Waylaid on the Road to Riches

Pollopel Island? A ruined castle in the Hudson River? Do we make this stuff up?

Of course not, gentle readers. Bannerman Castle and Pollopel Island are, in fact, real places, located close to scenic Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, a mere stone's throw from the Headless Horseman's old stomping grounds.

According to everything we've been able to dig up, the castle is not open to the public and is quite a dangerous place to visit (or attempt visiting. . .there really are nasty currents in the river around the island). It is also infested with deer ticks, dread carriers of Lyme disease. A lovely way to get a glimpse of Bannerman Castle is to take a train from New York City to Albany. . .about an hour and a half after your departure, look out the left side of the train, and sooner or later you will glimpse the turrets on Pollopel island!

If you aren't planning on making this train trip soon, check out these fascinating spots:

• Castles of the United States provides a state-by-state index of castles and ruins in our fair land. This page also links to The Bannerman Castle Home Page, which provides a comprehensive history of the island and the wacky Bannermans. We also love the fact that the island was rumored to be haunted for centuries before it was even seen by Dutch explorers over 300 years ago. Cool!
• A fabulous site of photographs of Bannerman Castle can be seen by clicking here. Apparently, two years ago, a professional lighting designer illuminated the spooky ruins. . .and the results are creepy and stunning.