Curwood Castle

Curwood Castle is a small replica of a Norman castle built in 1922 by James Oliver Curwood for use as his writing studio. Curwood (1878-1927) was a well-known author of adventure novels and an ardent conservationist. He chose to build his studio overlooking the Shiawassee River where he had played as a boy. The castle's exterior is clad in stucco embedded with fieldstones that Curwood selected personally. Curwood's will specified that the castle been given to the City of Owosso upon his death, and it is now operated as a historical museum by the Owosso Historical Commission. Curwood Castle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

In 1922, American adventure novelist James Oliver Curwood chose this spot near his home on the Shiawassee River to build a writing studio. The building is patterned after a Norman castle and was designed by Michigan architect William Chase. Because the castle was not Curwood's residence, it does not contain a bedroom or other living amenities; Curwood lived in his family home just a few steps away from his studio.

Curwood was a prolific and successful writer of popular fiction, and many of his stories were made into movies. He had begun his writing career as a journalist with the Detroit Tribune, but in 1907 he was hired by the Canadian government to tour the northern Canadian wilderness and write stories to encourage tourism. He kept his home base in Owosso. Many of Curwood's later novels were written in the castle's tower, overlooking the river. The author used his studio for only five years; he died of an infection in 1927 at the age of 48.

Curwood's will specified that his writing studio be given to the City of Owosso after his death, provided that any surviving wife and children did not want it. In 1943, Curwood's widow and surviving daughter relinquished their claim on the property, and it passed to the City of Owosso. Two years later, in the summer of 1945, the city opened a youth recreation center in Curwood's former studio. The building was later used as an office by the local board of education, and was opened as a historical museum in 1970.

Curwood Castle is a Michigan Registered Historic Site, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was designated a Literary Landmark by the Friends of Libraries USA in 2006. Owosso holds an annual Curwood Festival each summer to celebrate the town's famous native son.

Curwood Castle, Owosso, Michigan, National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, National Archives and Records Administration, listed September 3, 1971.

"Curwood to be Buried in Owosso Tomorrow," Detroit Times, August 15, 1927, p.3.

"Owosso to Accept 'Curwood Castle,'" Detroit News, December 1, 1943, p.32.

"Curwood Castle to be Museum for Owosso," Grand Rapids Press, December 1, 1943, p.7.

"Curwood Castle Opens as Center," Detroit Times, August 25, 1945, p.18.

Swiggett, Hobart Donald. James Oliver Curwood, Disciple of the Wilds: a Biography. New York: Paebar Co, 1943.

 Blaker, Christopher N. "James Oliver Curwood." Michigan History Magazine, vol. 103, no. 2, Mar.-Apr. 2019, p. 12.

Sanforn Map Company. Fire Insurance Map of Owosso, Shiawassee County, Michigan, August 1924, plate 18.