Era: 1985
Location: Curwood Castle Park to Fletcher Street
In 1985, Owosso made a bold decision to preserve the beauty of its most iconic landmark. A house that stood between Curwood Castle and Comstock Cabin was blocking the view of the historic castle grounds.
Rather than demolish the home, the city raffled it off with one condition: the winner had to move it. The house was carefully transported to Fletcher Street, where it stands to this day.
The move created the open park space that now allows visitors to fully appreciate Curwood Castle and its surroundings. The Shiawassee River, the castle, and the grounds can now be seen as James Oliver Curwood might have envisioned—a literary landmark with room to breathe.
Information contributed by Tim Decker, Kathryn GP, Melissa Wardwell, and Carolyn Shepard.