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  Castle Farms  

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Uploaded: 08/03/10 2:23 AM GMT
Castle Farms
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I was surprised to learn that Michigan does have a castle which was Built by Albert Loeb, the acting President of Sears, Roebuck, and Company in 1918 and owned by Albert Loeb until his death in 1924. The Castle was built in 1918 as a model farm on which prize-winning livestock were raised, as well as where Mr. Loeb showcased the newest farm equipment sold through the Sears and Roebuck catalog. Castle Farms was designed by architect Arthur Heun. The buildings were designed based on the stone barns found in Normandy, France. Local field stone was used in the construction. When construction was completed, the farm was opened to the public. Cheese and ice cream were sold and spectators could watch the local baseball team play. Castle Farms employed 90 people in its prime. In 1924, Albert Loeb died, leaving his son, Ernest Loeb, to run the farm. From 1924 until 1927,The United States was in the midst of an agricultural recession, which preceeded the Great Depression. The Loeb family sold off the livestock and the farm was then rented out for storage during the next 30 years. During the Mid 1960'2, John Van Haver bought Castle Farms and changed the name to Castle Van Haver. The property was used as an art gallery and an art studio. Mr. Van Haver cleared the caved in roofs and added Renaissance touches to the property. Castle Van Haver was opened to the public for tours. From 1959 to 1999, The property was sold to Arthur and Erwina Reibel. The Reibels changed the name back to Castle Farms, and had plans to set up a center for the arts, as well as a medieval tavern. During their ownership, Castle Farms, was host to many rock concerts. In 1999, Mr. Reibel died, and the property went up for auction. From 2001 To the Present, The property was purchased by Linda Mueller, the current owner, whose intentions were to restore it for future generations. An extensive restoration of the buildings and grounds began in 2001. The restoration of Castle Farms was completed in May 2005. Today, Castle Farms is open year 'round for weddings & receptions, festivals & shows, corporate & social events, and castle & garden tours.

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::busybottle
08/03/10 2:26 AM GMT
Fran
What an impressive looking place! Love your description. it adds to the image very well! Really good shot!
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"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes."
::billyoneshot
08/03/10 2:29 AM GMT
This is so cool. I did not know that there was a castle in the U.S. A great find and a wonderful capture.
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Billy
::luckyshot
08/03/10 2:53 AM GMT
Fran - An interesting history for this farm. The restoration looks great - what a place for a wedding! Thad
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If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera. ~Lewis Hine
.Joanie
08/03/10 2:55 AM GMT
Huge, fancy, and gorgeous Fran!!! My, you've come a long way girl! Excellent work!
Joanie
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::0930_23
08/03/10 4:32 AM GMT
Your best to date Fran. You did well with your composition. A little crop on the right side would have completely isolated it.
The information was good reading. An all around good post.

VFS-TicK

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Cameras are like people--sometimes they lose focus.
.Eubeen
08/03/10 4:35 AM GMT
A beautiful looking place Fran. Good lighting and composition of your shot. The sky could use a little work, some contrast perhaps to tone down the highlighting. A lovely and informative narrative.
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There are always two people in every photograph: the photographer and the viewer. - Ansel Adams
.BarnArt
08/03/10 3:05 PM GMT
Very nice place! And thank you for the information as well! Wish more people around here would explain things that well.
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What ever happened to the good ol' days?
.gizmo1
08/03/10 5:00 PM GMT
Wow what a stunning place this is and you have captured it a 100%.It also as the design of a host house that we have in the UK.
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.Susiesun
08/03/10 8:52 PM GMT
**

A very well done photo of this stunning castle, Fran!
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Susie Sun
::tigger3
08/03/10 11:36 PM GMT
You did a marvelous job on this one, and a very good narrative.
=^..^=sandi
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Nature in all her glory is my uplift on life and so is my love of photography. sandi ♪ ♫
.catweasel
08/04/10 1:53 PM GMT
Fabulous shot of this intruiging building, Fran.
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"I'm never going to be famous. My name will never be writ large on the roster of Those Who Do Things. I don't do any thing. Not one single thing. I used to bite my nails, but I don't even do that any more." - Dorothy Parker (1893-1967)
.kindred_spirit
08/12/10 3:52 AM GMT
Beautiful, stunning capture.
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I shut my eyes in order to see.
::LynEve
09/03/10 1:17 PM GMT
I like this very much and really enjoyed your narrative as well.
You have captured fine detail on the stonework and the composition is good.
:)
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The question is not what you look at, but what you see ~ Marcel Proust

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