St. Augustine, Florida: Castle Otttis

Access to Castle Otttis is completely unavailable, with locked gate and multiple No Parking signs up and down the road in front of the castle. Impressive view of the turrets from the street, but otherwise the structure is completely blocked from all angles by vegetation.

Castle Otttis -- yes, Otttis with three T's -- is a sculpture of beauty that is a site to be seen. Call Rusty and see if you can get on his calendar - it worth the trip.

This is a a real castle built by Rusty Ickes and Ottis Sadler. It was originally built without a permit, but once the castle topped the tree line a permit was given for a garage structure, so this castle is really designated as a garage. The interior has been finished with custom woodwork in the style of a 10th century Irish church.

There was so much curiosity about the castle that Mr. Ickes opened it up one Sunday a month for tours and regularly rented it out for weddings, but the neighbors, who didn't like all the cars on the road, complained to the zoning board, who cited Ickes with zoning violations. Further, it was found that the castle's electrical system was never inspected. All of this led Ickes to permanently close Castle Otttis to the public.

Going North on A1A about 8 miles from Historic St Augustine, on the lefthand side is a castle. This sculpture stands above the tree line and quickly draws your attention. If you make the left turn down the street you will find a sign and a mailbox. If you leave your address in the mailbox you can get more information. The sign states that the sculpture was built in remembrance of Jesus Christ.