[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E197-E198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE 100 YEAR HISTORY OF CURWOOD CASTLE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2023

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a full 
century since the construction of a legendary landmark on the banks of

[[Page E198]]

the Shiawassee River in Michigan's 7th Congressional district, which 
today is known as Curwood Castle. It was March 14, 1923 when the great 
American author James Oliver Curwood broke ground on an impressive 
structure to serve as his writing studio. While Owosso, Michigan may 
not be the first place you'd expect to find a replica of a French 
chateau, I am so thankful Mr. Curwood felt most inspired by his beloved 
boyhood home and chose to build his beautiful treasure there.
  At the time, Curwood was one of the most popular authors in the 
world, having just published his 24th novel, with dozens of Hollywood 
movies based on his stories. His best-selling adventure and wilderness 
stories were largely molded by his travels in Canada, the Hudson Bay 
area, the Yukon, and Alaska. But after a tour of Europe the author came 
home, inspired to write a different tale by building a castle similar 
to the ones he'd seen in the French countryside.
  As a father of three children, Curwood longed for a quiet place where 
he could write and host guests. His mother sold him the piece of land 
next to his childhood home for one dollar, and with the help of Lansing 
architect Harold Child, Curwood designed a glistening yellow Norman-
style chateau and adorned the facade of the building with rocks as a 
tribute to the piles of rocks he and his brother had made as children. 
Unfortunately, Curwood died just four years after his masterpiece was 
completed, but the building lives on as a testament to his creativity 
and love of adventure.
  In addition to his prolific writing career, Curwood was a passionate 
environmentalist and served on the Michigan Conservation Commission. 
It's not surprising then that he wished for this beautiful building to 
have new life after his passing, and that he bestowed the castle to the 
city of Owosso in his will. Over the years, the castle served as a 
youth center and even housed the Owosso Public Schools Board of 
Education, but since 1970 it has been open to the public as a museum 
highlighting the career and legacy of James Oliver Curwood. Every year 
in early June, this beautiful castle serves as the center of Owosso's 
Curwood Festival, drawing thousands of visitors to this small community 
in mid-Michigan to celebrate the life and works of its cherished son, 
in the place he created.
  In it's 100 year history, Curwood Castle has been many things: a 
writer's retreat; a Hollywood office; and the site of fabulous parties. 
Today it stands as a singular architectural treasure, the legacy of a 
remarkable life and a reminder of glorious days gone by. It has been 
inscribed in the National Register of Historic Places, and only fitting 
that I recognize its significance here today. Long may this Michigan 
castle stand.

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