My apologies for such a long interval between updates. I'm finding it hard to regularly update 2 blogs -though this one gets many more views and comments! I have a stockpile of stuff to add, so if you can stand the wait please check back periodically. This post shows some photos of one of the most interesting buildings I've seen in the past few years.
On a trip to Ely, Minnesota last fall we couldn't help but run into this massive, castle-looking building at on the corner of Camp St. and 2nd Avenue. The 4 & 1/2 story turret is hard to miss as you're driving up the hillside just 1 or 2 blocks of the main street. The yellowed and ornate brickwork immediately tell you something of it's age but it's impressive architecture is not like anything you typically see in Minnesota. This place is truly a "castle" with multiple dormers and bay windows making up complex shapes especially along it's roof line. Though there must have been nearly 30 windows on the one side, we couldn't see one that was not broken out or boarded up.
As I took pictures in awe, I noticed the roof seemed in fairly decent shape and likely redone recently. Also some of the protruding window sections and also the top level of the turret had been resurfaced in a "stucco" like method. There were for-sale signs on the long side -and even they were busted up, telling me that the place has likely been for sale for a long time already. Upon driving around to the back side, we could see a bit more restoration had been started, including white paint over the yellow bricks.
Upon returning home and looking the place up online, I found it had been built in 1903 to serve as a Hospital. I would have
loved to walk around inside and/or seen pictures of what it used to look like inside. The building is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and it is easy to see why even without knowing much more about it. If you'd like to own it, just visit this website!
http://www.elywildwoods.com/component/hotproperty/?view=property&id=222
On a trip to Ely, Minnesota last fall we couldn't help but run into this massive, castle-looking building at on the corner of Camp St. and 2nd Avenue. The 4 & 1/2 story turret is hard to miss as you're driving up the hillside just 1 or 2 blocks of the main street. The yellowed and ornate brickwork immediately tell you something of it's age but it's impressive architecture is not like anything you typically see in Minnesota. This place is truly a "castle" with multiple dormers and bay windows making up complex shapes especially along it's roof line. Though there must have been nearly 30 windows on the one side, we couldn't see one that was not broken out or boarded up. 
As I took pictures in awe, I noticed the roof seemed in fairly decent shape and likely redone recently. Also some of the protruding window sections and also the top level of the turret had been resurfaced in a "stucco" like method. There were for-sale signs on the long side -and even they were busted up, telling me that the place has likely been for sale for a long time already. Upon driving around to the back side, we could see a bit more restoration had been started, including white paint over the yellow bricks. 
Upon returning home and looking the place up online, I found it had been built in 1903 to serve as a Hospital. I would have loved to walk around inside and/or seen pictures of what it used to look like inside. The building is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and it is easy to see why even without knowing much more about it. If you'd like to own it, just visit this website! http://www.elywildwoods.com/component/hotproperty/?view=property&id=222
Enjoyed the photos and commentary.
ReplyDeleteFriend of mine lived in Ely when he was a kid, his father would tell him ghost stories about this castle.
Used to live in Hastings, never knew that mill was there. Next time I head down that way, will have take a walk through there. Thank you. Keep up the great work.
I learned to tie my shoes on the front steps. lived in the apartment on the 1st floor right side. Norm the painter lived down stairs in the early 70s 71-3
ReplyDeleteI lived in that building as a child in the early 70's. The castle portion was always locked up and unused. We used to beg the caretaker(Norman) to let us play up there. He always said no, but did show it to us a time or two. Norman lived in an apartment in the basement on the corner. There were storage lockers and a hand wring washing machine available for use in the basement too. The first floor had 2 apartments. The second floor had 3. The second floor hallway always spooked me as a child and I rarely went up there.
ReplyDeleteI recently found a website called coloradoparanormal.net that has additional information and video on the Castle.
There is an article called A Great Journey. Google, Dr. Anterro Ferdinand Tanner. It's a great little read about his arrival in Ely and him building the "Castle" or what became known as, The Mayo Clinic of the North.
I wish there was more information available on this building.
Thanks for the blog.
Just wondering if there has been any "Ghost Investigations" done recently??
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I visit Ely every year in July. We got an opportunity to tour the Ely Castle in 2011. It was amazing on the inside.
ReplyDeletejust go through the unlocked front door or the back door is missing the screen it has work equeptment on the middle floor the upstairs is sketchy to walk on it just has an old bath tub i didnt go downstairs but it looks cool they say its mainly haunted downstairs but thats where they would have corpses
ReplyDeletei was in there the closer i got to the basement the colder it got but thats normal when i got to the front door inside i was freezing i could see my breath it was 80 right outside the door
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother lived there.She had been a nurse in Ely. My dad and uncle were born in Ely and grandpa had been the city mechanic.
ReplyDeleteWe watched the moon landing there on her little old TV.
It was a great place.
I used to live just across the street. My cat like to "break" into the place. I still see it all the time as I still live in Ely.
ReplyDeleteWe saw this building while recently in Ely and were curious about it until a local stopped and explained its history. Very cool buildiong, it would be so fun to fix it up into something new.
ReplyDeleteThe castle has been purchased but not sure what it will become. The same gentleman also purchased the old theatre and building connected to it. It is to be restored to a functional theatre sometime in 2015
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting my grandma in Ely and I stumbled upon the "castle" I'm very vasinated by its history if anyone has anymore than what's already post please inform me. I knocked on the door just for the fun of it and I got a knock back. nearly took my breath away. Please let me know of any story you've had with the castle I'm blown away
ReplyDeleteI lived there with my mother from 1974-1981 or so. Another family lived there with kids the same age and we used to skateboard in the basement during the long winters. No ghosts to report - they must of moved in later.
ReplyDeletethe "castle" is and abandoned hospital I see it yearly because I vacation to a camp close to ely and my grandmother has told be that it is haunted they also sell shirts for it in a gift shop around the block from it and I saw it 2 days ago actually as I have just gotten back and I have heard noises around the building
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to what the Tanner Hospital looked like in the day.
ReplyDeletehttps://ebch.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shipmanhosp.jpg?gid=3
Tanner Hospital was built in 1905 and named for Finnish doctor Anterro Tanner.
Stumbled across this blog that was on Pinterest. I'm planning a trip to Ely, and I'll need to add this on my list of things to check out. Thank you!
ReplyDelete