By Lenny Guckenheimer
A man’s home is his castle, literally
I have begged my love, Caron, to go on a day trip to a quaint, whimsical place in Central Florida. When her sister and brother-in-law came to visit, we went off to Solomon’s Castle. I had been there several times years before with my late wife, Carol. It is always worth the trip to see again.
Solomon’s Castle offers whimsical art created from scraps and found objects. A word of caution: if you don’t like puns, this place is NOT for you. Examples: a sitting cat with a large red heart attached to his chest. The name of the piece? “Cat with a Heart On!” A sculpture of a cow with a hole in the belly? You guessed it! “Holy Cow.”
A craftsman of many skills, Howard Solomon wanted a remote location to build his house and workshops. He found property in rural Ona in the early 1970s and started building his dream home: a fairy-tale castle, complete with turrets and a drawbridge guarded by knights in armor.
Howard scavenged for scrap materials long before upcycling became trendy. He asked neighbors to give him materials or equipment they didn’t want. He used discarded aluminum printing press plates for the exterior of the castle. Worn-out gears, pistons, and auto parts became statues. He fashioned chains to look like hair. He made objects of all sizes, from small figurines to a full-sized elephant made from oil drums.
Because every castle must have a moat, Howard dug a moat. What to put in a moat? A boat! And so, there is the “Boat-in-the-Moat,” a full-service restaurant offering home-made delicacies. The chicken potpie is heavenly! Savory and creamy, with fresh vegetables and tender chicken inside a buttery crust.
Until his death in 2016, you could see Howard walking the grounds or puttering on some piece in a workshop. I treasure a figurine Howard gave me that I had watched him make.
Solomon’s Castle is a two-hour drive from Gulfport on FL-64. Tours are available Tuesday through Sunday, 10am-4pm. Visit www.solomonscastle.com or call 863-494-6077.