Abandoned castle homes1/25/2024 ![]() But once Bannerman arrived, he set about building a grand structure there, inspired by the design of Scottish and Moorish castles. Before he came along, the island had been largely uninhabited tall tales about it being haunted persisted and kept would-be settlers away. Bannerman, who was born in Scotland but raised in Brooklyn, accumulated and sold surplus military goods from a young age, and began his catalog business following the war.īannerman needed a place to store his cache of retail goods-which included weapons, uniforms, and gunpowder-and thus, the storehouse on Pollepel Island was born. ![]() In the decades following the Civil War, it was the center of entrepreneur Francis Bannerman’s northeastern retail empire. Though the structure may look like it was once a rich family’s enormous estate, its origins are actually a bit more humble. (Of note: Tours are not wheelchair accessible, unfortunately.) ![]() And while Pollepel Island and the castle itself are largely cut off from the public, they’re accessible for tours throughout summer and fall, and a fantastic reason to take a day trip upstate. This is Bannerman’s Castle, a 19th-century relic that has been slowly crumbling into its surrounding environs. Known as Pollepel Island, it measures just 6.5 acres and isn’t home to much: There’s just one structure, a decaying building that’s hidden amid the trees and other foliage that have overtaken the island. The Town of Ossining provides services.Ībercrombie completed the house in 1927, according to local historian Miguel Hernandez, and named it Elda, an acronym created by the first letters of his four children’s names.If you’ve ever taken the Metro-North along the Hudson line, you’ve likely noticed a petite and desolate land mass in the middle of the Hudson River, just a few miles north of Cold Spring. ![]() After the war, he quasi-retired and built his dream home: a 25-room medieval Scottish-style castle embellished with arched windows and a spiral iron staircase leading to the top of the turret, which offers city and river views.Īppropriately, the singular structure occupies a rocky outcropping at the crest of a ridge in the Town of New Castle for zoning and land use purposes. He joined the Army during World War I, helping to outfit troops overseas. In 1907, Abercrombie sold his interest to Fitch, who preserved the name.Ībercrombie stayed true to his vision and achieved success. His partnership with well-heeled lawyer Ezra Fitch in 1904 dissolved soon after: Abercrombie insisted on selling to affluent clients while the newcomer sought mainstream appeal. He soon began outfitting intrepid explorers Robert Peary and President Theodore Roosevelt. To learn about why this special structure remains lifeless, we must first dive into the story of David Abercrombie and what landed him and his castle here in Westchester County.Īs the clothes indicate, in 1892 David Abercrombie established a high-end rugged wear and outdoor equipment emporium near Wall Street. The question remains: how long will this once lively home stay abandoned? The property is now on the market for $3.1 million, structurally boasts four bedrooms and four full baths, and sits on 49.6 acres of land. The Abercrombie Castle has lived on the market since 2017, with buyers turning a blind eye to its overgrown walls and unlivable rooms. Photos courtesy of Christina DiMinno David Abercrombie of Abercrombie & Fitch fame built a 25-room medieval Scottish-style castle that has long since been abandoned.
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