An Oklahoma man bought a deteriorating 1931 castle for less than $200,000 and spent 3 years turning it into a wedding venue. Take a look at how he did it.

Amanda GohMay 25, 2022, 14:14 IST

Google Maps street view of Franklin Castle in December 2013. The castle was covered in vines and the interiors were in disrepair.Google Maps

Mike Shelton, the owner of a masonry company, bought a historic Oklahoma castle for $180,000 in 2015.
He estimates he's spent around $100,000 over three years to renovate the place.

When Mike Shelton first laid eyes on the Franklin Castle in Oklahoma, it was falling apart. Built in 1931, the castle was a shell of its former self — it was covered in vines and the interiors were damaged by water leaks.

Google Maps street view of Franklin Castle in December 2013. The castle was covered in vines and the interiors were in disrepair.Google Maps

When Mike Shelton first laid eyes on the Franklin Castle in Oklahoma, it was falling apart. Built in 1931, the castle was a shell of its former self — it was covered in vines and the interiors were damaged by water leaks.

Franklin Castle is located in Tahlequah, a city in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. It was built in 1931 by Marion E. Franklin, a Northeastern State University professor.

Google Maps street view of Franklin Castle in December 2013. The castle sat empty for almost ten years before Shelton bought it.Google Maps

The uncut stone walls of the castle's facade had to be carefully repaired, as they had been damaged by vines, Shelton said.

Both the exteriors and interiors of the castle required extensive restoration work.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

Two of the biggest transformations in the castle were the floors and the fireplace.

Shelton replaced the rotten wooden floors with natural stone.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

Shelton overhauled the two existing bathrooms while adding a third.

Both bathrooms in the castle were in bad shape.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

In addition to the castle, Shelton also bought the neighboring lot and turned it into a chapel where people could hold their weddings.

The chapel as it is being built.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

Shelton also brought in a steeple for the compound.

The steeple was salvaged from another church in Missouri and brought in on a truck.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

In all, Sheldon thinks he spent about $100,000 over the course of three years on the renovations.

The main living area.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

The combined kitchen and dining area was formed by knocking down two walls to create an open-concept space.

The open-concept kitchen and dining area.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

The renovated bathrooms have claw-foot bathtubs, which he added because they were in style in the 1930s.

One of the bathrooms after renovation.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

There are five bedrooms in the house, and all of them have vintage furniture and decor.

One of the bedrooms in the castle.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

In the basement, he converted a former coal storage room into a wine cellar.

The wine cellar.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

The completed chapel stands at the back of the castle, with an outdoor patio that overlooks the neighboring Tahlequah Creek.

The completed chapel.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

A spiral staircase in the chapel leads up to the mezzanine floor.

The interiors of the chapel.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

Guests can get married under the steeple, which is now a gazebo in the garden.

The steeple is now used as a gazebo in the garden.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

After a few years of running it as an events venue, Shelton decided it was time to let go of the property.

The exterior.Courtesy of Mike Shelton

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An Oklahoma man bought a deteriorating 1931 castle for less than $200,000 and spent 3 years turning it into a wedding venue. Take a look at how he did it.

When Mike Shelton first laid eyes on the Franklin Castle in Oklahoma, it was falling apart. Built in 1931, the castle was a shell of its former self — it was covered in vines and the interiors were damaged by water leaks.

Franklin Castle is located in Tahlequah, a city in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. It was built in 1931 by Marion E. Franklin, a Northeastern State University professor.

The uncut stone walls of the castle's facade had to be carefully repaired, as they had been damaged by vines, Shelton said.

Two of the biggest transformations in the castle were the floors and the fireplace.

Shelton overhauled the two existing bathrooms while adding a third.

In addition to the castle, Shelton also bought the neighboring lot and turned it into a chapel where people could hold their weddings.

Shelton also brought in a steeple for the compound.

In all, Sheldon thinks he spent about $100,000 over the course of three years on the renovations.

The combined kitchen and dining area was formed by knocking down two walls to create an open-concept space.

The renovated bathrooms have claw-foot bathtubs, which he added because they were in style in the 1930s.

There are five bedrooms in the house, and all of them have vintage furniture and decor.

In the basement, he converted a former coal storage room into a wine cellar.

The completed chapel stands at the back of the castle, with an outdoor patio that overlooks the neighboring Tahlequah Creek.

A spiral staircase in the chapel leads up to the mezzanine floor.

Guests can get married under the steeple, which is now a gazebo in the garden.

After a few years of running it as an events venue, Shelton decided it was time to let go of the property.