Offbeat L.A.: Rubel Castle- A Dreamer’s Masterpiece in Glendora

Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Rubel Castle (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

Everyone loves a good fairy tale. Here in Los Angeles that is no exception. Rather, one thing that feeds this city’s mystique is that this is a place where the impossible is possible, a place where straw is spun from gold and where dreams can really come true for believers. The magical story of Rubel Castle is one such legend and is a perfect Hollywood tale.

A horse statue on the Rubel Castle property (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

A horse statue on the Rubel Castle property (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

Once upon a time, the year being 1940 exactly, a boy named Michael Rubel was born in a land of bright blue skies and endless orange groves of a foothill town called Glendora. Michael’s Mom was an ex-Greenwich Village Follies dancer and though the family was of average means, he grew up surrounded by her elaborate parties and extremely famous Hollywood party guests such as Bob Hope, Alfred Hitchcock and even Dwight Eisenhower. Michael was a ne’er do well, failing in school and with no real interest in ever having a career or an occupation. It looked like the future might be dim for him. From an early age the only thing that really drove him was constructing elaborate forts, some several stories high.

Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

Inside the courtyard (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

 

But, fellow Angelenos, we all know this story. It is the recipe of success and its ingredients are dreams. Michael was not at a total loss, his soul salvation was that he had charisma. Not merely a little bit of charm can move mountains, but Michael’s was powerful enough that he had a rich benefactor give him 2 1/2 acres of land. He also had hundreds of friends who were willing to donate their time and their resources to helping him build the ultimate fort: a castle.

The building of Rubel Castle started in 1968 and continued for 18 years. It was really a town-wide project, with friends and volunteers lured by a party-like atmosphere of food and drink, but also by their love for Michael and helping him fulfill his crazy dreams. Michael passed away in 2007 and is described as having lived a happy life. His legacy, an elaborate castle made of stones gathered locally and objects found at the Glendora dump had towers , a drawbridge, a functioning blacksmith studio and a fake cemetery in which there are dozens of tombstones, but no actual graves. The fake cemetery was an interesting addition because with every new headstone added it gave Michael the excuse to throw a lively bash for his friends under the guise of a wake. Describing Rubel’s creation it is nearly impossible to interweave enough magic into the story to fully elaborate how special and wondrous and truly dreamlike this place turned out to be. My advice is to visit and take part in the extremely interesting 2-hour docent led tour.

Rubel Castle is now run by the Glendora Historical Society which comprises many members who had known Michael directly and share the same love and pride for the castle that Michael had himself. Tours can be arranged through the Society. There is a small tour donation which goes towards upkeep of the castle.

Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

The drawbridge (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

Photo by Nikki Kreuzer

One of the castle’s sculptures (photo by Nikki Kreuzer)

Rubel Castle: 844 N. Live Oak, Glendora, CA 91741; (626) 963-0419.  glendorahistoricalsociety.org/Castle.html

www.laweekly.com/bestof/2013/award/best-oddball-castle-tour

 

 

 The Crossroads of the World, The Bunny Museum,

Nikki Kreuzer

About Nikki Kreuzer

Nikki Kreuzer has been a Los Angeles resident for over 30 years. When not working her day job in the film & TV industry, she spends her time over many obsessions, mainly music, art and exploring & photographing the oddities of the city she adores. So far she has written 110 Offbeat L.A. articles, published at the Los Angeles Beat. As a journalist she contributes regularly to LA Weekly, Blurred Culture and has also been published by Oddee.com, Twist Magazine, Strobe and Not For Hire. Nikki is also a mosaic artist, radio DJ and published photographer. Her photography has been featured in exhibit at the Museum of Neon Art, in print at the LA Weekly and in exhibit at the Neutra Museum in Los Angeles. She has recorded with the band Nikki & Candy as bassist, vocalist and songwriter, directing and appearing in the 'Sunshine Sunshine Santa Claus' music video for the band. She co-hosted the monthly radio show Bubblegum & Other Delights on Dublab.com for over two years. Her acting credits include a recent role in the ABC-TV show 'For The People', 'Incident at Guilt Ridge', 'Two and a Half Men', the film 'Minority Report' and 'Offbeat L.A.', a web series, written and hosted by Nikki Kreuzer. Her writing, radio and video portfolio can be found at OffbeatLA.com, her photography work @Lunabeat on Instagram and her music history posts @NikkiKreuzer on Twitter. Find Nikki & Candy music on iTunes or Amazon.
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