Age-old fairy tales and fantasies are alive and well.

by Contributor

In Short
The story of Mystery Castle is one of bygone Phoenix, when folks could settle in a limitless desert and build more or less whatever they fancied without thought of city codes or neighbors' sensibilities. The 18-room, 8,000-sq. ft. castle was built by Boyce Luther Gulley between 1930 and 1945 to satisfy the fantasies of his young daughter, Mary Lou. Its wacky design and imaginative construction make for an entertaining visit and a rare glimpse of old Arizona. Mary Lou still lives there, conducting tours and recounting how her father filled the castle with antiques and in the process of fulfilling her dream, regained his health.