Spooky Caverns Lie Beneath This Unassuming Castle

Patricia Chang

Bill Gilbert never imagined he'd own the castle all his friends thought was haunted when he was a kid. Clearly, life doesn't always turn out how you expect, because he bought the 145-year-old stone structure known as the Albion Castle back in 2012. While he luckily hasn't run into any ghost occupants, he has gone to great lengths to restore the home to its original glory.

Curbed has the full story on the renovation (and the dreamy shots of the eclectic interior — we're talking natural wood and stone combined with lots of bohemian accents). 

Patricia Chang

But here's the historical nugget we found most intriguing: Back in 1870 two British brothers stumbled upon a natural spring in San Francisco. Inspired by Norman castles, they decided to use the fresh water to produce beer and built the Albion Ale and Porter Brewery right on top of the spring. Eventually, the company went out of business and the structure has since had several different owners (including a water company). 

Through it all, underground filtration systems has always remained with the castle. And while the cavern-like space super creepy, we're totally impressed that Gilbert took the time (and spent the money) to update the system, making the reservoirs functional and the water drinkable. How cool is that?

See the spookiness for yourself, and take the full tour at Curbed.  

Patricia Chang

While Gilbert doesn't plan on starting his own beer brewing business anytime soon, he does hope to rent out the space for weddings and events in the future. And we must admit, "Haunted cave" does actually sound like a wedding theme Pinterest would love.


[via Curbed

By Lauren Smith