Volume 12 , Issue 26

Castles in Oklahoma

Besides Northwest Oklahoma's Castle on the Hill, in Alva, Oklahoma Territory, there are and were other castles of Oklahoma. For instance, there is the Collings Castle at Turner Falls in Davis, Oklahoma.

The Collings Castle is deep in the ARbuckle mountains and surrounded by cascading waterfalls and crystal clear springs. It is the closest thing to a true medieval castle in Oklahoma.

How and who built it? It was built by the former Dean of Education at the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Ellsworth Collings. Collings lived an early 20th century educator's version of the American Dream. Collings rose from humble beginnings in Missouri and became one of the most important men in education.

Ellsworth Collings was born in McDonald county, Missouri, October 23, 1887, earning both his Bachelor's of Science degree in Education and his Associate of Science in Educational Psychology degrees fro the University of Missouri. He began his teaching career in a one-room school during 1908-1909. He proceed in 1919 to the pinnacle of the education profession i n the United States, the Teachers College.

Collings began his 36 year career in higher education at the University of Oklahoma, on June 17, 1922. He wrote at least six books during that time and published a many articles on education. In 1926, the Board of Regents appointed him to the position of Dean of the School of Education. He held that post until his resignation in October, 1945. He retired from OU at the conclusion of the spring semester of 1958. Collings resided at his ranch near Davis until his death, June 18, 1970.

Although the Collings Castle was never a permanent home of the Collings, on special occasions, friends were entertained at the Castle. Very little is known of the Collings Castle and Collings left very little reasons for building it. The Castle is located witin Park of Turner Falls, where two small creeks form from natural springs to merge into a small river. Near the castle, this small river plunges 77 feet off a cliff to form a wide, clear basin of water.

They say the castle complex is actually formed from two castles; a great castle and amuck smaller one off to the side. Above the great castle is a path that leads to the top of the hill to what must have been a small stable area, presumably leading towards Ellsworth's ranch and permanent home. The castle is three stories tall, nearly recreates the realistic feel of Europe's ancient medieval castles. the second castle is only one story tall and is not as commanding, but is still important part of the complex.

They say the Collings Castle is available to tour, but it's all self-paced with little to no information about the castle. It was built in the 1930's and was the summer home for the doctor who built it. It was also the headquarters of the Bar-C Ranch. See Collings Castle on dadzilla165's Flickr photostream.
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