I knew it had a nice antenna on top of it and there was a base station with a real microphone down in the office of the kitchen connected to it. So one night I went in there and fired up the radio and it didn't take long to figure out I had some serious range. Before too long I somehow got into a pissing match with someone on the air and said some belligerent things with some profanity which is as I was told at the time illegal. Plus I didn't have a ham license which would make it a lot worse if you got caught.

Feeling drunk with power after dominating the air for a moment I decided to go for a walk around the property and smoke a cigarette just to make myself feel really tough. I didn't really smoke at the time, but at that age you're pretty brain dead.

About 11 minutes into my walk, seconds after I lit the cigarette I was stunned to hear sirens on the property and they were coming right towards me and fast! It was so impossible because this is private property few even know about, it's 11:30 at night, and even the entrance to the property is gated.

It could only be one thing. They were coming to get me. I almost shit my pants. I ran down the road and dove into the woods and waited for them to go buy, which they did! Heart firkin pounding I watched them pull up to the castle and go inside trying to find me. It was just blowing my mind so hard I couldn't believe it!

Time to split. I know places in the woods they'll never find me and off I ran. After about 2 hours of not hearing anything I got curious enough to creep back to see if they were still there. They were gone. I went to my room and tried to sleep. The following morning I discovered one of the staff had had a heart attack and had to be taken to the hospital.

Thank God I'm not still this stupid. But this is what happens when you grow up in a Leave it to Beaver bubble where cigarettes, sex, rock'n roll and profanity will get you a special spot in hell.

Steve

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Brian on 01/25/22 at 04:17:21

It is brave of you to share that. I am unwilling to tell any of mine.

"this is what happens when you grow up in a 'Leave it to Beaver bubble' where cigarettes, sex, rock'n roll and profanity will get you a special spot in hell."
Yep. I remember that.

Best wishes, Brian

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Mannytheseacow on 01/25/22 at 04:33:42

Very interesting. I grew up in Illinois and have surveyed most of the rivers from St. Louis to Chicago to LaCrosse and never heard of that castle on the Rock River. Looks beautiful.
BTW, the highest point in Illinois is Charles Mound, near the town of Scales Mound in the NW corner of the state.
Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Lon on 01/25/22 at 08:20:01

That story resonated with me. I too am the son of a minister, and I too spent that age in a small town bubble under his shadow after being in a paradise of an African boarding school where everything made sense and I didn't have to misbehave as a result.

I've moved back into the same area forty plus years after having escaped it and I'm so glad I didn't stay here and assimilate and develop the backwards thinking I see around me more often than not. Now I can enjoy the beauty and the peace of the area, but it was no place for an adolescent or young man.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/15/22 at 04:50:04

Lon,

I knew we had a deeper connection... and agreed. The bubble was a severe handicap until it finally popped.

Also explains our mutual appreciation for pipe organs!

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by JBzen on 02/15/22 at 11:53:29

I see 1 hour tours are available at Stronghold. Indiana Dunes NP is new. One more innate attraction might convince Karen to do a road trip. I think Peoria is somewhere near [smiley=tunes26.gif] Darn rabbit when down the hole again.

John

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:00:26

This special place is still on my mind for some reason and last night I woke up with an idea involving it that had me up for several hours.

BTW here is what it looks like now...

click to enlarge

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:04:00

Before the snow...

There are trails all over the property which I found out is bigger than I thought -- over 300 acres.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:11:27

Really nice for chill out walks... especially when it's not pitch black and you're not hearing sirens bearing down on you ; )

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:16:24

This part here is called the carriage house. It has several bedrooms and it's own kitchen.

click to enlarge

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:45:07

So the idea that hit me in the middle of the night was to have DECFEST here in this castle!. We were at capacity last year, and had it not been for covid there would have been well over twice as many attendees and that would have been too many to realistically handle. We need a place that is scalable. We have 1 acre, we need up to 350 acres... like this property.

Imagine driving in on Friday, checking into this castle, finding a room in the castle for your stuff, and then having full run of this castle by ourselves for 2 days and nights.

