Spotlight: Southern California - Rubel Castle

Spotlight: Continuing our tour of southern California, this week's spotlight is on Rubel Pharm and Castle in Glendora. This is truly one of those hidden gems along the path less trodden. My mother, who grew up in Glendora, never heard of it until a few years ago. She took me to see it almost two years ago. We took the tour, which was fascinating. I recommend it for anyone who likes to discover the unique, artistic, or quirky things in life.

Location: 844 N. Live Oak; Glendora, CA 91741
Google map to Rubel Castle

Time: For individuals or small groups (11 or less), tours are scheduled every first Sunday, second Tuesday, second Thursday, third Friday, third Saturday, and fourth Saturday of the month at 10 am. Allow a couple of hours for the tour and exploration.

Cost: $10 donation/adult; $5 donation/child (8-12)

Description: Rubel Castle isn't your typical castle. Rather, it is a castle built out of junk. It was built by Michael Rubel and hundreds of friends, aquaintances, and volunteers over a period of 20+ years during the 60's, 70's, and early 80's.
     After purchasing an abandoned citrus packing house, Rubel moved onto the 2 1/2 acre lot with his mother - dancer Dorothy Deuel Rubel. They converted the 200-foot tin structure into a dance hall to host parties in The Tin Palace. Dorothy's friend, actress Sally Rand, never missed a party, and attracted other such celebrities such as Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Alfred Hitchcock.
     Meanwhile, Rubel and a group of his friends decided to build their own palace - one they could live in. They cobbled together a castle out of rocks, cement, spare parts, and junk found in the nearby rock quarry, streets, and junk yards. Although most of the structure is made of rock, it is the odd pieces of junk (like bicycle parts, golf clubs, toasters, etc.) cemented into the walls that make it unique. The finished product covers thousands of square feet and is up to 5 stories high in places.
     As the project grew, so did the donations. In addition to the castle, there is also an authentic caboose, a 74-foot clock tower (complete with a restored 1911 Seth Thomas clock and working chimes), a water tower, a tree house that people actually lived in, the Bottle House (made completely out of bottles), cars dating back to the 1920's, a blacksmith area, a printing press room, a graveyard with discarded tombstones (but no graves), underground dungeons, a drawbridge, and farm animals.

motorcycle wall

Drawbridge

bottle house

clock tower

Rating: 4 1/2 of 5 stars

Things you should know: Tours are available by reservation only at 626-963-0419. There is no live operator, so be prepared to leave a message.
- Although small group tours are only given at limited times (see above), groups of 12-50 may schedule a separate tour 3-4 weeks in advance. Group tours must provide proof of liability insurance or fill out individual waiver forms provided at the website.
Rubel Castle website
- The compound is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The entrance fee donation is tax deductible, and must be paid with cash or check.

Nearby: Raging Waters (San Dimas), Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, Mount Baldy, Hollywood