A Texas castle rental? That’s right! A miniature castle, representative of castles in long-ago Germany and full of German medieval lore, keeps alive old world history right on the southeastern edge of Lake Livingston’s shores. Lake Livingston sits in South Texas’ Piney Woods’ region.
Before Texas became the Republic of Texas in 1836, and as early as 1830, the founders of the Constitution of the Republic of Texas lured and recruited young, strong German men to come to Texas and make their fortunes.
The Schloss Sheppard Castle: What Can You See And Do?
The Schloss Sheppard Castle offers a one of a kind vacation for romantic getaways, a small family get together, a place for a few friends to relax and enjoy, or a girl’s or boy’s weekend in the country. The castle gives access to a German guest house like what you can see today in an ancient German village. This castle sleeps only five people and the guest house also sleeps five in a remote retreat, abundant with nature.
Arrival At The Castle
When you first arrive at the castle, your eyes will behold an exterior built in two sections. Large stone bricks with crenellations, large wooden beams, a second story room with a balcony (the master bedroom), an entrance with a heavy wooden door equipped with a drawbridge, a second-story castle walkway, and a pathway around it, greet you by a roaring, bronze, lion statue in a tree-covered acreage resembling Germany’s Black Forest.
Adorning the castle’s stunning interior are heavy wooden ceiling beams, an iron knight, tapestries, a four-poster bed draped in curtains, throne chairs, a working fireplace, a potbellied stove and AC units, a loft with two beds, one toilet, and only a simple kitchen without a stove, but a fridge and a microwave. The guest house provides a kitchen and a bath. The loft is not acclimated to young children or elderly people because of a steep ladder to reach it.
Amenities At This Texas Castle Rental
For a Texas castle rental, you’d be surprised at the amenities. Visitors must cook on the grill or wood smoker outside, but the castle provides dishes and goblets. Booking a stay at the Schloss Sheppard Castle includes access to a community pool, a boat ramp, a playground, a pavilion, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Also, visitors can enjoy Lake Livingston State Park and Tigerville Park. Nearby restaurants and quaint shops provide additional entertainment options.
The owners employ a property manager and both are extremely attentive to guest communication with outstanding hospitality. However, its owners advise guests to book early in advance. Guests report a truly amazing experience in gorgeous surroundings.
If you are wondering what there is to do in the area, explore our map of things to do in Livingston, Texas and check out our review of Lake Livingston.
History Of The Schloss Sheppard Castle In Livingston, Texas
German owners built the castle in Livingston, known as the Schloss Sheppard Castle. They moved to Texas, found themselves in like company, and wanted to create a bit of old Germany in their new home. Franz Kafka, German-language writer of visionary fiction, The Castle, his last novel published in 1926. The castle translates into German as Das Shloss. We do not know for sure, but maybe that is from where this Texas castle extracted its name.
Pockets of long-established German communities exist throughout Texas. In Texas, we predominantly speak English, Spanish, and German. Germans began arriving in Texas early in the 19th century, and partly because of early Texas leaders and partly because of a German man by the birth name of Friedrich Diercks and his alias name of Johann Friedrich Ernst. Ernst arrived in America intending to settle in Missouri.
Back then, immigrants had to get to a port somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico to get to Missouri, and Ernst landed in New Orleans. New Orleans taught Ernst about the generous land grants offered to European immigrants throughout Texas. Ernst applied for a grant from Stephen F. Austin’s colony. In 1831, Ernst received a grant of over 4,000 acres in the northwest area of the future Austin County.
The Republic of Texas created an empresarial system to attract European immigrants. Over 35,000 German immigrants moved to Texas between 1836 and 1846. Accordingly, Ernst authored “America letters” to Germany describing “…a land with a winterless climate like that of Sicily… with abundant game and fish…[land] fertile and rich, and awaiting the impress of German labor to make it produce abundantly… taxes [virtually nil]… large tracts of land… available for a surveyor’s fee… hunting and fishing requires no licenses”.
This Texas castle rental is an excellent choice for your next vacation. This is especially true for those who want to experience an unforgettable vacation without breaking the bank.
Author: Kendall Davis
Author: Kendall Davis Company: Lumini Services Kendall currently lives on the shores of Lake Texoma in Texas. She traveled across two-thirds of the U.S. for many years camping at lakes, rivers, and three oceans before motels and hotels if at all possible, and she continuously saw God's presence in nature. Writing for Lakehub allows Kendall to share her experience with God's creations. https://kdavis1836.wixsite.com/luminiwrites