I would set up 3 listening rooms that went day and night. There is a large kitchen behind this table so no way to miss breakfast, lunch or dinner, and no reason to leave the property.

click to enlarge

So as you look at the rest of these pictures, imagine having DECFEST here. If it's meant to be perhaps our collective consciousness will make it happen. I can promise you if it did, you would never forget the experience.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:48:16

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Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:51:38

click to enlarge

This is the main entrance / front door in the center of the picture under the windows of the great hall.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:54:26

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Here is the front door as viewed from inside the entrance hall.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:56:59

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Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 02:58:43

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Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:00:28

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Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:03:17

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Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:08:44

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This is what it looks like in October.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:12:38

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Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:13:59

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Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:15:18

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This nook overlooking the pool would be one of the three/four listening rooms.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:21:07

This would be the main gathering room, central to everything. It has a piano and lots of room.

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It's too big for a listening room due to the echo, but perfect for hanging out, and actually the piano sounds pretty decent in there. It's like a natural reverb. This would become the nucleus of the fest. And for the first time we wouldn't have to worry about rain. When you're not in one o the listening rooms, or out for a walk or in the dining room eating or in your bedroom, you are here relaxing with everyone else.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:23:51

Here is the secret chapel hidden behind the library bookshelf secret door. Sorry I didn't take these miserable pictures, but it's all we have right now.

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The 4th listening room.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:28:39

The library, a perfect place for a headphone listening room is where you find access to the chapel.

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God bless the hinges on that bookcase, because it has to have been opened at least 400,000 times since I played with it as a kid. I know the front door on my house can't do that.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:38:23

So you have a few people chilling out at the table here having a Decware and ZMF headphone experience while Randy conducts his Betsy Baffle magic in the secret chapel. This is the passageway behind the bookshelf leading to it.

So as you can well imagine, in a castle there is a lot of room to spread out, yet this place isn't too big so it remains very cozy. Especially when you have no choice but to become family in the dormitory type sleeping arrangements and you all eat together during your stay.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:43:36

This is that magic place where people bump into each other in the night trying to remember how to get to a particular room... I'm just imaging some of the Decfest regulars in combination with some good beer trying to find the matrix channel and getting lost around this point. Also it is about the time I imagine someone getting the idea to hook up a radial speaker in the center of the tower floor to see what it sounds like at 3:00 A.M.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:44:52

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Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:46:12

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Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:49:29

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Here is a picture of the lodge that is walking distance to the castle. It has modern, more private accommodations.

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 03:57:23

I can see it happening but do not know yet how far in advance (years?) it would have to be booked, or what dates would be available but I think it's well worth looking into if there would be an interest in such an adventure.

The cost wouldn't be any different than going to Axpona or any other audio show. I'm just wondering if you think it would be more fun to check out all the industries audio gear at some hotel, or get drunk in a castle for two days and nights listening to Decware gear?

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by lazb on 02/18/22 at 04:00:10

In the castle with Decware gets my vote!! I thought for a minute there you were contemplating buying the castle, Steve!!!

Title: Re: The Castle I almost grew up in.
Post by JBzen on 02/18/22 at 09:09:49

I'll place my reservation now for a couple of bunkbeds on the fourth floor :)

Sounds like a nice affair and will take the burden off all prep/post work involved doing it at home. Like doing a gig in and out. Hope there is a slot and enough attraction making it happen.

John

Title: Re: Castle I almost grew up in... that you might see!
Post by Steve Deckert on 02/18/22 at 16:36:26

That's a good one. Castles are like boats. Only fun when someone else owns and maintains it and invites you aboard.

Title: Re: Castle I almost grew up in... that you might see!
Post by Dr3wman on 02/18/22 at 16:50:53

That is a a great idea! What a blast it would be!

Title: Re: Castle I almost grew up in... that you might see!
Post by Earthbound on 07/21/22 at 19:58:23

Any follow up on the castle idea for Decfest 2022?

Title: Re: Castle I almost grew up in... that you might see!
Post by BicycleJoe on 07/24/22 at 01:10:51

https://youtu.be/4E1qCAPJJPE.
LIVE Spanish Castle Magic
My Cousins in Scotland went to School inside a partially dilapidated Castle in Glasgow called Crookston Castle. Crookston Castle is a ruined medieval castle in the Pollok area of Glasgow, Scotland. It is located some 5 miles (8 km) south-west of the city centre, on a hill overlooking the Levern Water, just before its confluence with the White Cart Water. Crookston Castle was built by the Stewarts of Darnley around 1400, and is set within earthworks constructed in the 12th century. Once the property of the earls and dukes of Lennox, the castle was extensively repaired following a siege in 1544, and it is the only surviving medieval castle in Glasgow.