Kimball Castle for sale in Craigslist

[BroadHopper]

They had several solid buyers in the past. I do know originally the last descandent willed the property 'to the birds' and that the Audodon Society were to be the director. Things must have happen since, as right now, they are trying to sell the castle and 20 acres.

My guess, is that they don't want the expense to tear it down?

[NoBozo]

While snooping around yesterday, I found this little item. It seems the Castle is on the list of "National Register of Historic Places". I wonder if that would have any bearing on the saleability of the Castle..ie Covenants, etc. (Can't do dis, must do dat...) NB

Number 24 on the list in Belknap County, NH:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa..._New_Hampshire

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

While snooping around yesterday, I found this little item. It seems the Castle is on the list of "National Register of Historic Places". I wonder if that would have any bearing on the saleability of the Castle..ie Covenants, etc. NB

Number 24 on the list in Belknap County, NH:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa..._New_Hampshire

It has no bearing at all on the saleability, future use, the ability to tear it down, etc.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

They had several solid buyers in the past. I do know originally the last descandent willed the property 'to the birds' and that the Audodon Society were to be the director. Things must have happen since, as right now, they are trying to sell the castle and 20 acres.

My guess, is that they don't want the expense to tear it down?

The castle is privately owned, and has not been governed by the original trustees in some time. It was bought for resale intent, which flopped. The plans to create a resort bombed, even though they were approved by the town and state. The cost alone to put the new road in from Route 11 directly up the hill was an estimated $2mil.

[BroadHopper]

http://www.kimballcastle.com/index.html

This link has not been updated since 2007. From the article written on the castle, the town of Gilford is the current owner. The AG office has been after the town to do something.

This link gives you an idea how bad the castle is and from the looks of it, The town might as well give the castle away!

http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/kimball.htm

I also recall that SyFy's "Ghost Hunters" were seeking permission to explore the castle.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

http://www.kimballcastle.com/index.html

This link has not been updated since 2007. From the article written on the castle, the town of Gilford is the current owner. The AG office has been after the town to do something.

This link gives you an idea how bad the castle is and from the looks of it, The town might as well give the castle away!

http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/kimball.htm

I also recall that SyFy's "Ghost Hunters" were seeking permission to explore the castle.

That is incorrect. Even in 2007 the town was not the owner. I have a copy of the deed on my desktop. The current owners, who are out of Nashua bought it in 2001 from Historic Inns of New England LP, who bought it from the town previously.

There is also an annual stipend that the owner of the parcel have to pay the town of Gilford for the next 30+ years, around $2500 per year. This was negotiated back when Gilford sold it originally.

Gilford has to approve changes in use, as it is zoned resort commercial presently, as does the State AG of Charitable Trusts.

[BroadHopper]

My dad was involved with dealings with the estate back in the mid 1970's when a real estate mogul from the US Virgin Islands wanted to completely restore the property and the surrounding gardens to its original splendor, and respect the will of Charlotte, 'no commercial developments'. Bob, I remember his name had deep pockets and fought for a year to purchase the property. He even went as far as leasing the property and not buying it with intent to leave the land to the sanctuary. He just wanted to live in the castle during the summer months.
I think he purchased the property at the old steamer dock and the 'guest house' property next to it on Old lake Shore Road. They were originally part of the property. My dad did some restoration work on the old guest house.
I had the opportunity to explore the interior of the buildings at the time and they were truly beautiful. You can follow the garden path down to the 'bypass' and it continues down to the lake.

From what I heard the trustees did not want anyone living in the castle.