Beckett's Castle, Gothic Revival summer house in Cape Elizabeth, US.
Beckett's Castle is a Gothic Revival summer house built from gray fieldstone laid in irregular courses, creating a solid, fortress-like appearance. The structure features two main stories with a three-story tower and steeply pitched gables that face toward Casco Bay.
Portland lawyer Sylvester Beckett commissioned the structure between 1871 and 1874, making it an important example of Gothic Revival architecture from the 1800s. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 recognized its significance as a preserved landmark.
The house served as a gathering spot for Portland's writers and artists who met here to share meals prepared over a traditional fireplace. This connection to the local creative community gave it an important role in the region's cultural and social life.
The property sits at the end of Singles Road branching off Shore Road and remains privately owned, requiring advance arrangements to visit. Visitors should know there is no public parking available near the site.
The building was designed with a three-part window near the main entrance that brings light into the interior in an unusual way. These subtle architectural details give the summer house its distinctive character and visual interest.
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