.jpg "Jim, Doug and Karen Carraro Castle Yarnell Arizona")
Jim, Doug & Karen from the turret
A typical tour of Yarnell would normally take about 20 minutes unless you get lucky and meet the current owner of the Carraro Castle. Doug knows his history about about the place and the man you built it and loves to share as he showed us around.
.jpg "Carraro Castle amongst the boulders Yarnell Arizona")
Carraro’s Castle
Some locals call this “Noah’s Ark” or The Castle.
.jpg "Carraro Castle amongst the boulders Yarnell Arizona")
From 1957 to 1964 this was the home of Alessio Carraro, who carved his niche into the granite boulders even naming some of the rocks after the animals they resembled.
.jpg "Eagle head at Carraro Castle Yarnell AZ")
Eagles Head
Carraro was an Italian immigrant and after making his fortune in sheet metal in San Francisco moved to Phoenix in 1928.
Tovrea Castle taken by loydeskildson
He had dreams of building a resort castle surrounded by cactus studded desert. The castle was built and eventually sold to the neighboring stockyard owner E.A. Tovrea in 1931. Tovrea Castle and the Carraro Cactus Garden is now owned and maintained by the City of Phoenix.
.jpg "View of Yarnell from Carraro Castle Arizona")
View of Yarnell from the “Top of the World”
Doug has plans to resurrect Carraro’s dream and build an unusual octagonal house on a small flat area on top of the boulders. The 8 feet on each side base will be topped by another octagon of 24’ feet on each side. Stone steps or a tram will provide transport to him and his wife from the garage/parking area several hundred feet below.
.jpg "Carraro Castle amongst the boulders Yarnell Arizona")
View from inside the remains of Carraro’s living area
Doug walked us all around the area telling about his and Carraro’s dreams for these 3.5 acres of mostly boulders.
.jpg "Carraro Castle amongst the boulders Yarnell Arizona")
Looking down from outside the living area
They currently live in Phoenix and come to Yarnell on weekends where they stay in a small home on the property next door.
.jpg "Jim at Carraro Castle Yarnell Arizona")
Jim in Miracle Grotto
Doug says he gives several tours a day to people who stop and admire what’s left of Carraro’s Castle.
.jpg "Miracle Grotto Carraro Castle Yarnell Arizona")
His future plans include signs for self-guiding along the many trails.
.jpg "Boulder roof Carraro Castle Yarnell Arizona")
Boulder roof and wall of Miracle Grotto
When Doug first approached us I asked if we were in trouble for trespassing. It turned out to be an excellent surprise tour. And, I highly encourage you to visit FabGrandma’s for a different version.
.jpg "Outhouse Carraro Castle Yarnell Arizona")
Located at bottom of boulder pile near beginning of trail
.jpg "Carraro Castle amongst the boulders Yarnell Arizona")
Carraro’s Castle
Some locals call this “Noah’s Ark” or The Castle.
.jpg "Carraro Castle amongst the boulders Yarnell Arizona")
From 1957 to 1964 this was the home of Alessio Carraro, who carved his niche into the granite boulders even naming some of the rocks after the animals they resembled.
.jpg "Eagle head at Carraro Castle Yarnell AZ")
Eagles Head
Carraro was an Italian immigrant and after making his fortune in sheet metal in San Francisco moved to Phoenix in 1928.
Tovrea Castle taken by loydeskildson
He had dreams of building a resort castle surrounded by cactus studded desert. The castle was built and eventually sold to the neighboring stockyard owner E.A. Tovrea in 1931. Tovrea Castle and the Carraro Cactus Garden is now owned and maintained by the City of Phoenix.
.jpg "View of Yarnell from Carraro Castle Arizona")
View of Yarnell from the “Top of the World”
Doug has plans to resurrect Carraro’s dream and build an unusual octagonal house on a small flat area on top of the boulders. The 8 feet on each side base will be topped by another octagon of 24’ feet on each side. Stone steps or a tram will provide transport to him and his wife from the garage/parking area several hundred feet below.
.jpg "Carraro Castle amongst the boulders Yarnell Arizona")
View from inside the remains of Carraro’s living area
Doug walked us all around the area telling about his and Carraro’s dreams for these 3.5 acres of mostly boulders.
.jpg "Carraro Castle amongst the boulders Yarnell Arizona")
Looking down from outside the living area
They currently live in Phoenix and come to Yarnell on weekends where they stay in a small home on the property next door.
.jpg "Jim at Carraro Castle Yarnell Arizona")
Jim in Miracle Grotto
Doug says he gives several tours a day to people who stop and admire what’s left of Carraro’s Castle.
.jpg "Miracle Grotto Carraro Castle Yarnell Arizona")
His future plans include signs for self-guiding along the many trails.
.jpg "Boulder roof Carraro Castle Yarnell Arizona")
Boulder roof and wall of Miracle Grotto
When Doug first approached us I asked if we were in trouble for trespassing. It turned out to be an excellent surprise tour. And, I highly encourage you to visit FabGrandma’s for a different version.
.jpg "Outhouse Carraro Castle Yarnell Arizona")
Located at bottom of boulder pile near beginning of trail
This looks like a very magical place Gaelyn. It’s nice that the new owners are so open and want to share this little rock kingdom of theirs.
And Tovrea Castle is quite the amazing site. The builder certainly did manifest his dreams into the physical world around him.
What an amazing place to have lived. I enjoyed the photo of the living room where you could see the windows. I could feel myself there along with others from long ago. Very nice!
Very interesting. Such are the dreams of men, to build something unique and lasting. But like many castles, they are abandoned or sold.
Looks like a fun place to explore. I like those quirky rock animals and the pretty stones in the miracle grotto. Your photos and narrative are fascinating!
Sometimes the “accidental” tours turn out to be the best because the tour guide is so passionate about his or her place.
thanks again for the great hospitality and the good company.
What a wonderful idea and place Gaelyn. It is wonderful that people leave behind these places for us which we can build on.
Thanks for leaving the note on my blog. I frequently stop by your blog to see your latest adventure. Very interesting life you have. I’m sure you are very happy.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I like your blog too. Yarnell reminds me of outback Australia, same scenery. It must be great living on the road seeing new places all the time.
What a fun and interesting place to visit. I am glad that you all got a personal tour of this unique dream, and got to hear the dreams of the new owners. It sounds like this site draws in artistic dreamers. Lovely photos of your visit.
Very interesting post. The castle looks like a wedding cake.
Quite a place! I’d love to see this for myself! Gotta love the outhouse, huh? But what happend to the door?
What an unexpected delight! Thinking you’re in trouble for trespassing and ending up getting a royal tour! YOU ARE SO LUCKY!!! I think it would be so fun to hang out a few days with you!
Can someone please provide directions to the Grotto from Yarnell?
Gaelyn, Thank you for your answer by email. For some reason, my response to your email been returned to me so I am sending it this way. I’ve traveled that stretch of road a number of times and don’t remember the St. Joseph signs. Is the site closer to Yarnell or Congress? How far from Yarnell should I start to pay attention for the signs?