From the WGHF Archives 05.21.15

This week’s picture takes us to Castle Hill, a mansion located just over the Lake County line, southwest of Killarney on John’s Lake. It was a grand estate, complete with a water tower that resembled a lighthouse. It was built and furnished by a Mrs. Bovington, an heir of an uncle connected to the Montgomery Ward department store family. A Mr. J.K. Marshall was the home’s next owner, who eventually sold it to Charles Mather-Smith, the son of Oakland’s colorful Grace Mather-Smith. The photograph, from March 1966, depicts Lakeview High School Humanities students Mark Alexander, Pam Kelley and Jim Keller posing on the beautiful home’s tower staircase. Castle Hill was razed in 2013.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, which seeks to preserve our heritage and architecture while creating new cultural experiences, is celebrating its third decade with the debut of its new History Research and Education Center.