Loeb Farm Today known as "Castle Farms" Charlevoix Co MI

Charlevoix, MI (Loeb Farm) (1920s) - Contributed by Paul Petosky

One of the most unique and spectacular locations found in the Charlevoix area is historic Castle Farms. Built in 1918 by Albert Loeb (acting president of Sears, Roebuck & Company), Loeb Farms (as it was known then) was designed as a working model dairy farm to showcase products available in the Sear’s catalog. 35 European craftsmen worked with local men and local field stone to fashion this Northern Michigan castle based on the architecture of the soaring stone towers found in barns and castles of Normandy, France. For 10 years, Loeb Farms flourished; then came the Great Agricultural Depression. Following the family’s 1927 decision to close the farm, the buildings were used for storage purposes, and eventually fell into disrepair. In 1962, John VanHaver purchased 100 acres of the original Loeb Farms, hoping to create an artist’s Mecca. After restoring some of the buildings, he renamed the property Castle VanHaver and in 1962 opened to the public for tours. By 1969, financial concerns forced him to sell the property to Art and Erwina Reibel, who changed the name to Castle Farms. A massive concert stage was built, and from 1976-1993, Castle Farms played host to more than 100 different rock groups, including Aerosmith, the Doobie Brothers, Chicago, Willie Nelson, and The Beach Boys. Following Art Reibel’s death in 1999, Castle Farms was put up for sale. In 2001, Linda Mueller of Long Beach, Mississippi, became the fourth owner. Her restoration of the buildings, faithful to the original designs, occurred over a period of four years, and by 2005, Castle Farms welcomed visitors for weddings, tours, celebrations, art fairs, and social events. Today, Castle Farms is one of the Midwest’s premier wedding venues. It is also the site of many art events including the Fiber Arts Festival, July 23-24, 2011, Royal Craft Show, September 3-4, 2011, and the Grand Bridal Expo, October 16, 2011. Open daily for self-guided tours, guests are able to tour the extensive grounds and gardens. Along the way, visitors can play a game of gigantic chess, feed the fish in the rainbow trout pond, wander through the hedge maze, and search for gnomes and fairies that make the Enchanted Forest home. Railroad buffs, plus kids of all ages, love the Castle Garden Railroad, which includes 1,600 feet of track and 35 trains operating at one time. The lines include 1890s era steam and 1950s era diesel locomotives with six different tracks on three levels. Built in 2008 and expanded in 2010, this garden railroad is easily one of the largest (if not THE largest) working model railroads in the State of Michigan! History is alive at Castle Farms with antique trains, castles, and toys displayed throughout the buildings, along with memorabilia from royal families worldwide. A museum showcases items from 1918, the era when The Castle was built. Garden lovers will appreciate the magnificent garden settings found throughout the grounds … from the whimsical Alphabet Garden, formal English gardens set amidst backdrops of stone walls and soaring towers, and gentle flowing lawns leading into romantic cobblestone courtyards. The extensive gardens at The Castle come into bloom in varying stages throughout the year, providing a constant background of color. Source: Discover Northern Michigan Destination - Visit Charlovoix Michigan

Clarence Darrow up in Michigan September 23, 2011|By James Vol Hartwell Saturday Columnist World renowned defense attorney Clarence Darrow spent a few days in Northern Michigan in 1924 while conducting background and character research on Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold, summer resorters in Charlevoix. Young Leopold and Loeb had been charged with the murder of the boy Bobby Franks in Chicago. The pair were carrying out one of Loeb's fantasies -- to commit the perfect crime. Darrow, the famed "Attorney for the Damned," was hired to defend the boys, because Darrow was an eloquent foe of capital punishment. Richard Loeb's father was the owner of Sears & Roebucks and Leopold's father was a renowned doctor. The parents had great hopes for their paranormal prodigies, prior to the failed plot. The boys were so confident of their perfect crime that they led the police around giving tips on how to catch the culprits. But after Leopold's glasses were discovered in the river were Bobby Franks' body was found they admitted their guilt. Petoskey News

Charlevoix, MI (Loeb Farm) (1920s) - Contributed by Paul Petosky