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All the United States Vermont South Hero Miniature Castles of South Hero

Miniature Castles of South Hero

A gardener's enduring labor of love is spread throughout a small Vermont town.

South Hero, Vermont

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andrewvolent
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A castle on its leafy grounds.   Don Shall/Used With Permission
One of Barber’s castles.   Don Shall/Used With Permission
A castle up close.   Don Shall/Used With Permission
Another view of a castle.   Don Shall/Used With Permission
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About

South Hero is a small, island town of fewer than 2,000 people, but its unique collection of miniature stone castles gives it a grand, fairytale feel. The castles were the passion project of Harry Barber, a Swiss immigrant-turned-local gardener, who built the stone fortresses as tributes to his home country.

Barber left his native Switzerland at age 21 after losing part of a finger in a mining accident. Accounts of his journey to North America vary, but he eventually settled in South Hero after marrying a local. He would work various jobs there for the rest of his life, carving out his legacy by adding these castles to the properties he gardened.

After the first few castles showed up, demand grew quickly. Each was made modestly from fieldstone, yet each is unique—some even have electrical wiring and running water in the moat! Others have drawbridges, glass windows, flags, and long spiral staircases. Local lore has it that the castles were so beloved by locals that they even became bartering chips.

Barber tragically died by suicide in 1966, but a selection of his castles continues to beautify South Hero to this day. They do honor to both his native and adopted homes.

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Castles Islands Roadside Attractions Miniatures

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The easiest way to see these castles is by biking around the island. There are several scattered along the main roads that are visible to passersby. The island is about a 25-minute drive from Burlington. 

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Added By

andrewvolent

Edited By

matthewtaub, GetWeird98

  • matthewtaub
  • GetWeird98

Published

August 13, 2018

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Sources
  • https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/vermont/barber-castles-vt/
  • https://urbanpostmortem.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/southhero/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Hero,_Vermont
Miniature Castles of South Hero
South Hero, Vermont
United States
44.645323, -73.302353

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Hero

South Hero

Vermont

Places 2

Nearby Places

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South Hero, Vermont

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Hero

South Hero

Vermont

Places 2

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