Every community is unique. If you look hard enough, you can find something special almost anywhere you look. Especially if you’re looking around this little town on the coast of Lake Champlain. It’s home to some of the most unique public sculptures in the state. Take a trip to the quirky side of Vermont and check out this small town that’s dotted with tiny castles. Let’s take a closer look at these awesome tiny castles in South Hero, Vermont.
Located in Grand Isle County right in Lake Champlain, South Hero is primarily known as a summer destination and vacation spot. However, it’s hiding a very magical secret.
Flickr/Don Shall
The town is actually sprinkled with fairytale castles! They were built by South Hero local Harry Barber during the first half of the 20th century.
Flickr/Don Shall
Barber was born in Switzerland and immigrated to Vermont in the 1920s using a cash settlement granted to him after a mining accident severed his finger. He ended marrying a woman from South Hero and settled in the town for life.
Flickr/Don Shall
Barber began constructing the castles out of fieldstone and other materials. Some of the castles feature real glazed windows, furniture, fireplaces, and even dungeons. A few are even wired for electricity and running water.
Flickr/Don Shall
His castles were so beloved by the residents of South Hero that they were perpetually in high demand. Some local residents even used the castles as bargaining chips.
Flickr/Don Shall
Sadly, Barber committed suicide in 1966. Since then, many of his creations have been demolished or lost. However, at least five full castles and several smaller structures remain.
Flickr/Don Shall
To see these castles for yourself, hop on a bike and travel around the main roads of South Hero. Most are located on private property but are visible from the roads. Don’t forget your camera! This has to be one of the most unique things to see in Vermont.
Flickr/Don Shall
Did you know about this fascinating side of South Hero? Know the locations of any publicly accessible miniature castles? Let us know in the comments! For more of the quirkiest finds in Vermont, check out this pirate-themed escape room.
Flickr/Don Shall
Flickr/Don Shall
What other roadside attractions in Vermont have you seen that are worth visiting? Tell us which hidden gems in Vermont you’ve found.
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Address: South Hero, VT 05486, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
tiny castles in South Hero, Vermont August 31, 2020 Luke What is the most scenic town in Vermont? Answering this question is really challenging, for there are just so many scenic towns in Vermont. Attempting to answer this question will assuredly lead to disappointing some while gratifying others. But with that being said, here are the five most scenic towns in Vermont: 1. Manchester; 2. Woodstock; 3. Grafton; 4. Stowe; 5. Shelburne. Of course, there are many other scenic and worthy towns to visit. If you are still interested in finding more picturesque towns in Vermont, check out the 17 most picturesque towns in Vermont. Where are the most beautiful places in Vermont? Vermont has so many charming and beautiful places, so this list will attempt to incorporate places from all over the state, but we can’t cover all of them. So, without ordering the list, here are the most beautiful places in Vermont: Quechee Gorge, Lake Willoughby, the Notch Road through Mt. Mansfield, atop Camel’s Hump, Jay Peak, and Moss Glenn Falls. Happy exploring. What are the most beautiful hikes in Vermont? One of the most scenic hikes in Vermont is the trail up Mt. Mansfield, which provides some of the most spectacular views in our state. If you are interested in hiking Mt. Mansfield, we highly recommend taking the Sunset Ridge Trail; the trail is easily accessible from Underhill State Park and is well marked. Some other beautiful hikes in Vermont are 1. Mount Pisgah Trail, 2. Camel’s Hump Trail, and 3. Lye Brook Falls Trail. Happy hiking!
The OIYS Visitor Center
tiny castles in South Hero, Vermont
August 31, 2020
Luke
What is the most scenic town in Vermont? Answering this question is really challenging, for there are just so many scenic towns in Vermont. Attempting to answer this question will assuredly lead to disappointing some while gratifying others. But with that being said, here are the five most scenic towns in Vermont: 1. Manchester; 2. Woodstock; 3. Grafton; 4. Stowe; 5. Shelburne. Of course, there are many other scenic and worthy towns to visit. If you are still interested in finding more picturesque towns in Vermont, check out the 17 most picturesque towns in Vermont. Where are the most beautiful places in Vermont? Vermont has so many charming and beautiful places, so this list will attempt to incorporate places from all over the state, but we can’t cover all of them. So, without ordering the list, here are the most beautiful places in Vermont: Quechee Gorge, Lake Willoughby, the Notch Road through Mt. Mansfield, atop Camel’s Hump, Jay Peak, and Moss Glenn Falls. Happy exploring. What are the most beautiful hikes in Vermont? One of the most scenic hikes in Vermont is the trail up Mt. Mansfield, which provides some of the most spectacular views in our state. If you are interested in hiking Mt. Mansfield, we highly recommend taking the Sunset Ridge Trail; the trail is easily accessible from Underhill State Park and is well marked. Some other beautiful hikes in Vermont are 1. Mount Pisgah Trail, 2. Camel’s Hump Trail, and 3. Lye Brook Falls Trail. Happy hiking!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Answering this question is really challenging, for there are just so many scenic towns in Vermont. Attempting to answer this question will assuredly lead to disappointing some while gratifying others. But with that being said, here are the five most scenic towns in Vermont: 1. Manchester; 2. Woodstock; 3. Grafton; 4. Stowe; 5. Shelburne. Of course, there are many other scenic and worthy towns to visit. If you are still interested in finding more picturesque towns in Vermont, check out the 17 most picturesque towns in Vermont.
Where are the most beautiful places in Vermont?
Vermont has so many charming and beautiful places, so this list will attempt to incorporate places from all over the state, but we can’t cover all of them. So, without ordering the list, here are the most beautiful places in Vermont: Quechee Gorge, Lake Willoughby, the Notch Road through Mt. Mansfield, atop Camel’s Hump, Jay Peak, and Moss Glenn Falls. Happy exploring.
What are the most beautiful hikes in Vermont?
One of the most scenic hikes in Vermont is the trail up Mt. Mansfield, which provides some of the most spectacular views in our state. If you are interested in hiking Mt. Mansfield, we highly recommend taking the Sunset Ridge Trail; the trail is easily accessible from Underhill State Park and is well marked. Some other beautiful hikes in Vermont are 1. Mount Pisgah Trail, 2. Camel’s Hump Trail, and 3. Lye Brook Falls Trail. Happy hiking!
