Solomon’s Castle

(Wauchula, FL) Hi 72 Lo 60 --  We had some storms come through during the night and two inches of rain that we badly needed in this area.

Margie and Carolyn arrived around 11am from Davenport, FL. We visited with them at their park a couple of weeks ago, and now they're returning the visit.














Margie's husband Roger couldn't make it. After we talked for a while we went to lunch at the Bread Box Restaurant in downtown Wauchula, then to Solomon’s Castle, a "roadside attraction" about 30 minutes from us out in the country, near the small town of Ona.
 
Solomon Castle is quite a unique place. Years ago Howard Solomon bought some land "out in the swamp" as he says, and built his home on it completely out of junk that everyone else would throw away.  The outside walls are made from old tin plates from newspaper printing presses where Howard worked at one time.


Howard Solomon, who is always on site and is one of the tour guides.


His wife also conducts tours.


His wife (sorry we didn't get her name) took us on a 45-minute tour through their living quarters and the rest of the castle. It's full of all kinds of objects and reproductions of famous artwork, all made completely from all kinds of engine parts, pieces from farm equipment, and various other junk that Howard accumulates. She shares his offbeat sense of humor and every object had a humorous story or joke associated with it. After her tour, we accompanied Howard down a short path to his workshop area. He owns 13 classic old Model A Fords, and he showed us one in a garage.

This is his workshop. It's very organized and has thousands of tools. Every man's dream!

The Boat in the Moat contains a restaurant that's run by his family members. They do all the cooking and everything.


It even has cannons.

The castle door is guarded by a black knight and a white knight. They're named Knight and Day. :) Here's the black knight. Made of junk of course.

These windows have the zodiac signs etched the glass.

Howard has stuff hanging on every bit of wall space available. He's been asked if he has any plain walls, and he said "Yes, this is my plane wall." (Carpenters and woodworkers will get the joke.)

This is "the fish that got away."

These animals are made from hundreds of wire coat hangers.


Various vehicles made from motor parts.


An example of framed wall art made from every day junk.


The amount of artwork in all the rooms is very overwhelming. And it's all for sale! We didn't inquire about any prices, but I'd think they're pretty expensive. Howard is an artistic genius, and it was a special thrill to see his work. If you're every in southwest Florida it's definitely worth a visit. Admission is $10.00.

We got home said goodbye to our friends. We'll see them again next winter. We got a pizza for dinner then went to the weekly music jam session at the club house.  They play great music, mostly country and a little gospel. Next week will be the last music session of the season.  Things are starting to wind down here in paradise.

Please see the blog of Margie to get even more coverage.

26 days till we head north.