America’s Original Sherlock Holmes Actor Left Behind a Medieval Stone Castle with Hidden Mirrors in Connecticut

Gillette Castle, Connecticut

You’re looking at the retirement home of William Gillette, the first ever actor to play Sherlock Holmes on stage in 1899. He’s donned the detective’s mantle for over 1,300 times since then.

His portrayal is so iconic, Gillette is even credited with the now-legendary line:  “Elementary, my dear Watson”. So it’s probably no surprise that his own home is just as mysterious as the cases he’s solved.

The Story Behind the Castle’s Stones

Every stone in Gillette Castle was carefully chosen from Seven Sisters Hills in East Haddam’s Hadlyme Ridge. These stones, held together by the steel framework, were picked based on pattern, shade, and form to create walls that look naturally connected.

For instance, the exterior is covered in fieldstone with red mortar for a dramatic dry-wall effect. As the sun moves across the sky, it creates interesting shadows on the castle walls that change shape throughout the day.

The Owners Hid Mirrors All Over the Place

William Gillette, a famous actor and playwright, built secret mirrors into his castle’s walls and furniture. When you’re visiting, look up and you might find these hidden observation spots above the French doors in the Great Hall. The mirrors blend perfectly into the wooden trim.

From his master bedroom, Gillette could see people walking through different (and public) parts of his home without anyone knowing he was watching.

A Mini-Railroad Once Ran in the Property

A small train track once curved through the estate. Gillette operated both a steam-powered and an electric train, each capable of carrying seven passengers on tours around his land. He installed control points along the track to maneuver and manage signals.

After Gillette’s passing, the miniature railroad equipment was relocated to Lake Compounce amusement park in Bristol (1943 to mid-1990s). Lots of famous people sat on these trains, from Einstein to Helen Hayes. While you can’t ride these trains today, one of the original engines sits in the visitor’s center for everyone to see.

Each Door Has a Special Lock

The castle’s 47 doors showcase Gillette’s talent for woodwork and his ingenuity for safekeeping. He crafted the interior doors from hand-hewn southern white oak.

He designed and built each lock with different mechanisms: some use weights, others pivot on special points, and some slide in unusual ways. These latches resemble elaborate Celtic knots and function like a puzzle because you need to move the parts in exactly the right order.

Cats Rule the Place

High up near the ceilings, wooden walkways let cats roam about like royalty. The castle walls hide feeding stations, while special small doors let them move freely between rooms. William Gillette had around 17 cats living with him at the castle, and he was known for his affection towards them.

By the windows, Gillette built platforms where his cats could stretch out and watch the Connecticut River valley below. The castle is also adorned with numerous cat-themed items, including figurines and artwork (about 77 artifacts exist throughout).

The Anti-Fire System Is Quite Clever

Gillette hid a clever fire protection system that connected to a water tower and a sprinkler system above the second-floor living room, ready to put out any fires. The system used a big water tank (approximately 7,000 gallons) on the third floor and let gravity do the work (no pumps needed).

This setup kept the castle safe while staying hidden from view. Following renovations, modern fire alarms and smoke detectors have been integrated into the historic structure.

It Blends Three Different Building Styles

The pointed window arches and a fortress-like appearance scream Gothic revival and add some tall, large windows that allow ample natural light into the interior spaces.

Victorian touches appear in the rounded frames and ornate craftsmanship. The bay windows and multi-paned designs are typical of Victorian homes while the use of towers and turrets is asymmetry at its best.

The Arts and Crafts is a weird blend that brings built-in furniture with simple, clean lines. You can spot these three styles working together all over the castle.

The Castle Also Has Secret Passages

Hidden hallways and rooms run through the castle like a maze of secrets. One notable secret passage leads from Gillette’s study to the foyer, while others hide behind walls or lurk under furniture.

Lever systems integrated into the woodwork activate hidden doors and staircases. A vertical wooden shelving unit in a third-floor hallway pivots to reveal a servants’ staircase, accessible by manipulating a lever in the ceiling. A secret room (accessible by a pull-down ladder) leads you to Gillette’s private retreat next to a fireplace.

Trails Around the Castle Grounds

The castle sits among 184 acres of Connecticut woods on Hadlyme Ridge, overlooking the river valley, with stone steps and wooden bridges that allow you to explore everything in and around the estate.

The walking paths often follow the route of a former narrow-gauge railroad built by Gillette. The grounds include a vegetable cellar and a goldfish pond, showcasing Gillette’s integration of functional outdoor spaces.

Another trail from the castle descends to the riverbank, where you hop aboard the historic Chester-Hadlyme ferry (April through November).

Biomes Around the Castle

Towering oak and maple trees create a woodland canopy around the castle as Red columbine attracts seasonal pollinators like dragonflies and woodpeckers in spring. You catch glimpses of the Connecticut River, where turtles bask on sun-warmed rocks.

The area around the Honey Hill Fault is one of the more seismically active regions in Connecticut, with historical earthquake swarms reported nearby. During a stroll, bask amidst lilies and rare orchids, endemic only to this region near New England.

Castle Becomes a Place for Everyone

Connecticut bought the castle for $29,000 in 1943, just as Gillette wanted. The castle underwent significant renovations from 1998 to 2002 before reopening to the public in 2002. Today, you can walk through the castle’s unique rooms and explore its grounds any time of year.

Address: 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT 06423

Opening Hours:

• Park Grounds: Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset, year-round
• Castle Tours: Available seasonally; typically from Memorial Day Weekend to Columbus Day Weekend. After Labor Day, tours are offered on weekends and holidays only

Entry Fees:

• Park Grounds: Free
• Castle Tours:
  • Ages 13 and over: $6
  • Ages 6-12: $2
  • Children under 5: Free

Please note that only the first floor of Gillette Castle is ADA-accessible. Tour tickets are required for castle entry, but visitors are welcome to view the exterior of the castle and enjoy the park grounds without a tour ticket.